There are several factors involved in deciding order currency. As we produce products in 2 countries, the process of choosing the currency is different. The fist and main concept to understand is the concept of VAT or GST, which applies to both countries.
VAT is value-added tax, known in some countries as a goods and services tax (GST), is a type of tax is assessed incrementally. It is levied on the price of a product or service at each stage of production, distribution, or sale to the end customer. If the ultimate consumer is a business that collects and pays to the government VAT on its products or services, it can reclaim the tax paid. It is similar to, and is often compared with, a sales tax. VAT is an indirect tax because the person who ultimately pays the tax isn't necessarily the same person as the one who pays the tax to the tax authorities. VAT essentially compensates for the shared service and infrastructure provided in a certain locality by a state and funded by its taxpayers that were used in the provision of that product or service. Not all localities require VAT to be charged, and exports are often exempt. VAT is usually implemented as a destination-based tax, where the tax rate is based on the location of the consumer and applied to the sales price.
Based on the above definition, VAT (GST) is applied to all commodities inside the country of origin. However, when it comes to export to other countries, the exporter has a right to return the paid tax, which is called VAT (GST) refund. The refund is claimed to tax government and received upon providing the documents that prove export, usually the refund is received several months after export.
In China, the currency of any order can be USD or RMB. RMB price is usually the primary price in the country, as all production costs and raw materials prices are calculated in RMB. RMB price is inclusive of tax – means RMB prices includes VAT. Different products might have different VAT rates.
Most common VAT rate in China: 13%; VAT refund rate: 13%.
The above rate applies to 99% of the products AdvaCare exports. There are some exceptions, such as contraceptive products (condoms and contraceptive pills), which have VAT rate 0% and VAT refund rate 0%.
To find out which VAT rate & VAT refund rate applies to a certain product, Purchasing Person or Logistics Person has to check HS code of the product (HS code defines product category for export) and find this HS code on the customs website that have a database of all product categories and corresponding VAT rates.
If order currency is RMB, first buyer pays the full product price inclusive of VAT. VAT refund is received after export and after submitting export documents to tax government of China.
As per company policy, RMB price from the Vendor must include VAT and transportation costs to freight forwarder warehouse in Shanghai (or another mutually agreed city in China).
USD price in China is usually calculated with the following formula:
USD price = RMB price/Exchange rate/1.13, where
For example, if product price is 1.5RMB/box, the approximate USD price will be 1.5/6.37812/1.13 = 0.208 USD/box.
Each Vendor might have different formula to calculate USD price. Purchasing Person can ask the Vendor to share the formula if necessary.
USD price should always be exclusive of VAT because the Seller will receive VAT refund after export.
As per company policy, USD price from the Vendor must be based on FOB incoterms (FOB = Free on Board), which means that Vendor will cover all local charges in the country of origin until the goods are on board of the vessel.
Based on all of the above, it is important for Purchasing Person to understand the following:
Unless it is specified otherwise for any specific RFQ, a new order can have products in RMB and products in USD. One Vendor will usually have all products in one currency, unless there is a reason to divide products. One PO must have one currency. There are several factors that might influence the decision of which currency to choose:
If both currencies are equally possible, Purchasing Person needs to compare the prices (including approximate amount of local charges to be added to RMB price which can be checked with Logistics Person) and choose the most cost effective option.
In India, the currency of any order can be USD or INR. INR price is usually the primary price in the country, as all production costs and raw materials prices are calculated in INR. INR price is exclusive of tax – means INR prices don’t include GST. Different products might have different GST rates.
Most common GST rate in India: 18%; GST refund rate: 18%.
To find out which GST rate & GST refund rate applies to a certain product, Purchasing Person or Logistics Person has to check HS code of the product (HS code defines product category for export) and find this HS code on the customs website that have a database of all product categories and corresponding GST rates.
If the currency of the order is INR, Buyer has to be the exporter. If currency of the order is USD, Seller has to be the exporter.
As of now, AdvaCare has never done orders in INR, therefore this section will be updated after AdvaCare starts to buy products in INR.
As per company policy, all prices from India must be in USD, based on FOB Mumbai incoterms (FOB = Free on Board), which means that Vendor will cover all local charges in the country of origin until the goods are on board of the vessel.
If both currencies are equally possible, Purchasing Person needs to compare the prices (including approximate amount of local charges to be added to INR price which can be checked with freight forwarder) and choose the most cost effective option.