HSN Code List & GST Rate Finder 

HSN Code List & GST Rate Finder 

12 min read

Quick Summary

Trying to make sense of GST filing and invoicing for your business? Understanding HSN codes is key, as they help classify goods correctly and ensure you apply the right tax rate. This blog breaks down what HSN codes are, when different digit codes are used, and why they matter for GST compliance.

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What is HSN?

The Harmonized System of Nomenclature or HSN has been developed by the WCO or  World Customs Organization for giving a code to the various goods around the globe in a proper manner for a taxation system for finding different types of products. HSN has more than five thousand different products, and this was initiated in the year 1988. It is quite widespread and has been adopted in greater than two hundred countries for proper classification, using the base for various tariffs and also for the collection of the international trade statistics.

Search HSN Code

Download HSN in Excel Format

Process of working of the HSN Code

HSN code has greater than five thousand different commodity groups each of them was identified by a 6 digit code that is arranged in a logical and legal structure. HSN code is well supported by some rules to achieve a uniform structure.

HSN Code Importance

This HSN code is generally accepted across the world to classify different products which makes it easy for the HSN Code Finder for identifying various goods for foreign and domestic trade. It is also used in gathering data for understanding domestic and foreign in a better way. So, the HSN code aids the government in choosing different macroeconomic policies which are related to the trade practices of different goods.

Some of the latest updates on HSN related to GST

Some of the HSN codes which were declared on March 31, 2021:

Turnover of the individual/companyNumber of the digits in HSN which needs to be declared
Below 1.5 crore0
From 1.5 crore to 5 crore2
Above 5 crore4

Some of the HSN codes which were declared on April 1, 2021:

(CGST notification no. 78/2020 which was dated October 15, 2020)

Turnover of the companyInvoice documentNumber of the digits in HSN which needs to be declared
Below 5 croreCompulsory for all B2B invoices of tax4
Optional for some invoices of tax B2C 4
Above 5 croresCompulsory for all B2B invoices of tax6

Note:
The aggregate turnover (annual) in the preceding financial year, which is, for the invoice of the financial year 2021-22 turnover which is to be referred should be of the financial year 2020-21.

HSN Worldwide

Any HSN Finder is currently being used by greater than two hundred economies and countries for the below-mentioned reasons:-

  • Customs tariffs base
  • Proper classification of different products or goods
  • Collection of the statistics of the international trade 

This is an essential fact about the HSN which is that over 98% of the total merchandise in the international trade can be classified through HSN.

HSN in India

India has been a member of the World Customs Organization (WCO) since 1971. It was originally using 6-digit HSN codes to classify commodities for Customs and Central Excise. Later Customs and Central Excise added two more digits to make the codes more precise, resulting in an 8-digit classification. The HSN will help every taxpayer in India to search the GST rate by just entering the HSN code after which the system will automatically show the tax rate applicable on the commodity under the GST, hence simplifying the trade procedures in India.

Structure of HSN Code

The main structure of HSN has 21 Sections along with 99 Chapters, plus a total of 1,244 headings which have 5,224 subheadings. So every Section has various Chapters and each of the Chapters has various Headings. Further, each Heading has smaller Subheadings. While the Chapters and Sections have different products or goods, the Subheading and Heading denote these products in some detail.

GST and HSN

If one is importing and exporting it is essential for all the goods for having all eight digits of the HSN code under the GST.

  • Chapter: There are a total of 99 chapters under the module of HSN.
  • Heading: There are 1244 headings under the chapters.
  • Subheading: Under the headings, there are 5224 subheadings.

Under the guidelines of WCO, the first 6 digits of the HSN code cannot be changed but the remaining four can be easily changed as it includes National tariff and Regional tariff which are changed less frequently by the customs authority of any country.

What is an HSN Code for GST?

HSN codes which were only applicable to the CEC or Central Excise and Customs, later after the GST was implemented, it is mandatory for all businesses or companies to mention the HSN codes in the invoices. Below mentioned are the GST turnover and the HSN digits which need to be written:-

The turnover below Rs 1.5 cr by any business or company – no need to mention the HSN code

The turnover between 1.5 cr and 5cr – one only needs to mention the HSN code till 2 digits

The turnover greater than 5cr – one needs to mention the HSN code till 4 digits

HSN classification was applicable in India from the CEC or Central Excise and Customs regime, but this became more detailed after GST, now two more digits have been added. So, the HSN code through the GST regime must have 8 digits.

What is SAC?

Like HSN code finders, codes meant for services are named SAC or Services Accounting Code. As goods, services too are classified evenly for taxation, measurement, and recognition purposes.

The Central Board of Indirect Tax issues SAC to classify each service. These codes are used when generating invoices against the services rendered.

Format of SAC

The SAC code comprises a unique 6-digit number that includes two numbers each for Heading, Chapter, and Subheading.

One can understand this with the help of an example given below:

SAC code meant for certification services and Legal documentation concerning copyrights patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights is 998213

The first two digits are the same for all services i.e. 99

The next two digits (82) stand for nature of service, in this case, legal services – Heading

The last two digits (13) stand for the detailed nature of service, i.e., legal documentation for patents – Subheading.

GST HSN Finder – Steps to Search HSN/SAC Tax Rates

You are required to follow the following steps in order to get the HSN codes for GST:

  • Step 1: Firstly, you need to visit the homepage of the GST portal – https://services.gst.gov.in/services/searchhsnsac and then enter the login details like Username and Password.
  • Step 2: Then you have to click on Services > User Services > Search HSN/SAC code. Then the HSN checkbox is required to be clicked.
  • Step 3: Then from the Tax-Type drop-down list you have to select the tax type that you are searching for.
  • Step 4: Now, the HSN code has to be entered or the name of the chapter whose rates need to be looked for under the “Search HSN Chapter by Name or Code.”
  • Step 5: Now, you need to enter the HSN code of the goods whose tax rates are looked for under the “Search HSN Code” category. Then the appropriate dates from the calendar have to be selected in the “Effective Period” category.
  • Step 6: Once all the details are filled in the “Search” option needs to be clicked.

While searching for SGST from the Tax Type list, you are also required to select the state for which you wish to check the tax rate.

For knowing SAC codes, you have to follow the steps listed below:

  • Step 1: First of all the SAC checkbox needs to be clicked. Then you have to search the tax type you are searching for in the Tax-Type drop-down list.
  • Step 2: Select the tax type you are searching for in the Tax-Type drop-down list.
  • Step 3: The next step is entering the Service Classification Code (SAC) whose rates you are searching under the “Service by Name or Code.”
  • Step 4: Further the appropriate dates from the calendar need to be selected in the “Effective Period” category.
  • Step 5: Last but not least the “Search” option needs to be clicked and the details will be visible on the screen.

HSN code list section-wise

SectionsHSN Code List
Section 1Animal products and live animals
Section 2Products of vegetable
Section 3Vegetable or animal oils and fats and its products of cleavage, edible fats prepared, vegetable or animal waxes
Section 4Prepared foodstuffs, spirits,  beverages, tobacco, vinegar, and tobacco substitutes that are manufactured
Section 5Mineral products
Section 6Product of allied or the chemicals industries
Section 7Articles and plastics thereof, articles and rubber thereof
Section 8Skins, raw hides, fur skins, leather, and articles, harness, saddlery  handbags, travel goods, animal gut articles and similar containers, (other than silkworm gut)
Section 9Articles of wood, wood, charcoal wood, articles of cork, cork, straw manufacturers, of esparto, plaiting materials, wickerwork and basketwork 
Section 10Other fibrous of the cellulosic material, pulp of wood, (waste and scrap) recovered paper and paperboard, others articles 
Section 11Textile and textile articles
Section 12Headgear, footwear, sun umbrellas, umbrellas, walking sticks, seat sticks, riding-crops, whips, parts, articles made, prepared feathers and others artificial flowers, human hair articles 
Section 13Articles of plaster, stone, asbestos, cement, similar materials, mica,, glass, ceramic products and others glassware
Section 14Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, metal clad with precious metal, and articles thereof, imitation jewellery, coins
Section 15Articles or base metals 
Section 16Mechanical appliances, machinery, parts, electrical equipment, sound reproducers, recorders, souch recorders, television image and reproducers, its parts and others accessories of article
Section 17Aircraft, vehicles, associated transport equipment and vessels 
Section 18Photographic, optical, measuring, cinematographic, precision, checking, surgical or medical instruments and its apparatus, watches and clocks, parts, musical instruments, and its accessories 
Section 19Ammunition, arms and its parts & accessories 
Section 20Manufactured articles and miscellaneous 
Section 21Collectors’ pieces, art works, and antiques

HSN code chapter wise list

Below mentioned is the HSN Chapter code list:

Chapter NumberDescription
Chapter 1Poultry and live animals
Chapter 2Edible offals and animal meat 
Chapter 3Fillets, fish, and some animals meat (aquatic )
Chapter 4Eggs, honey, and other dairy products
Chapter 5Inedible products of  animal (unspecified)
Chapter 6Live trees, flowers, and plants
Chapter 7Vegetables
Chapter 8Fruits
Chapter 9Coffee, tea and spices
Chapter 10Grains and cereals 
Chapter 11Milling industry products
Chapter 12Medicinal plants, fruits and seeds
Chapter 13Gums, lac, vegetable SAP, resins and extracts
Chapter 14Vegetable materials and products (unspecified)
Chapter 15Oils, vegetable,  fats, and animal products
Chapter 16Fish and and other vertebrates meat (preserved/prepared)
Chapter 17Sugar confectionery, sugar, and bubble gums
Chapter 18Cocoa and its products
Chapter 19Pastry, bread, pizza, waffles
Chapter 20Juices, fruits, jellies and jams
Chapter 21Coffee, tea and some edible preparations
Chapter 22Nonalcoholic beverages, vinegar and spirit 
Chapter 23Meals, residual products of starch, and pellets
Chapter 24Tobacco and its products
Chapter 25Marbles and salts 
Chapter 26Concentrates and mineral ores 
Chapter 27Petroleum, coal and other fossil fuels
Chapter 28Inorganic chemicals and gases
Chapter 29Hydrocarbons
Chapter 30Pharma and blood products
Chapter 31Unspecified products and fertilizers 
Chapter 32Tanning and colouring products
Chapter 33Oils and cosmetics
Chapter 34Waxes and soaps 
Chapter 35Enzymes and glues 
Chapter 36Industrial fireworks and explosives
Chapter 37Cinematographic and photographic goods
Chapter 38Clinical and chemicals wastes
Chapter 39Plastic products
Chapter 40Rubber and its products 
Chapter 41Rawhides and skins 
Chapter 42Leather products like wallets, bags, and handbags
Chapter 43Artificial and raw fur products
Chapter 44Wood charcoal and wood products 
Chapter 45Shuttlecock cork and natural
Chapter 46Basketware, and plaiting materials, manufacturers straw, and wickerwork
Chapter 47Wood pulp
Chapter 48Paperboard, paper and newsprint
Chapter 49Newspapers, printed books, and postal goods
Chapter 50Silk
Chapter 51Fine, coarse animal hair, wool, horsehair yarn and woven fabric 
Chapter 52Cotton
Chapter 53Fabrics woven of paper yarn, vegetable textile fibres, and paper yarn 
Chapter 54Manmade filaments
Chapter 55Manmade fibres staple 
Chapter 56Ropes, cables, nonwovens, felt, wadding, cordage, twine, special yarns, and articles thereof
Chapter 57Textile floor coverings, carpets and others
Chapter 58Lace, trimmings,  tapestries, tufted textile fabrics and embroidery,
Chapter 59Laminated and coated fabrics textile, special fabrics woven 
Chapter 60Crocheted fabrics or knitted 
Chapter 61Clothing accessories which is either knitted or crochet and different articles of any apparel
Chapter 62Clothing accessories which is neither knitted nor crochet and different articles of any apparel
Chapter 63Sets, worn clothing worn textile articles, rags, and other textile articles
Chapter 64Gaiters, parts of these articles and footwear
Chapter 65Headgear parts 
Chapter 66Walking stick, umbrellas, and accessories
Chapter 67Artificial flowers, wigs, false beards
Chapter 68Plaster, mica cement, and other construction materials
Chapter 69Ceramic products and bricks 
Chapter 70All glassware products including
Chapter 71Silver, gold, pearls, diamond and precious metals
Chapter 72Non alloy products and iron rods, iron material and steel, 
Chapter 73Iron tube, railway tracks, nails, containers, sanitary wares and needles
Chapter 74Copper alloy products and copper products
Chapter 75Nickel alloy products and nickel 
Chapter 76All types of aluminium products
Chapter 77(Empty category and reserved for future use)
Chapter 78Lead foils, lead sheets and lead
Chapter 79Zinc dust, Zinc sheets and Zinc bars
Chapter 80tin bars, tin, and profiles
Chapter 81Magnesium, bismuth, cobalt, and base metals
Chapter 82Cutlery, agricultural tools, knives and razors 
Chapter 83Bells, padlocks, base metal products and safe deposit lockers
Chapter 84Machinery and industrial tools
Chapter 85Electronic and electrical goods
Chapter 86Locomotives and railway machinery 
Chapter 87Motor vehicles
Chapter 88Satellites, aircraft, parachute
Chapter 89Cargo vessels, ships, boats, 
Chapter 90Medical equipment, artificial organs, photographic, monitoring systems, optical fibres, lens, and cinematographic accessories
Chapter 91Clocks and watches
Chapter 92All types of musical instruments
Chapter 93Military weapons and arms 
Chapter 94Household products, furniture and lighting
Chapter 95Sports goods, electronic toys and consoles for gaming
Chapter 96Pencils, pens, smoking pipes and educational equipment
Chapter 97Antiques and arts
Chapter 98Laboratory chemical, import projects and passenger baggage
Chapter 99Services

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