Govt relaxes GST price sticker rules: No mandatory revision for pre-Sept 22 stock, easing FMCG transition

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs on Thursday announced that companies manufacturing, packing, or importing goods before September 22 will not be obligated to place revised price stickers on unsold pre-packaged items after the change in GST rates.

Replacing its earlier advisory of September 9, the ministry said companies may choose to voluntarily place revised price stickers on unsold packages made before September 22, as long as the original price remains clearly visible.

India’s leading biscuit and confectionery manufacturer Parle Products’ vice president Mayank Shah said the new notification will ease the transition to the GST regime.


"Applying new price stickers to the existing stock lying at various stock points was a big challenge for the FMCG industry. It's a big relief given by the government and eases the entire transition process," said Shah.

“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,” the ministry said.
The government has also eased Rule 18(3) of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011.

Manufacturers and importers will now only need to circulate price change notifications to wholesalers and retailers, with copies sent to the Director of Legal Metrology at the Centre and Controllers of Legal Metrology in all states and union territories.

The government further clarified that any unused packaging material or wrappers printed with old MRPs may be used until March 31, 2026, or until stocks are exhausted, whichever is earlier, provided corrections to the retail sale price are made using stamping, stickers or online printing.

It also stated that declaring revised unit sale prices on such unsold pre-packaged commodities or unused packaging materials is not mandatory, though companies may do so voluntarily if they wish.