Free HSN / SAC Code Finder for GST

Indian GST requires every taxable invoice to carry an HSN code (goods) or SAC code (services). Picking the right code is non-trivial — there are 21 sections, 99 chapters, 1,200+ headings, and 5,000+ tariff lines in the official HSN list. This finder gives you a quick search across the most-used codes for Indian SMBs: type a product or service name, see the code, GST rate, and example products in one tap.

For routine commerce (mobile phones, laptops, garments, restaurant services, professional services, real estate, GTA), this covers what you need. For niche industries, cross-check with the official CBIC list for the exact 6 / 8-digit code.

An HSN code is a hierarchical classifier:

• 2 digits = chapter (e.g., 85 = electrical machinery).
• 4 digits = heading (e.g., 8517 = telephone sets, including smartphones).
• 6 digits = sub-heading (e.g., 851712 = mobile phones).
• 8 digits = tariff item — India-specific extension (e.g., 85171200 = mobile phones).

The 6-digit code is internationally standardized under the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System. The 8-digit Indian extension provides additional granularity for customs and GST purposes. Most domestic invoices use 4 or 6 digits depending on turnover; 8-digit is required for customs filings and e-Invoicing for B2B.

How many digits do I need?

• Turnover ≤ ₹5 Cr: 4-digit HSN on B2B invoices, no HSN required on B2C invoices (optional).
• Turnover > ₹5 Cr: 6-digit HSN on all B2B and B2C invoices.
• Exports / imports: 8-digit HSN regardless of turnover.
• SAC for services: always 6-digit.

SAC codes follow a separate, simpler structure:

• All SAC codes start with 99.
• The next 4 digits identify the service category (e.g., 9983 = professional and consulting services; 9954 = construction).
• The full SAC is 6 digits.

Common SAC codes for Indian SMBs:

• 998311 / 998313 / 998314 — Management / IT consulting / IT development.
• 998352 — Legal services (advocate fees).
• 998391 — Accounting, auditing, bookkeeping.
• 997332 — Renting of commercial property (office, shop).
• 997331 — Renting of residential property (mostly exempt if used as dwelling).
• 996411 / 996511 — Goods transport (road / multimodal).
• 997411 — Restaurant services (AC).
• 997412 — Restaurant services (non-AC, standalone).

India's GST has five standard slabs:

• 0% (Nil) — essentials: fresh produce, milk, salt, books, jaggery, unpacked rice / wheat. Zero-rated for exports.
• 5% — mass-consumption: tea, coffee (instant), edible oil, sugar, footwear ≤ ₹1,000, hotel rooms ≤ ₹7,500/night, small restaurants, GTA without ITC.
• 12% — standard staples: processed food, mobile phones, business class flights, ayurvedic medicines, allopathic medicines.
• 18% — default for B2B services and most goods: capital goods, IT services, professional services, telecom, banking, software, commercial rent, legal services, sponsorship.
• 28% — luxury / demerit: cars, motorcycles > 350cc, AC, refrigerators, TVs > 32 inch, tobacco, aerated drinks, cement.

A few items (tobacco, aerated drinks, automobiles, coal) carry an additional compensation cess on top of the 28% GST.

GST rates are set by the GST Council — a constitutional body chaired by the Union Finance Minister, with all state Finance Ministers as members. Decisions require a 3/4 majority. The Council meets roughly quarterly; rate changes are notified by CBIC notifications which are gazette-published.

For any single product, look at:

1. The chapter and heading in the HSN system. Most products fit naturally into a chapter.
2. The rate notification (1/2017-CT(R) for goods, 11/2017-CT(R) for services) and all subsequent amendments.
3. Schedule I (nil), II (5%), III (12%), IV (18%), V (28%) in the goods rate notification.

For services, every entry in 11/2017-CT(R) specifies the rate and conditions (with or without ITC). Always check the latest amendment via the CBIC website or a trusted GST library.

• Using a generic "others" code when a specific one exists. "9999" is not a valid HSN. Pick the most-specific available code.
• Same product, different codes on different invoices. Standardize HSN per inventory item. Inconsistency triggers questions during GSTR-2A reconciliation by your buyer.
• Wrong HSN at the wrong rate. A textile invoice with HSN 5208 (cotton fabric, 5%) but rate 18% is a clear error — either the HSN or the rate is wrong.
• Service rendered, goods HSN used. Plumbing services billed under 8418 (refrigerators) instead of 9954 (construction services). The HSN should reflect what you actually sold.
• HSN missing entirely. The GST portal rejects e-Invoice JSON without HSN. Even on non-e-Invoice paper invoices, missing HSN is a compliance defect.
• Different HSN on quotation vs invoice. If your sales team has a different HSN library from your finance team, customers see inconsistency. Single source of truth.

This finder covers ~50 most-common HSN / SAC codes for Indian SMBs. The full CBIC HSN master has ~5,000 codes covering every conceivable category — agriculture, chemicals, plastics, machinery, instruments, art, etc. For codes outside this list:

• Browse the official CBIC HSN list at cbic-gst.gov.in.
• Use the GST portal's "Search HSN" tool inside the registered taxpayer login.
• Consult your CA — they keep an updated HSN library for their client base.
• For genuinely ambiguous classifications, apply for an Advance Ruling from the state AAR.

ReadyBooks ships with a built-in HSN library of all CBIC codes, updated with every rate notification. Setting HSN per inventory item once means every invoice automatically carries it — no per-invoice manual entry.