AlwaysFree: India Extends Tax Exemption On Export Freight

India’s finance ministry on Thursday said the government had decided to extend the exemption of the 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on both air and ocean export freight until September 2021. The waiver was first announced in January 2018 which was valid until September 30, 2018. The exemption was then repeatedly extended for a year until September 30, 2020. However, the announcement took place in the late evening of the day, leaving exporters worried that the government would not extend the waivers. Exporters welcomed the extension, deeming it crucial, especially amid weak demand and high container rates due to supply disruptions as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.