The Legal Metrology Act of 2009 regulates the maximum retail price or MRP. MRP, or manufacturer-recommended price, is the most expensive price that may be charged for a product. The store has no right to charge the client more than MRP.
The proportion of taxes for many items has changed significantly since the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1, 2017, which has led to a rise or drop in MRP. The GST rates for numerous items have continued to change even after the GST was implemented. The necessity to update the MRP has arisen as a result of the implementation of GST and ongoing changes to the GST rates. In this essay, we examine how the GST has affected MRP and how MRP has been revised.
Definition of the Maximum Retail Price
You must be wondering: what is the maximum retail price? Nowadays, let’s go shopping for packaged goods. Our eyes automatically go toward the product’s maximum retail price (MRP) after taking a quick glance at it and even considering purchasing it. The whole thing is based on two solid arguments.
First of all, it informs us of the amount we will need to spend so that we may plan our shopping properly. Furthermore, it is the best signaling medium since it clearly communicates the commodity’s expected, assigned price as well as how it compares to other similar commodities on the market, all of which help us make decisions.
The maximum retail price (MRP) is the maximum price that manufacturers of any product that is to be sold in India are permitted to charge. When it comes to bringing in more customers to their businesses, manufacturers do have the option of offering things for less than the MRP. According to the Consumer Goods Act of 2006, neither the retailer nor the seller may charge more than the MRP shown on the package of goods. Therefore, GST is already accounted for in the MRP.
The Objective of Maximum Retail Price
The maximum retail price guarantees that the merchant won’t charge clients more than the maximum retail price. The seller’s ability to trick the customers into paying more is limited. The MRP also makes sure that vendors don’t charge clients more than the set price for the commodity in any of the zones.
By preventing vendors from selling goods and charging unfair prices, MRP maintains a high degree of client knowledge of commodity pricing. Customers won’t be responsible for different tax consequences for the items because the MRP includes taxes.
The customer’s confidence in the items increases, and it creates a solid basis for the buyer-seller connection when the MRP is present on the product.
Why is MRP needed?
A maximum retail price is present on all packaged goods and made readily available to consumers. This proposal was first proposed in 1990. Only the producer or the original importer of the product may print it on the package.
To counter tax evasion, the implementation of MRP printing became mandatory. Previously, manufacturers would set a maximum retail price plus additional local taxes. However, many businesses were unfairly taking advantage of this technique so they could collect far more in the name of “local taxes” than what was allowed.
Thus, this is how the concept of MRP came into existence. The MRP of today includes the cost of raw materials, production costs, franchise margin, retailer margin, manufacturer’s margin, cost of freight, and other costs. GST is the most recent addition. A norm established as MRP is essentially a guarantee of a product’s price, much like quality assurance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Maximum Retail Price
Advantages
MRP has the following benefits:
- It increases consumer knowledge, prevents tax evasion, eliminates the possibility that suppliers would deceive customers by quoting higher than necessary prices for items, prevents black marketing, fosters strong buyer-seller relationships, and promotes customer confidence.
- The MRP tries to establish a single standard price that is enforceable throughout the nation. The MRP specified by a manufacturer is a set and authorized price.
- MRP defends consumer rights, particularly in rural or isolated locations.
- Because all packaged items have the MRP, inclusive of tax, printed on them, there are fewer consumer complaints about overcharging.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of MRP are as follows:
- Since the government has minimal influence on how much a product’s MRP should be, the makers may choose an unreasonable price for it.
- MRP may lead to market inefficiencies. Since manufacturers set the MRP of their products, they have the opportunity to charge higher costs, which eventually influences many small-scale merchants. As a result, they risk losing customers due to external factors like this.
- Since retailers in remote locations must pay high transportation costs and are unable to raise prices above MRP to meet those costs, they inevitably suffer losses.
- The producer considers the maximum tax rate imposed on the goods by any Indian state before determining the MRP rate of any product. As a result, even if your state has low tax rates, you can still have to pay more due to high tax rates in other states.
Factors Determining the Fixation of the Maximum Retail Price
1. Cost Production
The cost of production is the most significant factor in pricing. Consider the cost of manufacturing prior to setting a price. Two categories of expenses exist:
- A predetermined price (such as the building’s rent, employees’ salaries, etc.).
- Variable costs (such as for personnel, materials, etc.)
2. Demand for Products
To be able to charge higher prices if demand outpaces supply, conduct research on the market demand for goods and services.
3. Price of a Competing Firm
It’s crucial to research the costs of your competitors’ items. In the event of intense competition, setting prices at a lower rate is preferable.
4. Government Regulation
Manufacturers should set the cost of the item or service in accordance with laws and regulations.
5. Marketing Method Used
The company’s marketing approach has an impact on the maximum retail price as well. For instance, the price includes the fee paid to intermediaries for the sale of the items. Similarly, if consumers receive “after-sales service,” such costs will be present in the purchase price as well.
Increase or decrease in MRP due to a change in the rate of GST
There are situations when the MRP on the unsold stock as of the day of the implementation of GST or the change in GST on the MRP must change. This is due to GST imposition or a change in GST rates. In this situation, using proper stickers, online printing, or stamping with the amended MRP is mandatory. It must meet the requirements listed below:
- The product’s original MRP should be prominently visible. Never add the amended MRP on top of the original MRP.
- After accounting for and considering the excess availability of the GST input tax credit as well as the deemed credit made available to the traders under the proviso to Section 140(3) of the CGST Act of 2017, the difference cannot be greater than net price increases due to the incidence of tax.
- The individual who wishes to change the MRP must place two ads in one or more publications. They must inform the Director of Legal Metrology and the Controllers of Legal Metrology in each state of their intention.
Options for Consumers if Retailers Charge More Than MRP
A customer may protest to a store if they add GST to the MRP over the maximum selling price. The government or one of the various anti-profiteering commissions established in India both accept complaints from consumers. A retailer cannot overcharge. A retailer may, however, set a price that is less than the MRP.
The Central Government of India established the National Anti-Profiteering Authority. This helps to investigate whether tax rate reductions or ITCs received by registered individuals genuinely led to lower pricing. It was later passed on to customers. This guarantees that prices stay in check and that companies do not reap excessive profits.
Complaint Against the MRP if the Seller Charges More
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs and several anti-profiteering bodies are now present in India. One can contact them if any merchant requests GST beyond the MRP of a product. This is applicable according to the CBEC’s most recent rules.
Sellers cannot charge more than the MRP for the items because it already includes all taxes. Manufacturers and dealers can give a discount on the MRP for specific items and sell them at a lower price than the MRP.
In particular, in areas where GST implementation is present, consumers may have to pay more than MRP. This is on the grounds that GST has raised the price of the goods. The regulations explicitly state that if the price has risen, the producer must publish an advertisement for it in at least two newspapers. Also, they must place the old and new price labels on the old stock until September 30.
Store owners should take appropriate action if manufacturers are selling goods for more money without following the law. It carries a potential punishment of a year in prison or a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
Consumers should be more aware of the current conspiracies, and vendors should demand payment in excess of the MRP. In that case, they should file a complaint with the consumer ministry at www.tnlegalmetrology.in
Conclusion
To sum up, MRP, or maximum retail price, is a crucial component of GST. It makes sure that prices are not too high for customers and streamlines the tax system. The tax structure is simplified under GST because the MRP simply includes GST. It is possible to maintain compliance with the tax laws. Therefore, small and medium company owners and startup founders in India should understand how they must implement MRP under GST.