Use of C Form F Form and H form under CST

CST (Central Sales Tax) runs parallel with VAT conditions. To avoid cascading effect of CST and to avail concessions or exemptions, various forms, like C Form, F Form, H Form, etc. have been prescribed which can be issued / utilized by adhering to certain procedures.

Forms under CST

A. C-Form or Form ‘C’

The C Form comes into picture when interstate trade takes place. The buyer dealer of different state issues C Form for compliance of CST Rules of the state of selling dealer. The buyer can purchase goods at concessional rates, against C Form, in the inter-state sale. C Form can be issued only by a registered dealer to another registered dealer. It can be issued, generally, in respect of raw materials, packing materials goods covered by the certificate of registration of the issuing dealer. If the buyer dealer fails to provide C Form, the seller dealer has to pay full CST in due course, therefore it is advisable to obtain appropriate security until C Form is received by the seller dealer in due course.

B. F-Form or Form ‘F’

The F form is required for stock transfer to branches / consignment agents or vice-versa from one state to another without attracting charge of CST. As per section 6A(1) of the CST Act, submission of F form with complete details of movement of goods is mandatory to prove stock transfer. Otherwise, the transaction will be treated as normal central sale for all purposes of CST Act including for charging CST at applicable rates. In fact F Form is an evidence to prove that the goods are sent out to other states on stock transfer basis and not on sale basis. The consignment agent/ branch/ HO receiving such stock transfer consignment is required to issue F Form to the selling outlet (HO/ Branch/ Consignment Agent) or transferror dealer. It may be noted in this regards that if the movement of goods is occasioned on account of sales, the movement will be treated as interstate sales. There are many disputes with the VAT Authorities on this issue so the transfreror unit has to take due care to avoid applicability and attraction of CST on such transfers. These matters are open for investigation by the VATO and are not settled until the assessment order is passed by the VATO in due course.

C. H-Form or Form ‘H’

The H Form under CST is issued when the buyer is an exporter and buys the goods for the purpose of exports. If the exporter buyer issues H form, the selling dealer is not required to charge or pay any CST on the transaction. The selling dealer should obtain Form H from the exporter buyer in due course along with Bill of Lading for onward submission to the VAT Deptt. or else eventually the selling dealer has to pay CST at full rate as may be applicable. Selling dealer should always obtain security to the extent of amount of applicable CST / VAT which is not charged due to anticipated issuance of Form H and the same may be released after receipt of duly filled up Form H along with copy of the Bill of Lading in due course.