Ministry of Consumer Affairs has issued a notification providing relief to manufacturers, packers, and importers of pre-packaged goods following recent GST rate revisions. Effective immediately, companies can continue using existing packaging and unsold stock manufactured before 22nd September 2025 without re-labelling, re-stickering, or re-packaging, provided that retailers are informed of revised GST rates through official circulars. This measure eliminates the earlier requirement to publish revised prices in two newspapers under Rule 18(3) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, thereby simplifying compliance for businesses. Manufacturers are encouraged to sensitize dealers, retailers, and consumers about GST changes through various communication channels, including electronic, print, and social media. Additionally, the Central Government has extended the deadline for exhausting existing packaging materials and wrappers from 31st December 2025 to 31st March 2026. During this period, corrections to retail sale prices (MRP) can be made by stamping, sticker, or online printing as applicable, although declaring revised prices on old stock or unused packaging remains voluntary. This notification aims to streamline legal compliance, reduce operational burdens on industry, and ensure that GST rate cuts are passed on efficiently to consumers, while maintaining transparency and accountability at the retailer level.
I-10/14/2020-W&M
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
Weights and Measures Unit
Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi-110001
Dated: 18.09.2025
To,
1. The Principal Secretaries,
(I/c Legal Metrology)
All States/ UTs
2. The Controllers of Legal Metrology
All States/UTs
Subject: GST revision – Permission by Central Govt., under Rules 33 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, to relax provisions contained in Rule 18(3)-reg.
Sir/ Ma’am,
Pursuant to advisory dated 9.9.2025 on the above subject, the Central Govt., has received representation from industry & trade associations about the need for simplifying the procedure for legal compliance by manufactures and importers of prepackaged commodity in the wake of GST revision.
2. After considering the concerns of the industry and in supersession of earlier advisory dated 09.09.2025, the Central Government, has decided to allow such manufacturers/ packers/ importers/ their representatives who may like to voluntarily affix additional revised price sticker, on unsold packages manufactured before 22nd September, 2025 and are lying with them, provided the original price declaration on the package is not obstructed. In this context, it is underlined that extant Rules do not mandate affixing revised price sticker by manufacturer/packer/ importer/ their representatives on unsold packages manufactured before 22nd September, 2025 and are lying with them.
3. Apart from above, by virtue of powers vested under Rule 33 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, the Central Government, has decided to waive off the requirement in Rule 18(3) to issue Advertisement, about revised prices in two newspapers by manufactures and importers.
4. Consequently, the manufactures/ packers/ importers are now required to send only circulars to wholesale dealers/ retailers, etc. about revised prices with copy thereof endorsed to Director, Legal Metrology of the Central Government and Controller, Legal Metrology of All States/UTs and to ensure price compliance at the retailer level.
5. However, the manufacturers/ packers/ importers shall take immediate measures to sensitise dealers/ retailers/ consumers about revision in GST rates through all possible channels of communication including electronic, print and social media.
6. It is also clarified that any packaging material or wrapper which could not be exhausted by the manufacturer or packer or importer prior to revision of GST, may be used for packing of material upto 31st March, 2026 or till such date the packing material or wrapper is exhausted, whichever is earlier, after making corrections required in retail sale price (MRP) on account of implementation of GST by way of stamping or putting sticker or online printing as the case may be, at any place on the package.
7. Further to Para-6 above, it is informed that the declaration of the revised unit sale price on unsold pre-packaged commodities/ unused packaging material or wrapper bearing a pre-printed MRP is not mandatory. However, manufacturers/ packers/ importers/ their representatives may declare the revised unit sale price voluntarily, if they so desire.
Yours faithfully
(Ashutosh Agarwal)
Director, Legal Metrology
Phone: 011-23389489
Email: dirwm-ca@nic.in
Copy to: All industries/ industry associations/ e-commerce entities/ Stake holders.
