GST reference · HSN codes

HSN code list with GST rates.

A plain-English reference for how HSN codes work, how many digits you need on your invoices, and typical GST rates by common business category. For the exact code on your product, use our free HSN finder.

Reviewed July 2026
6 min read
CA Anil Agarwal & the TatvaBooks team

What is an HSN code?

HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) is a globally standardised numeric code used to classify goods for customs and tax purposes. India uses it under GST to decide which tax rate applies to a product and to keep returns machine-matchable across the GST Network.

HSN codes are hierarchical:

2 digits — chapter (broad category, e.g. "61" for knitted apparel)
4 digits — heading (a narrower group within the chapter)
6 digits — sub-heading, internationally standardised
8 digits — India-specific tariff item, the most precise level

Most small businesses only need 4 or 6 digits on their invoices — see the next section for exactly which applies to you.

How many HSN digits you must show

The digit-length requirement is tied to your aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year, broadly:

Turnover up to roughly ₹5 crore — 4-digit HSN on B2B tax invoices (often optional on B2C).
Turnover above roughly ₹5 crore — 6-digit HSN on invoices.
Certain notified goods (chemicals, some restricted items) — 8-digit HSN regardless of turnover.

These are general thresholds and have moved before — CBIC periodically updates the exact turnover slabs and digit requirements through notifications. Verify the current requirement on the GST portal or with your CA before you finalise invoice templates. TatvaBooks applies the right digit-length automatically once you set your turnover slab in company settings.

HSN codes by category

This is a curated starting point covering common business categories — not the full 5,000+ code list. Each row shows one representative HSN and the GST rate that typically applies to that heading; your specific product may sit under a different sub-heading with a different rate.

Category	Example HSN	Typical GST rate
Textiles & apparel	6109 — T-shirts, singlets	5% / 12%*
Footwear	6404 — Footwear with textile uppers	12% / 18%*
Food & beverages	1905 — Bread, biscuits, pastry	0% / 5% / 18%*
Electronics	8528 — Monitors & TVs	18% / 28%*
Mobiles & accessories	8517 — Mobile phones	18%
Furniture	9403 — Furniture & parts	18%
Medicines & pharma	3004 — Medicaments, packaged	5% / 12%*
Cosmetics & personal care	3304 — Beauty & skincare preparations	18%
Stationery	4820 — Registers, notebooks, files	12%*
Machinery & industrial equipment	8479 — Machines with individual functions	18%
Plastics & plastic goods	3923 — Plastic packing articles	18%
Auto parts	8708 — Motor vehicle parts & accessories	18% / 28%*

*Rates marked with an asterisk vary by sub-category — for example, apparel is 5% up to ₹1,000 per piece and 12% above; footwear is 12% up to ₹1,000 and 18% above. GST rates change — verify the exact code/rate on the GST portal or with the official HSN/SAC directory before you file or invoice.

Need the exact code?

A category-level table is a starting point, not a filing reference. For the precise HSN code and current GST rate on your exact product, use our free HSN code finder — search by product name or code. Once you set the HSN on an item in TatvaBooks, every invoice line for that item pulls the correct code and rate automatically, including CGST/SGST/IGST split.

Frequently asked questions

What is an HSN code?

HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) is a globally standardised numeric code used to classify goods. Under GST, every product on an invoice is tagged with an HSN code so the correct GST rate applies and returns can be filed and matched consistently. Codes run from 2 digits (broad chapter) to 8 digits (very specific product), with 4 and 6 digits as common intermediate levels.

How many HSN digits do I need to show on my invoices?

It depends on your aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year: businesses up to roughly ₹5 crore generally need 4-digit HSN codes on B2B invoices (and can often skip it on B2C), while businesses above that threshold generally need 6-digit codes, with certain notified goods requiring 8 digits. These are general thresholds and CBIC has changed them before — always verify your exact requirement against the current CGST notification or with your CA before filing.

Where can I find the exact HSN code for my product?

Use our HSN code finder, which searches by product description or code and returns the matching HSN with its current GST rate. For anything borderline or high-value, cross-check against the official CBIC/GST portal HSN directory — misclassifying a product can mean the wrong tax rate and ITC mismatches down the line.

Is HSN mandatory on GST invoices?

Yes, for GST-registered businesses above the applicable turnover threshold, HSN codes are mandatory on tax invoices at the digit-length that applies to you. TatvaBooks auto-fills the HSN code and GST rate on every invoice line once you've set it on the item master, so you don't have to look it up each time.

What is the difference between HSN and SAC codes?

HSN codes classify goods (physical products); SAC (Services Accounting Code) codes classify services. Both feed the same GST rate-determination logic and both appear on invoices, but a trading business mostly deals in HSN while a services business — consulting, IT, construction — mostly deals in SAC. See our SAC code list for the services side.

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