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HSN Code Lookup

Type any product name (rice, mobile phone, t-shirt) or paste an HSN code. 11,481 8-digit ITC-HS entries across 97 chapters and 1,228 headings.

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Dataset bundled server-side at Pyrelo; lookups don't leave our infrastructure. Descriptions match CBIC's ITC-HS schedule. GST rates not shown — refer to gst.gov.in for current rates.

What is an HSN code?

HSN stands for Harmonized System of Nomenclature — a 6-digit globally standardised goods classification system maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). India extends the international 6-digit code with 2 additional digits, producing the 8-digit ITC-HS (Indian Trade Classification - Harmonized System) used on every Indian invoice and customs document.

The 8 digits break down like this:

85171210
85
Chapter
17
Heading
12
Sub-heading
10
India tariff

Chapter (digits 1-2) identifies a broad goods category — there are 97 active chapters covering everything from live animals (01) to works of art (97). India uses chapter 98 for project imports and personal-use baggage. Chapter 99 is reserved for services and uses SAC codes (a separate but related system).

Heading (digits 3-4) narrows to a sub-group within the chapter. Sub-heading (digits 5-6) is the international standard granularity — every WTO country agrees on the meaning of these 6 digits. Last 2 digits are India-specific tariff sub-classifications, used for customs duty rates and GST.

Required digits on invoices depend on turnover. Annual turnover ≤ ₹5 crore: 4 digits required for B2B. Above ₹5 crore: 6 digits for all invoices. Imports/exports always require all 8 digits regardless of size.

How to find the right HSN

  1. 1
    Look at an existing invoice for the same goods. Past purchase or sale invoices for identical goods are the most reliable source — your supplier or vendor has already classified the product.
  2. 2
    Search by description above. Type your product name (rice, t-shirt, smartphone, ceramic tile) — we match against CBIC's official descriptions.
  3. 3
    Check the full hierarchy. Click any result to see the chapter (2-digit) → heading (4-digit) → sub-heading (6-digit) → 8-digit code path. The hierarchy makes it clear how specific each code is.
  4. 4
    Verify with your CA before filing. For uncommon goods (especially in chapters 28-38 chemicals, 84-85 machinery), the right 8-digit code can be ambiguous. A quick confirmation from your CA avoids disputes during scrutiny.

Browse by chapter

All 97 ITC-HS chapters. Click for the heading list and sample 8-digit codes.

01Live animals4402Meat and edible meat offal6903Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates23404Dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey; edible animal products4705Products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified6906Live trees and other plants; bulbs, roots; cut flowers2407Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers8608Edible fruit and nuts; peel of citrus fruit or melons10109Coffee, tea, maté and spices14310Cereals3611Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; wheat gluten3512Oil seeds; miscellaneous grains, seeds, fruit; industrial plants11213Lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts4914Vegetable plaiting materials; vegetable products n.e.s.1415Animal or vegetable fats and oils; prepared edible fats; waxes12116Preparations of meat, fish or crustaceans4617Sugars and sugar confectionery4218Cocoa and cocoa preparations1519Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; bakers' wares3320Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other plants7221Miscellaneous edible preparations4222Beverages, spirits and vinegar6423Residues from food industries; prepared animal fodder6824Tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes4625Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement17326Ores, slag and ash6527Mineral fuels, mineral oils and bituminous substances7528Inorganic chemicals; compounds of precious metals, rare earths32729Organic chemicals80030Pharmaceutical products21431Fertilisers2932Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes33733Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic, toilet preparations12434Soap, surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations5935Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes3836Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys2537Photographic or cinematographic goods10238Miscellaneous chemical products17539Plastics and articles thereof41140Rubber and articles thereof17441Raw hides and skins (other than furskins) and leather5042Articles of leather; saddlery; travel goods; handbags6243Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof2244Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal16445Cork and articles of cork1046Manufactures of straw, of esparto, of other plaiting materials1247Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material2148Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp21749Printed books, newspapers, pictures; printing industry products3450Silk2851Wool, fine or coarse animal hair; horsehair yarn and woven fabric10452Cotton42153Other vegetable textile fibres; paper yarn6354Man-made filaments; strip of man-made textile materials24255Man-made staple fibres20056Wadding, felt and nonwovens; twine, cordage, ropes5057Carpets and other textile floor coverings7158Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; tapestries8259Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics6860Knitted or crocheted fabrics4661Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted19162Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted20463Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and rags10064Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles6965Headgear and parts thereof1466Umbrellas, sun umbrellas, walking-sticks, whips and parts767Prepared feathers and down; artificial flowers; articles of human hair1568Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica9069Ceramic products6870Glass and glassware10471Pearls, precious stones, precious metals; imitation jewellery; coin9172Iron and steel50473Articles of iron or steel25974Copper and articles thereof9775Nickel and articles thereof2776Aluminium and articles thereof9778Lead and articles thereof1779Zinc and articles thereof2180Tin and articles thereof1181Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof6982Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks of base metal9883Miscellaneous articles of base metal6284Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances1,06985Electrical machinery and equipment; sound recorders; television60186Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts4187Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock17788Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof2089Ships, boats and floating structures2590Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring instruments26791Clocks and watches and parts thereof6792Musical instruments; parts and accessories1993Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories2094Furniture; bedding, mattresses; lamps; prefabricated buildings6895Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories5596Miscellaneous manufactured articles10097Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques1798Project imports; baggage; personal use imports (India-specific)13

A note on SAC codes (services)

This tool currently covers goods only — chapters 01-98 of the ITC-HS schedule. Servicesuse SAC codes (Services Accounting Code), a separate but related system within chapter 99. Common service codes include 998313 (IT consulting), 998314 (software development), 997331 (legal services), 996311 (hotel accommodation), and 998361 (advertising). Building a SAC-only complementary tool is on the roadmap; for now, refer to CBIC's SAC schedule directly when classifying services.

Frequently asked questions

What is an HSN code?▼

HSN stands for Harmonized System of Nomenclature. It's a globally standardised 6-digit product classification system maintained by the World Customs Organization. India extends the global 6-digit code with an additional 2 digits, producing the 8-digit ITC-HS (Indian Trade Classification - Harmonized System) used on every Indian invoice and customs document.

What does each digit of an HSN code mean?▼

Digits 1-2 = chapter (broad category, e.g. 85=electrical machinery, 87=vehicles, 30=pharmaceuticals). Digits 3-4 = heading (a specific group within the chapter, e.g. 8517=telephones). Digits 5-6 = sub-heading (international standard, e.g. 851712=cellular network telephones). Digits 7-8 = India-specific extension (sub-classifications used in customs and GST, e.g. 85171210=push-button mobile phones).

Do I need 4, 6, or 8 digits on my GST invoice?▼

Depends on annual turnover. ≤ ₹5 crore: 4 digits required (B2B), optional B2C. > ₹5 crore: 6 digits required for all invoices. Exports/imports always require the full 8-digit code regardless of turnover. The CBIC's notification 78/2020 - Central Tax has the full schedule.

How is HSN different from SAC?▼

Same system, different scope. HSN covers goods (chapters 01-98). SAC (Services Accounting Code) covers services and uses chapter 99 specifically. Both are part of the same numbering scheme — when the GST Council launched in 2017, they extended the international HSN with chapter 99 for services. This tool currently covers HSN goods only; SAC service codes are coming in a future update.

How do I find the right HSN for my product?▼

Three approaches in order of reliability: (1) check past invoices from your existing supplier — they've already classified the same goods; (2) find your product on this page using a keyword (rice, mobile, t-shirt, etc.) — the description will guide you to the closest match; (3) when in doubt, ask your CA or use CBIC's official ITC-HS schedule. Wrong HSN can mean wrong GST rate, which means wrong tax paid; getting it right matters.

Why does the same product have multiple HSN codes?▼

ITC-HS is hierarchical and very granular at 8 digits. "Mobile phone" at 4 digits is just 8517, but at 8 digits it splits into push-button (85171210), smartphone (85171290), portable wireless (85171110), and many more variants. Pick the most specific 8-digit code that matches your product. If genuinely unsure between two, the broader "Other" sub-code (usually ending in 90 or 99) is the safer fallback.

Are the HSN descriptions in this tool the official text?▼

Yes — they match CBIC's ITC-HS schedule wording (the full uppercase format with hierarchical " - " separators is preserved from the official notification). The dataset is drawn from a public ITC-HS export covering ~11,500 8-digit codes across 97 chapters.

What about GST rates? They're not shown here.▼

Intentionally omitted. GST rates change at every Council meeting (~quarterly), and stale rate data is worse than no rate data. For current rates, go to gst.gov.in's rate finder, or your CA. This tool tells you the right HSN; the rate then comes from the official CBIC notification for that code.

Is this lookup free? Do you log searches?▼

Free, no signup. The dataset of 11,481+ HSN codes runs server-side at Pyrelo; lookups don't leave our infrastructure. We don't track which codes you search for.

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