BUSY is a simple, yet powerful GST / VAT compliant Business Accounting Software that has everything you need to grow your business.
India is famous for its spices, with every kitchen shelf stacked with turmeric, cumin, red chilli, garam masala, and more. Whether sold whole or in powdered form, loose or branded—spices fall under GST. In this blog, we explain the gst for spices, including tax rates, classifications, and what makes a spice item taxable or exempt.
Spices are classified under Chapter 9 of the HSN Code. The applicable GST rate depends on whether the spice is branded, packaged, or processed.
| Type of Spice Product | HSN Code | GST Rate | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole spices (unbranded) | 0904–0910 | 0% | Exempt when unbranded and unpacked |
| Branded/packaged whole spices | 0904–0910 | 5% | If sold under a brand name |
| Powdered spices (unbranded) | 0904–0910 | 5% | Lower slab for loose masala powder |
| Branded powdered spices | 0904–0910 | 5% or 12% | Depends on processing & branding |
| Spice mix (e.g., garam masala) | 0910 | 5% / 12% | Blended spices are often 12% |
If a spice is pre-packaged and sold under a registered brand name, it attracts GST even if the product itself is otherwise exempt when sold loose. This is where gst on branded spices becomes important for packaged food sellers.
Popular powdered and blended spice items include red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chaat masala, garam masala, and sambhar masala. These usually fall under 5%, but mixtures or heavily processed spice blends can fall under 12% if they are:
If you’re a GST-registered trader, manufacturer, or exporter, you may be eligible to claim Input Tax Credit on packaging, processing, and logistics costs incurred while selling taxable spice items.
Understanding the gst for spices helps food retailers, spice processors, and even households know the price breakdown better. From turmeric to garam masala, GST plays a role in how we spice up our meals.
BUSY is a simple, yet powerful GST / VAT compliant Business Accounting Software that has everything you need to grow your business.