CBIC have issue clarification on determination of Place of Supply in two case-
Case 1– Services provided by Ports i.e Place of supply in respect of various cargo handling services provided by ports to clients
Issue– Various services are being provided by the port authorities to its clients in relation to cargo handling. Some of such services are in respect of arrival of wagons at port, haulage of wagons inside port area up-to place of unloading, siding of wagons inside the port, unloading of wagons, movement of unloaded cargo to plot and staking hereof, movement of unloaded cargo to berth, shipment/loading on vessel etc. Doubts have been raised about determination of place of supply for such services i.e. whether the same would be determined in terms of the provisions contained in of Section 12(2) or Section 13(2) of the IGST Act, as the case may be or the same shall be determined in terms of the provisions contained in Section 12(3) of the IGST Act.
Clarification– It is hereby clarified that such services are ancillary to or related to cargo handling services and are not related to immovable property. Accordingly, the place of supply of such services will be determined as per the provisions contained in Section 12(2) or Section 13(2) of the IGST Act, as the case may be, depending upon the terms of the contract between the supplier and recipient of such services.
Case 2- Services rendered on goods temporarily imported in India i.e place of supply in case of services rendered on unpolished diamonds received from abroad, which are exported after cutting, polishing etc.
Issue- The place of supply in case of supply of various services on unpolished diamonds such as cutting and polishing activity which have been temporarily imported into India and are not put to any use in India.
Clartification– Place of supply in case of performance based services is to be determined as per the provisions contained in Section 13(3)(a) of the IGST Act and generally the place of services is where the services are actually performed. But an exception has been carved out in case of services supplied in respect of goods which are temporarily imported into India for repairs or for any other treatment or process and are exported after such repairs or treatment or process without being put to any use in India, other than that which is required for such repairs or treatment or process. In case of cutting and polishing activity on unpolished diamonds which are temporarily imported into India are not put to any use in India, the place of supply would be determined as per the provisions contained in Section 13(2) of the IGST Act.
Reference of Sections use above:
Sectin 12(2) of IGST Act
The place of supply of services, except the services specified in sub-sections (3) to (14)
(a) made to a registered person shall be the location of such person;
(b) made to any person other than a registered person shall be, ––
(i) the location of the recipient where the address on record exists; and
(ii) the location of the supplier of services in other cases.
Section: Sectin 12(3) of IGST Act
The place of supply of services, ––
(a) ) directly in relation to an immovable property, including services provided by architects, interior decorators, surveyors, engineers and other related experts or estate agents, any service provided by way of grant of rights to use immovable property or for carrying out or co-ordination of construction work; or
(b) by way of lodging accommodation by a hotel, inn, guest house, home stay, club or campsite, by whatever name called, and including a house boat or any other vessel; or
(c) ) by way of accommodation in any immovable property for organizing any marriage or reception or matters related thereto, official, social, cultural, religious or business function including services provided in relation to such function at such property; or
(d) any services ancillary to the services referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c),
shall be the location at which the immovable property or boat or vessel, as the case may be, is located or intended to be located:
Provided that if the location of the immovable property or boat or vessel is located or intended to be located outside India, the place of supply shall be the location of the recipient.
Section: Sectin 13(2) of IGST Act
The place of supply of services except the services specified in sub-sections (3) to (13) shall be the location of the recipient of services.
Provided that where the location of the recipient of services is not available in the ordinary course of business, the place of supply shall be the location of the supplier of services