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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 - Union Territory Tax (Rate): To notify specialised agencies entitled to claim a refund of taxes paid on the notified supplies of goods or services or both received by them under UTGST 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 clause (xiv) of section 21 of the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (14 of 2017), read with 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:- - United Nations or a specified international organisation shall be entitled to claim refund of union territory 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.
- Foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India, or diplomatic agents or career consular officers posted therein shall be entitled to claim refund of union territory tax paid on the supplies of goods or services or both received by them subject to, -
- that the foreign diplomatic mission or consular post in India, or diplomatic agents or career consular officers posted therein, are entitled to refund of union territory tax, as stipulated in the certificate issued by the Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, based on the principle of reciprocity;
- 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 authorised by him, shall furnish an undertaking in original, signed by him or the authorised 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;
- that in case of supply of goods, concerned diplomatic mission or consulate or an officer duly authorized by him will produce a certificate that,–
- the goods have been put to use, or are in the use, as the case may be, of the mission or consulate;
- the goods will not be supplied further or otherwise disposed of before the expiry of three years from the date of receipt of the goods; and
- in the event of non-compliance of clause (I), the diplomatic or consular mission will pay back the refund amount paid to them;
- 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;
- the refund of the whole of the union territory 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 - Union Territory Tax (Rate)
Q1. What is Notification No. 16/2017-UTT(R)?
Answer: It is a GST notification identifying entities eligible to claim refunds of UTGST paid on eligible supplies.
The notification mainly covers the United Nations, specified international organizations, diplomatic missions, and consular posts.
Q2. When did the notification become effective?
Answer: The notification became effective from 1 July 2017.
This coincided with the introduction of GST in India.
Q3. Does the United Nations qualify for GST refunds?
Answer: Yes.
The United Nations is specifically listed as an eligible entity, subject to certification regarding official use.
Q4. What is a specified international organization?
Answer: It is an organization recognized by the Central Government under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947.
Only notified organizations qualify.
Q5. Can embassies claim GST refunds?
Answer: Yes.
Foreign diplomatic missions and consular posts may claim refunds subject to reciprocity and documentation requirements.
Q6. What is the principle of reciprocity?
Answer: It means tax privileges are granted based on equivalent treatment by the foreign country.
India generally extends benefits where similar privileges are available to Indian missions abroad.
Q7. Are diplomatic agents personally eligible?
Answer: Yes.
Diplomatic agents and career consular officers may claim benefits subject to prescribed conditions.
Q8. Must GST be paid first?
Answer: Generally yes.
The notification provides a refund mechanism rather than an upfront exemption mechanism.
Q9. Are certificates mandatory?
Answer: Yes.
Various certifications and undertakings are required depending on the claimant category.
Q10. Can purchased goods be sold immediately?
Answer: No.
The notification contains restrictions on disposal of goods within three years in specified cases.
Q11. What happens if conditions are violated?
Answer: Refunds may become recoverable.
The mission or eligible entity may need to repay the refund amount.
Q12. Who issues diplomatic eligibility certificates?
Answer: The Protocol Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
These certificates play a crucial role in determining eligibility.
Conclusion
Notification No. 16/2017-UTT(R) plays an important role in integrating international diplomatic privileges into India's GST system. By allowing eligible international organizations and diplomatic entities to claim refunds of UTGST, the notification balances tax administration with India's global obligations.
For diplomatic missions, international organizations, tax professionals, and government departments, understanding these refund provisions remains essential for proper GST compliance and administration.
Download PDF: Notification No. 16/2017 - Union Territory Tax (Rate)
More Information: https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/
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