HSN Code: Definition, Usage, Lists & Structure

Tally Solutions |Updated on: August 24, 2022

What is HSN code under GST?
The usage Of HSN code for GST
HSN Code List for GST India
HSN codes to be declared
Provisions related to HSN code for GST India
HSN code list for outward supplies
Structure of GST HSN code
GST HSN code search
Relationship of HSN code and GST rate
FAQs on HSN code list under GST

What is HSN code under GST?

HSN stands for Harmonized System of Nomenclature which was developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) with the vision of classifying goods all over the World in a systematic manner.

WCO has 181 members, three-quarters of which are developing countries that are responsible for managing more than 98 percent of world trade. HSN standardizes the classification of merchandise under sections, chapters, headings, and subheadings. This results in a six-digit code for a commodity (two digits each representing the chapter, heading, and subheading).

India, a member of WCO since 1971, has been using HSN codes since 1986 to classify commodities for Customs and Central Excise. Customs and Central Excise added two more digits to make the codes more precise, resulting in an eight-digit classification.

The usage Of HSN code for GST

The HSN code under GST of six digit forming an uniform code helps in classifying over 5,000 products and is accepted worldwide
The GST HSN helps in taxation purposes in identifying the HSN code wise GST rate applicable to a product in a country
The HSN code under GSTis also used to determine the quantum of item traded or imported all through a nation

HSN Code List for GST India

HSN has been applicable in India after implementation of GST. India has already been using HSN system in the Central Excise and Customs regime.

But the GST HSN is a much more detailed classification that adds another two digits to the 6-digit structure. For certain categories of person in GST, there is even an requirement to mention HSN code with GST rate in the tax invoices prepared by them.

HSN codes to be declared

Under GST law, the HSN code to be used by a taxpayer for classification of goods will be based on the taxpayer's turnover. The HSN code needs to be declared on the tax invoice and also to be reported while filing the GST returns.
The HSN codes for mandatory mapping/classification of goods that need to be used by a taxpayer are as follows;

Taxpayers whose turnover is Rs. 5 crore and above shall use 4 digit HSN code
Taxpayers whose turnover is above Rs. 1.5 crore but below Rs. 5 crore shall use 2 digit HSN code
Taxpayers whose turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crore are not required to mention HSN code in their invoices
The draft list of HSN codes released and available in the public domain can be assessed on the government GST website
Under the GST laws, the services will be classified as per the Services Accounting Code(s) (SAC)

Small taxpayers with annual turnover up to Rs 1.50 crores in preceding financial year need not be required to mention HSN code wise GST rate in their tax invoice
Taxpayers having turnover exceeding Rs. 1.5 crore but up to 5.00 crore will be required to mention only two digits of GST HSN
All those taxpayers having turnover exceeding Rs 5 Crore will be required to mention four digits of GST HSN

HSN code list for outward supplies

Sections	HSN code list
Section 1	Live Animals, Animal Products
Section 2	Vegetable Products
Section 3	Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils and their cleavage products, prepared edible fats, Animal or Vegetable waxes
Section 4	Prepared Foodstuffs, Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar, Tobacco and Manufactured Tobacco Substitutes
Section 5	Mineral Products
Section 6	Product of the chemicals or allied Industries
Section 7	Plastics and articles thereof, Rubber and articles thereof
Section 8	Raw hides and skins, Leather, Furskins and articles thereof, saddlery and harness, travel goods, handbags and similar containers, articles of animal gut ( other than silk-worm gut )
Section 9	Wood and articles of wood, Wood charcoal, Cork and articles of cork, Manufacturers of straw, of Esparto or of other Plaiting Materials, Basketwork and Wickerwork
Section 10	Pulp of wood or of other Fibrous Cellulosic Material, Recovered ( Waste and scrap ) paper or paperboard, paper and paperboard and articles thereof
Section 11	Textile and textile articles
Section 12	Footwear, Headgear, Umbrellas, Sun Umbrellas, Walking-sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding-crops and parts thereof, Prepared feathers and articles made therewith, Artificial flowers, Articles of human hair
Section 13	Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, or similar materials, ceramic products, glass and glassware
Section 14	Natural or cultured pearls, Precious or semi-precious stones, precious metals, Metal clad with precious metal, and articles thereof, Imitation Jewellery, Coins
Section 15	Base Metals and articles of Base Metal
Section 16	Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, parts thereof, sound recorders and reproducers, television image and souch recorders and reproducers, and Parts and Accessories of such article
Section 17	Vehicles, Aircraft, Vessels and Associated Transport Equipment
Section 18	Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, clocks and watches, musical instruments, parts and accessories thereof
Section 19	Arms and ammunition, parts and accessories thereof
Section 20	Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles
Section 21	Works of art, Collectors’ Pieces and antiques

Structure of GST HSN code

The coding process of a commodity is organized logically by economic activity or component material. For example, animals and animal products are found in one section of the HS, while machinery and mechanical appliances are found in another. The HSN book for referring to an HSN Code for a product is organized into following, by which one can make a quick reference to the HSN Code for the product he is searching for:

Sections and Chapter titles

Describes about broad categories of goods

The first two digits of HSN Code is designated to HSN Chapter

These are arranged in order of a product’s degree of manufacture or in terms of its technological complexity. For Example : within Section X (Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; Recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard; Paper and paperboard and articles thereof), Chapter 47 provides for pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic materials, whereas Chapter 49 covers printed books, newspapers, and other printed matter

For instance, natural commodities, such as live animals and vegetables are described in the early sections of the HS, whereas more evolved goods such as machinery and precision instruments are described in later sections

Headings and Sub-headings

Describes the product specifically or in detail

The next two digits of HSN Code is attributed to Headings and the third set of two digits is for HS Sub Headings

The headings within individual Chapters follow a similar order. For example, the first heading in Chapter 50 (Silk) provides for silkworm cocoons while articles made of silk are covered by the chapter's later headings

GST HSN code search

How do I carry out a GST HSN Code Search?
You will need a GST rate finder tool to find the HSN code for the given product
There are other ways also to decode HSN code for a given product such as by visiting Central Board or excise and customs department website and other third party apps on play store and iOS platform
Why do I need a GST rate finder?
Indian Taxation System has categorized over 1211 goods for levy of GST under 6 broad categories or tax-slabs
These are 0% or No Tax, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%

So it becomes important to know in which of these categories your product or good has been classified. And one can easily find that with a search using commonly used word for the product.

So the Rate Finder Tool is used to find the HSN Code for the goods or products for invoicing purposes.

Relationship of HSN code and GST rate

HSN code

FAQs on HSN code list under GST

How does HSN code work?

HSN is a six-digit code that classifies more than 5000 products, arranged in a legal and logical structure. To achieve uniform classification, the HSN is supported by well-defined rules and is accepted worldwide.

HSN classification is widely used for taxation purposes by helping to identify the rate of tax applicable to a specific product in a country that is under review. It can also be used in calculations that involve claiming benefits.

Yet that’s not all – it also applies to import and exports. The HSN code aids in determining the quantity of all items imported or traded through a nation.

Why is HSN important under GST?

While the primary purpose of the HSN code is the systematic classification of goods, it can also be used to gather data and solve problems that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. The result is a more efficient international trade system.

HSN is in use worldwide, with 200+ countries participating. This impressive adoption rate can be chalked up to the benefits of HSN, which include:

Collection of international trade statistics
Provision of a rational basis for Customs tariffs
Uniform classification

Nearly 98% of international trade stock is classified in terms of HSN, further evidence of its reputation as the best form of international classification.

HSN numbers exist for each commodity in every country, and the number remains the same for almost all goods. In some countries, HSN numbers can vary a little because they are entirely based on the nature of the items classified.

Is HSN Code is required while GST return filing?

It is a mandatory requirement under GST to mention HSN/ SAC code in the GST invoice. HSN code is mandatory for all, except with a turnover less than 1.5 Cr in a financial year and a taxpayer who have done GST Registration under the composition scheme.