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[F. No. 334/1/2017-TRU]
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Revenue)
New Delhi, the 28th June, 2017
Notification No. 16/2017 - Central Tax (Rate): To notify specialized agencies entitled to claim a refund of taxes paid on the notified supplies of goods or services or both received by them under CGST Act
GST: [TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA, EXTRAORDINARY, PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (i)]
G.S.R.….(E).-In exercise of the powers conferred by section 55 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017), the Central Government hereby specifies, -
- United Nations or a specified international organisation; and
- Foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India, or diplomatic agents or career consular officers posted therein,
for the purposes of the said section subject to the following conditions:-
a. United Nations or a specified international organisation shall be entitled to claim refund of central tax paid on the supplies of goods or services or both received by them subject to a certificate from United Nations or that specified international organisation that the goods and services have been used or are intended to be used for official use of the United Nations or the specified international organisation.
b. Foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India, or diplomatic agents or career consular officers posted therein shall be entitled to claim refund of central tax paid on the supplies of goods or services or both received by them subject to, -
i. that the foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India, or diplomatic agents or career consular officers posted therein, are entitled to refund of central tax, as stipulated in the certificate issued by the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, based on the principle of reciprocity;
ii. that in case of supply of services, the head of the foreign diplomatic mission or consular post, or any person of such mission or post authorized by him, shall furnish an undertaking in original, signed by him or the authorized person, stating that the supply of services received are for official purpose of the said foreign diplomatic mission or
consular post; or for personal use of the said diplomatic agent or career consular officer or members of his/her family;
iii. that in case of supply of goods, concerned diplomatic mission or consulate or an officer duly authorized by him will produce a certificate that,–
iv. in case the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, after having issued a certificate to any foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India, decides to withdraw the same subsequently, it shall communicate the withdrawal of such certificate to the foreign diplomatic mission or consular post;
v. the refund of the whole of the central tax granted to the foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India for official purpose or for the personal use or use of their family members shall not be available from the date of withdrawal of such certificate.
Explanation. - For the purposes of this notification, unless the context otherwise requires, "specified international organisation” means an international organisation declared by the Central Government in pursuance of section 3 of the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities Act) 1947 (46 of 1947), to which the provisions of the Schedule to the said Act apply.
2. This notification shall come into force with effect from the 1st day of July, 2017
(Ruchi Bisht)
Under Secretary to the
Government of India
📚 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Notification No. 16/2017 – Central Tax (Rate)
Q1: What is Notification 16/2017 in GST?
Answer: It allows special entities to claim GST refund.
UN bodies and diplomatic missions can claim refund of GST paid.
Q2: Who can claim refund under this notification?
Answer: Specific entities only.
UN, international organizations, and diplomatic missions are eligible.
Q3: Is GST not applicable to these entities?
Answer: GST is applicable.
They pay GST first and then claim refund.
Q4: What is Section 55 in GST?
Answer: Special refund provision.
It allows certain notified entities to claim GST refunds.
Q5: What is reciprocity principle?
Answer: Mutual benefit between countries.
India gives benefits only if other countries offer similar treatment.
Q6: Can goods be resold after refund?
Answer: No, with restrictions.
Goods cannot be disposed within 3 years.
Q7: What happens if conditions violated?
Answer: Refund must be returned.
Non-compliance leads to reversal.
Q8: Do suppliers need to charge GST?
Answer: Yes, always.
Supply is taxable even if refund is available.
Q9: Is this same as export exemption?
Answer: No, different concept.
Exports are zero-rated, while this is refund-based.
Q10: Who verifies eligibility?
Answer: Ministry of External Affairs.
Certification is issued through protocol division.
Q11: Is this still applicable?
Answer: Yes, active provision.
Always check latest procedural updates.
Q12: Can refund be denied?
Answer: Yes, if conditions not met.
Documentation and eligibility are critical.
Q13: Does this apply to NGOs?
Answer: No, only specified entities.
Regular NGOs are not covered.
Q14: What is “specified international organization”?
Answer: Declared by government.
Defined under UN Privileges Act.
Q15: Where to get GST help?
Answer: Professional support helps.
Many businesses rely on experts for compliance.
Download PDF: Notification No. 16/2017 – Central Tax (Rate)
More Information: https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/
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