How to Find the HSN Code for Any Product

What an HSN code is, and why it matters

HSN is an international system, used by more than 200 countries, that gives every kind of product a number. India uses it for customs and for GST. When you write the HSN code on a GST invoice, you are telling the tax department exactly what you sold, and the code links to the GST rate for that item.

A wrong code causes real problems. Your bill may carry the wrong rate, your buyer's input tax credit can be questioned, and your returns may not match your supplier's. Getting the code right once, when you add a product, saves you from all of that.

How an HSN code is built

Each pair of digits makes the description narrower. Take a laptop:

The first 6 digits are the same worldwide. The last 2 are India's own. For most small businesses, the 4-digit heading is what matters on the bill, but knowing the full code helps when two similar items have different rates.

Five ways to find the right HSN code

1. Your supplier's purchase bill

If you resell goods, your supplier's GST invoice already shows the HSN code. Use the same code, as long as you sell the item in the same form. If you change it (for example, you buy loose and sell packed and labelled), the code or rate may change.

2. The GST portal's HSN/SAC search

The GST portal has a free search at services.gst.gov.in. You do not need to log in. Choose goods or services, type the product name, and pick the closest description. It shows the code and its description.

3. Our free HSN code finder

The BillBabu HSN code finder lists common shop items with their HSN codes and the GST 2.0 rates, checked on 4 October 2026. It is a quick starting point for everyday goods like soap, biscuits, cement or mobile phones.

4. The customs tariff and CBIC rate notifications

For anything unusual, the customs tariff (organised by chapter) gives the full 8-digit codes, and the CBIC GST rate notifications give the rate for each heading. They are long, but they are the final word.

5. Ask your CA

For mixed items, gift hampers, or anything where the rate depends on price, packing or use, a short call with your CA is worth it. Once the code is decided, write it down against the product so the question never comes up again.

How many digits to print on your invoice

You can always print more digits than required. Many shops print the full code their supplier uses, which keeps purchase and sale records consistent.

Worked example: three items, three answers

Meena runs a general store in Indore and is adding products to her billing app.

• Toothpaste: her supplier's bill shows HSN 3306. The HSN finder confirms 3306 (toothpaste and tooth powder) at 5%. At ₹200 before tax, the GST is ₹10.
• Cold drinks: the supplier's bill shows 2202. Aerated and sugary drinks are at 40% under GST 2.0, so a ₹250 crate of bottles carries ₹100 of GST.
• Rice: she sells some loose and some in her own labelled 5 kg packs. The heading is 1006 for both, but loose rice is nil-rated while pre-packed and labelled rice is taxed. She checks the condition with her CA and creates two products, one for each.

Two products with the same heading can still need different rates. That is why the code and the rate belong together on each product.

Mistakes to avoid

• Searching by brand name. HSN describes what the product is, not who made it. Search "toothpaste", not the brand.
• Stopping at the chapter. A 2-digit chapter is not enough. Print at least the 4-digit heading.
• Using an HSN code for a service. Services use SAC codes starting with 99, for example 9983 for professional and IT services.
• Keeping an old rate. Many rates changed on 22 September 2025. A correct code with an old rate is still a wrong bill. See the current GST rates.
• One code for a mixed pack. A gift pack with different goods may be taxed as a mixed or composite supply, which has its own rule. Ask your CA.

Save the code once, use it on every bill

In the BillBabu app, every product in your catalogue has an HSN/SAC field and a GST rate. When you pick that product on an invoice, its price, HSN code and GST rate fill in by themselves, so you are not typing codes at the counter. The Classic and Ledger PDF designs also print an HSN-wise tax summary at the bottom of the bill, which is handy for your CA.

Once the code and rate are right, the tax split depends on where you deliver. Our guide to CGST, SGST and IGST explains it. Service providers can find common SAC codes in the GST invoice format for freelancers and service providers.

HSN rules and rates checked on 4 October 2026, under the GST 2.0 rates in force since 22 September 2025. Rates can depend on the exact item, its price or its packing, so confirm your item in the CBIC rate notification or with your CA.

Frequently asked questions

Is an HSN code mandatory for small businesses?

If your turnover was up to ₹5 crore last year, a 4-digit HSN code is required on invoices to registered buyers and optional on bills to consumers. Above ₹5 crore, a 6-digit code is required on all invoices.

What is the difference between HSN and SAC?

HSN codes classify goods. SAC (Services Accounting Code) codes classify services and always start with 99. A repair shop that sells parts and labour needs both.

Where can I search HSN codes for free?

On the GST portal's HSN/SAC search, which needs no login, and in the BillBabu HSN code finder for common items with their current rates.

Can two different products have the same HSN code?

Yes. Many similar products share a heading. The rate can still differ if a condition applies, such as price per piece for clothes or packing for food grains.

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