The council recommended the reduction of GST from 18% to 12% on all kinds of cartons — including cartons, boxes, and cases made of corrugated paper or paperboard and non-corrugated paper or paperboard.

Harshwardhan Chauhan, the State Minister for Industries in Himachal Pradesh shared on X (formerly Twitter), “Attended the 53 GST council meeting presided by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman in which GST rates on carton boxes reduced from 18 % to 12% which will benefit the apple growers of Himachal, on our request and continuously raising it in the council,” (sic).

The GST council has decided to lower the tax rate on milk cans, solar cookers—whether single or dual energy source—cartons, boxes and cases such as those used for packaging fruits from 18% to 12%.

The GST Council took many decisions to provide relief to taxpayers in terms of trade facilitation, reducing compliance burden and making compliance easier.  

During the meeting, GST exemption was given for some services, and a uniform rate of GST was fixed for goods. Apart from this, Aadhaar authentication will be rolled out, dealing with fake companies and fraudulent input tax credit claims.