Question – At several places in GST Rate Schedule, the different tax rate has been prescribed for goods “put up in unit containers and bearing a brand name”. What is the meaning of the phrase and how is it affects the registered brand name in GST.

Answer – Initially, the phrase “put up in unit containers and bearing a brand name” was used which was lateron amended for certain entries not for all to be replaced by the words:

put up in unit container and,-
(a) bearing a registered brand name; or
(b) bearing a brand name on which an actionable claim or enforceable right in a court of law is available [other than those where any actionable claim or any enforceable right in respect of such brand name has been voluntarily foregone, subject to the conditions as in the ANNEXURE]”, shall be substituted

Annexure in this regard reads as follows:

ANNEXURE

For foregoing an actionable claim or enforceable right on a brand name,-
(a) the person undertaking packing of such goods in unit containers which bear a brand name shall file an affidavit to that effect with the jurisdictional commissioner of Central tax that he is voluntarily foregoing his actionable claim or enforceable right on such brand name as defined in Explanation (ii)(a); and

(b) the person undertaking packing of such goods in unit containers which bears a brand name shall, on each such unit containers, clearly print in indelible ink, both in English and the local language, that in respect of the brand name as defined in Explanation (ii)(a) printed on the unit containers he has foregone his actionable claim or enforceable right voluntarily.”.