In a major boost to the domestic aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry and to the aviation sector, the Union government has announced that a uniform rate of 5 per cent IGST will apply to imports of parts components, testing equipment, tools and tool-kits of aircraft, irrespective of their HSN classification subject to specified conditions. This policy change is a crucial step towards enhancing the competitiveness of the Indian MRO sector, fostering innovation and efficiency and creating a robust and efficient aviation sector , according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.
The minister in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha said the government has taken several steps to facilitate setting up of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in India through various policy, regulatory and other incentives which include:
i. As part of the announcements made in Union Budget 2024-25, the period for export of goods imported for repairs has been extended from six months to one year. Also, the time-limit for re-import of goods for repairs under warranty has been extended from three to five years.
ii. New MRO guidelines announced on 1st September, 2021 inter alia abolish royalties and build in transparency and certainty in land allotments for MROs in AAI airports.
iii. GST on MRO has been reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent with full Input Tax Credit from 1st April, 2020.
iv. Transactions sub-contracted by foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)/ MRO to domestic MRO are treated as ‘exports’ with zero-rated GST from 1st April, 2020
v. Exempted Customs Duty on tools and tool kits
vi. Simplified clearance processing of parts
vii. 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment permitted via automatic route for MRO