Reading a GST-Inclusive vs Exclusive Price: A Quick Guide
How to tell what you'll actually pay, and why the difference matters more on large material orders than it looks.
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The basics
An 'inclusive' price already has GST built in — what you see is what you pay. An 'exclusive' price has GST added at checkout, so the final amount will be higher than the listed number.
Why it trips people up
Comparing an inclusive price from one vendor against an exclusive price from another makes the second one look cheaper than it actually is — a common source of confusion when comparing quotations from different sources.
Typical GST rates on construction material
Cement generally attracts 28% GST, while most other building materials fall in the 18% bracket, though the exact rate depends on the HSN classification of the specific item — always confirm the rate shown on the invoice rather than assuming.
How Cat Build Mart shows this
Every listing states clearly whether its price is GST-inclusive or exclusive, and every completed order generates a compliant GST invoice showing the seller's GSTIN — so the final number is never a surprise at checkout.
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