HSN & SAC Code Finder for Common Indian Trades

Last updated: 27 June 2026 · HSN digit rules for GSTR-1 Table 12.

HSN codes classify goods and SAC codes classify services for GST; the number of digits you must report depends on turnover — 4 digits up to ₹5 crore, 6 digits above. Always confirm the exact code for your specific product on the official CBIC rate finder, because rates and classifications are item-specific. Below are common starting points for Indian trades and an Excel VLOOKUP to auto-fill codes and rates.

Key takeaways

HSN = goods, SAC = services. Both are mandatory on GST invoices and in GSTR-1 Table 12.
Digits required: 4 if turnover ≤ ₹5 crore, 6 if above ₹5 crore.
Codes are item-specific — the lists below are starting points; verify your exact code on the CBIC rate finder.
Table 12 now uses a dropdown on the portal, split into B2B and B2C tabs, and must reconcile with the rest of GSTR-1.
Build a VLOOKUP table in Excel so picking an item auto-fills its HSN/SAC and current GST rate.
A wrong HSN can mean a wrong rate, a mismatch, and a blocked buyer ITC.

Fact box. HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) codes classify goods; SAC (Services Accounting Code) classify services. In GSTR-1 Table 12, businesses with turnover up to ₹5 crore report 4-digit HSN and those above ₹5 crore report 6-digit HSN. (Source: GSTN HSN advisory; CBIC.)

How many HSN digits do I need on invoices?

It depends on your aggregate annual turnover:

Turnover (AATO)	HSN/SAC digits
Up to ₹5 crore	4 digits (mandatory on B2B; optional on B2C)
Above ₹5 crore	6 digits (all invoices)

On the portal, GSTR-1 Table 12 now requires you to select HSN from a dropdown rather than type it, splits B2B and B2C into separate tabs, and checks that the HSN totals reconcile with the rest of the return.

What are common HSN codes for Indian trades?

These are frequent starting points — confirm the precise sub-code and rate for your exact product on the CBIC rate finder. Rates are item-specific and change by notification; the notes below indicate the general direction after the September 2025 GST 2.0 reform.

Trade / item	Typical HSN	Note
Garments / apparel	6109, 6203	Rate depends on the per-piece value — confirm the applicable sub-heading and rate on the CBIC rate finder
Footwear	6403, 6402	Rate varies by type and value; confirm on the CBIC rate finder
Computers / laptops	8471	Electronics
Mobile phones	8517	Electronics
Furniture	9403	Wood/metal
Stationery (notebooks)	4820	Many education items Nil/5%
Packaged food staples	1006, 1101	Generally 5%; confirm exact HSN on CBIC rate finder
Hair oil / shampoo / soap	3305, 3401	Moved toward 5% in GST 2.0; confirm exact rate on CBIC rate finder
Cement	2523	Moved to 18% from 28%
Pharmaceuticals	3004	Several drugs Nil; rates are drug-specific — confirm on CBIC rate finder

What are common SAC codes for services?

For service businesses, SAC codes start at 99. Common ones:

Service	Typical SAC
Restaurant / catering	9963
Goods transport (GTA)	9965, 9967
Works contract / construction	9954
IT / software services	9983
Legal & accounting	9982
Business support services	9985
Repair & maintenance	9987

Confirm the precise sub-code, since the rate often hinges on the exact service description. Rates are SAC-specific — always verify on the CBIC GST rate finder before invoicing.

Fact box. GST rates are item-specific and change by notification. The same broad category can contain items at different slabs, so the only reliable source for your exact rate is the official CBIC GST rate finder, matched to your precise HSN/SAC. (Source: CBIC rate finder.)

How do I auto-fill HSN and rate in Excel?

Keep a small master table — item name, HSN/SAC, rate — on a separate sheet, then VLOOKUP (or XLOOKUP) from your invoice:

HSN   =XLOOKUP(Item, Master!Item, Master!HSN, "Not found")
Rate  =XLOOKUP(Item, Master!Item, Master!Rate, "")

Now choosing an item fills its HSN and current rate automatically, and a single edit to the master table updates every future invoice — handy when a rate changes by notification.

How Ankeshan helps: Ankeshan ships a maintained HSN/SAC and rate table inside Excel, so selecting an item fills the right code and the current GST 2.0 rate — and a government rate change updates the table for you. It's launching soon; join the waitlist.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between HSN and SAC? HSN codes classify goods; SAC codes classify services. Both identify what you're supplying so the correct GST rate applies.

How many digits of HSN do I need? Four digits if your turnover is up to ₹5 crore, six digits if above ₹5 crore. Table 12 of GSTR-1 now uses a dropdown.

Where can I find the official HSN code for my product? On the CBIC GST rate finder, searching by product description. Always confirm the rate against your exact code, as rates are item-specific.

What happens if I use the wrong HSN code? You may apply the wrong rate, create a return mismatch, and affect your buyer's Input Tax Credit. Correct it as soon as you spot it.

Are SAC codes mandatory for services? Yes, services must carry the appropriate SAC, with the same 4/6-digit reporting logic by turnover.

Sources

GSTN: HSN reporting in GSTR-1 Table 12 advisory (4/6-digit, dropdown) — tutorial.gst.gov.in.
CBIC: GST rate finder and HSN/SAC classification — cbic-gst.gov.in.

General information, not professional advice. Verify on the official portal for your case. Reviewed by a Chartered Accountant; last updated 27 June 2026.