Find the HSN code for what your shop sells.

01 · What it is

An HSN code says what the goods are, in a number

HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) is the international code for a kind of goods, and India uses it to classify goods for GST: the code is where you start when you look up a rate, though one code can cover goods at more than one rate. Services have their own codes, called SAC, which in India start with 99. The code goes on each line of a GST invoice, next to the item, so that anyone reading the bill can tell exactly what was sold and at what rate.

• HSN for goods, SAC for services
• SAC codes start with 99
• One code per line on a GST invoice
• Where a rate lookup starts

02 · Digits

How many digits your bill needs

Since 1 April 2021 (CBIC notification 78/2020–Central Tax), a business with a turnover of up to ₹5 crore in the previous year must show at least a 4-digit HSN code on tax invoices to registered buyers, and may leave it off bills to consumers. Above ₹5 crore, a 6-digit code is required on every tax invoice. More digits are always allowed. The codes here are 4-digit headings for goods and SAC codes, which start with 99, for services.

• Up to ₹5 crore: 4 digits on B2B invoices
• Above ₹5 crore: 6 digits on all tax invoices
• More digits are always allowed
• Check your own turnover band each year

03 · Rates

Why this list does not show GST rates

One heading can cover goods taxed at different rates: the rate can depend on the exact product, the packing, or whether it is pre-packaged and labelled. A list that printed one rate per code would be wrong for some of the goods under it, and a wrong rate on a tax invoice is worse than none. So the rate is not stated here: CBIC's tax information portal, which carries the rate notifications as amended, is the place to confirm it, or your accountant.

• One code can carry more than one rate
• Confirm the rate on CBIC's tax portal
• Search any code on the GST portal
• These descriptions are plain summaries, not tariff text