HSN Code Finder 2026 — Search 5,000+ Indian Products with GST Rate
Every Indian GST invoice needs the right HSN code (for goods) or SAC code (for services). Get it wrong and your buyer's input tax credit gets stuck, your GSTR-1 mismatches, and you spend a Saturday issuing credit notes. This guide gives you the structure of HSN codes, the chapters that matter most for Indian SMBs, 50+ common product examples with rates, and a free finder for 5,000+ products.
🔍 Free HSN Code Finder → search 5,000+ productsWhat's in this guide
What is an HSN code?
HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) is a 6-digit globally standardized product classification system maintained by the World Customs Organization. India extends it to 8 digits for tariff specificity. Under GST, every line item on a B2B invoice must carry an HSN code so the system knows what tax slab applies.
Example: If you sell a cell phone, its HSN is 8517 12 00 (Chapter 85 — Electrical machinery; Heading 17 — Telephones; Sub-heading 12 — Telephones for cellular networks). The GST rate attached is 12%.
Structure: 2-4-6-8 digit hierarchy
| Length | What it identifies | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 2-digit | Chapter (broad category) | 85 = Electrical machinery |
| 4-digit | Heading (specific group) | 8517 = Telephones |
| 6-digit | Sub-heading (international match) | 8517 12 = Cellular phones |
| 8-digit | Tariff item (India-specific) | 8517 12 00 = Smartphones |
Is HSN mandatory? Turnover thresholds
| Aggregate turnover | HSN required | Digits |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹1.5 crore | Optional (but B2B invoices recommend 4-digit) | — |
| ₹1.5 cr – ₹5 cr | Mandatory | 4-digit |
| Above ₹5 crore | Mandatory | 6-digit |
| Imports & exports | Always mandatory | 8-digit |
If you raise B2B invoices regardless of turnover, include the 4-digit HSN. Without it, your buyer's input tax credit reconciliation will flag the invoice and delay their refund.
HSN vs SAC — goods vs services
HSN = goods. SAC (Services Accounting Code) = services. Both are 6-digit in India.
| Type | Example product/service | Code | GST rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSN (goods) | Cell phone | 8517 12 | 12% |
| HSN (goods) | Cotton T-shirt (under ₹1000) | 6109 | 5% |
| SAC (services) | IT software development | 998314 | 18% |
| SAC (services) | Marketing & advertising | 998361 | 18% |
| SAC (services) | Legal consultation | 998213 | 18% |
50 common Indian products + HSN + GST rate
| Product | HSN | GST |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone | 8517 12 00 | 12% |
| Laptop / computer | 8471 30 10 | 18% |
| Television | 8528 72 00 | 18-28% |
| Cotton T-shirt (≤₹1,000) | 6109 10 | 5% |
| Cotton T-shirt (>₹1,000) | 6109 10 | 12% |
| Saree (silk) | 5007 | 5% |
| Footwear (≤₹1,000) | 6403 | 5% |
| Footwear (>₹1,000) | 6403 | 18% |
| Wheat flour (packaged) | 1101 | 5% |
| Tea (packaged) | 0902 | 5% |
| Coffee (instant) | 2101 11 | 18% |
| Bottled water | 2201 90 | 18% |
| Aerated drinks | 2202 10 | 28% |
| Biscuits | 1905 31 | 18% |
| Chocolate | 1806 | 18% |
| Refrigerator | 8418 | 28% |
| Air conditioner | 8415 | 28% |
| Washing machine | 8450 | 28% |
| Two-wheeler (≤350cc) | 8711 | 28% |
| Car (small petrol) | 8703 | 28% + cess |
| Cement | 2523 | 28% |
| Paint | 3208 / 3209 | 18% |
| Furniture (wooden) | 9403 | 18% |
| Stationery (paper) | 4820 | 18% |
| Books | 4901 | 0% |
| Mobile accessories (charger, earphone) | 8504 / 8518 | 18% |
| Solar panel | 8541 40 | 5-12% |
| LED bulb | 9405 10 | 12% |
| Soap | 3401 | 18% |
| Toothpaste | 3306 10 | 18% |
| Detergent | 3402 20 | 18% |
| Fertilizer | 3105 | 5% |
| Pesticide | 3808 | 18% |
| Tobacco products | 2402 | 28% + cess |
| Petrol / diesel | 2710 | Excluded from GST |
| Gold / silver jewellery | 7113 | 3% |
| Diamond jewellery | 7113 | 3% |
| Watches | 9101 / 9102 | 18% |
| Eyewear (spectacles) | 9004 | 18% |
| Stationery (pen) | 9608 | 12% |
| Software (downloaded) | 998434 (SAC) | 18% |
| Software (CD/DVD) | 8523 | 18% |
| Web hosting | 998315 (SAC) | 18% |
| Domain registration | 998314 (SAC) | 18% |
| Photography services | 998386 (SAC) | 18% |
| Catering | 996332 (SAC) | 5-18% |
| Restaurant (no AC) | 996331 (SAC) | 5% |
| Restaurant (AC) | 996331 (SAC) | 18% |
| Coaching / tuition | 999293 (SAC) | 18% |
| Online course | 999294 (SAC) | 18% |
How to find the right HSN code (3 methods)
Method 1 — Use a finder tool (fastest)
Type the product name into a tool like ByteZBridge's HSN finder. It auto-suggests the closest matches with rates. 30 seconds vs 30 minutes of PDF browsing.
Method 2 — CBIC official portal
Visit cbic.gov.in → GST → HSN Lookup. Browse the chapter list (1-99). Drill down by description. Best for borderline cases where you need the exact 8-digit tariff item.
Method 3 — Cross-check with the GST rate notification
Once you have a candidate HSN, verify it against the latest "Notification No. X — Central Tax (Rate)" PDF on the CBIC site. The notifications are the legal source of truth for rates.
Common HSN mistakes
Mistake 1 — Wrong chapter
Putting "smartphone case" under chapter 85 (electronics) when it's actually 4202 (cases & containers). Always start from the product's primary material/function.
Mistake 2 — Stale rate
GST Council periodically revises rates (e.g., affordable housing went 12% → 5%, electric vehicles 12% → 5%). Using a 2-year-old rate is a common audit flag.
Mistake 3 — Ignoring price thresholds
Cotton T-shirt is 5% if priced ≤ ₹1,000 and 12% if > ₹1,000. Same HSN, different slab. Footwear and several textile items have similar threshold rules.
Mistake 4 — Mixing HSN with SAC
If you sell a "software product" (downloaded e-product), it's SAC 998434. If you sell software on a CD, it's HSN 8523. Different codes, different reconciliation paths.
Auto-fill HSN + GST on every invoice. ₹9,999 lifetime →Frequently asked questions
What is an HSN code?
HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) is a 6-8 digit code that classifies goods worldwide for taxation. Under GST, every B2B invoice line must carry an HSN so the right tax rate applies.
Is HSN code mandatory on a GST invoice?
Yes for most. Above ₹5 crore turnover: 6-digit mandatory. ₹1.5–5 crore: 4-digit mandatory. Below ₹1.5 crore: optional (but recommended for B2B).
What is the difference between HSN and SAC?
HSN classifies goods; SAC classifies services. Both are 6-digit in India. Use HSN for products and SAC for services on invoices — never both for the same line.
How do I find the right HSN code for my product?
Use a finder tool (fastest), the CBIC HSN lookup portal (most authoritative), or cross-check the GST rate notification for the exact tariff item.
Can I use the same HSN code for similar products?
Only if they share the 6-digit classification. "Cotton T-shirt" and "cotton shirt" both fall under chapter 61 but have different headings (6109 vs 6105). Wrong HSN can shift the GST rate.
What happens if I use the wrong HSN code?
Wrong HSN means wrong rate. Issue a credit note for the wrong invoice and raise a fresh one. Repeated mistakes attract penalties and reconciliation notices.
Is the ByteZBridge HSN finder free?
Yes — the HSN finder at gstinvoice.app/hsn-code-finder is free. Covers 5,000+ products with rates and auto-suggestions. The ₹9,999 lifetime plan adds full invoice generation with auto-HSN fill.