This question stops more people from starting than it should. They assume they need a GST number, a company, and a CA before they can sell a single kurti — so they never begin. The honest answer is calmer than the fear: for many small sellers starting on their own store, you can begin without GST. But there’s an important catch, and it depends on two things.
Thing 1: Your turnover
GST has a registration threshold. As widely published, in normal-category states it’s an aggregate turnover of ₹40 lakh for suppliers of goods and ₹20 lakh for services. Special-category states (several in the North-East and a few others) have lower limits — ₹20 lakh and ₹10 lakh respectively. Below the line, a normal business generally isn’t required to register.
For someone selling a few hundred products a month, that threshold is far away. So if turnover were the only factor, most small sellers would have a clear “not yet”. But it isn’t the only factor.
Thing 2: Where you sell (the catch)
Here’s the part people miss. If you sell through a marketplace like Amazon, Flipkart or Meesho — platforms that collect tax at source (TCS) on your behalf — then GST registration is generally required regardless of your turnover. The basic exemption usually doesn’t rescue you there. (There have been recent relaxations for some small intra-state sellers, which is exactly the kind of detail that changes and that a CA can confirm for you.)
Selling on your own store — where you collect payment yourself through a payment gateway rather than through a TCS-collecting marketplace — is generally treated like any other business, so the normal turnover threshold applies. This is one of the quiet advantages of having your own store link instead of starting on a marketplace: fewer mandatory hoops on day one.
What to actually do
- Don’t let GST stop you from starting. If you’re a small seller launching on your own store, you can usually begin and formalise as you grow.
- Track your turnover from day one. Keep a clean record of sales — having your orders in one order book makes this trivial — so you know when you’re approaching the threshold.
- Talk to a CA before you cross the line, or before you list on a marketplace. A short consultation is cheap insurance.
- Register when you should. A GSTIN also lets you claim input credit and sell on marketplaces — it’s a growth step, not just a burden.
Why the “you must have GST” myth is so common
Because for years the loudest advice came from people selling on Amazon and Flipkart, where GST is effectively mandatory. That advice got repeated until it sounded like a universal law. It isn’t — it’s specific to TCS marketplaces. Your own store plays by the ordinary threshold rules.
Frequently asked questions
+ – Can I sell online without a GST number?
Often yes, if your turnover is below the threshold (commonly ₹40 lakh for goods, ₹20 lakh for services, with lower limits in special-category states) and you sell through your own store while collecting payment yourself. But if you sell through a marketplace that collects tax at source (TCS), GST registration is usually required regardless of turnover. Rules change, so confirm your specific case with a CA or the GST portal.
+ – What is the GST turnover threshold in India?
As widely published, the registration threshold is ₹40 lakh aggregate turnover for suppliers of goods and ₹20 lakh for services in normal-category states, with lower limits (₹20 lakh / ₹10 lakh) in special-category states. Always verify the current numbers, as they are revised from time to time.
+ – Do I need GST to sell on Amazon, Flipkart or Meesho?
Generally yes. Marketplaces that collect tax at source (TCS) usually require sellers to have a GSTIN, and the basic turnover exemption often does not apply to them — though recent relaxations exist for some small intra-state sellers. Check the marketplace’s current requirement and consult a professional.
+ – Is this legal or tax advice?
No. This is general information to help you ask the right questions. GST rules are detailed and change over time. For your specific situation, talk to a qualified chartered accountant (CA) and check the official GST portal.
Do this one thing today
Decide your route. If you’re starting on your own store and you’re well below the threshold, begin selling and keep a clean record of turnover. If you plan to list on a marketplace, get a GSTIN sorted first. Either way, the answer becomes simple once you know which of the two paths you’re on — and a CA can confirm it in one conversation.
Want the path with fewer day-one hoops? Start on your own store — add products and share your link in minutes.
Create your store free