Cement HSN Code: Understanding HSN Classifications for Cement Products
Cement is one of the most important building materials in India. To raise correct bills and follow GST rules, you must know the correct HSN code for cement and cement related products.
This guide explains the main cement HSN code, the codes for cement bricks, sheets and cement bags, and how these HSN codes link with GST rates for traders, manufacturers, builders and retailers
What Is the HSN Code for Cement?
HSN stands for Harmonised System of Nomenclature. It is a global system that groups goods under numbers so that tax rates can be applied in a uniform manner.
For normal cement, the main HSN code in India is 2523. This heading covers Portland cement , aluminous cement, slag cement and other similar hydraulic cements. The cement may be in powder form or in the form of clinkers.
Under the latest GST structure, cement under HSN 2523 is generally taxed at 18% for most regular supplies. Earlier cement was taxed at a higher slab, but now it usually falls in the 18% slab in line with the new three slab GST system.
In simple words, if you are selling ordinary cement bags for construction use, in most cases you will classify the item under HSN 2523 and apply the 18% GST rate unless a specific notification says otherwise.
Cement HSN Code Classification and GST Rates
Here are some commonly used HSN codes and GST rates for this category
Section Classification
Chapter Classification
| Chapter No | Chapter Title | Chapter Description |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Salt, Stones and Cement | Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement |
| 32 | Tanning or Dyeing Extracts; Dyes, Pigments and Other Colouring Matter | Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks |
| 38 | Miscellaneous Chemical Products | Miscellaneous chemical products |
| 68 | Stone, Cement & Plaster Items | Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials |
4 Digit HSN Code Classification
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2523 | Portland & Similar Hydraulic Cements | 5% |
| 3214 | Putty and caulking compounds | 12% |
| 3824 | Chemical products for moulds & cores | 18% |
| 6801 | Natural stone setts | 18% |
| 6802 | Worked monumental or building stone | 5% |
| 6808 | Cement/agglomerated vegetable panels | 18% |
| 6810 | Cement articles | 18% |
| 6811 | Asbestos-cement articles | 18% |
| 6815 | Stone/mineral articles, carbon fibres | 5% |
8 Digit HSN Code Classification
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 25231000 | Cement clinkers | 28% |
| 25232100 | White cement | 28% |
| 25232910 | Portland cement: Ordinary, dry | 28% |
| 25232920 | Ordinary Portland cement, colored | 28% |
| 25232930 | Portland cement: Portland pozzolan | 28% |
| 25232940 | Portland cement: Other: Portland slag cement | 28% |
| 25232990 | Portland Cement: Other: Other | 28% |
| 25233000 | Aluminous cement | 28% |
| 25239010 | Other Hydraulic Cements: Sagol; Ashmoh | 28% |
| 25239020 | High alumina refractory cement | 28% |
| 25239090 | Other Hydraulic Cements: Other | 28% |
| 32141000 | Glaziers' putty and caulking compounds | 18% |
| 32149010 | Non-Refractory Surfacing Preparations | 18% |
| 32149020 | Other: Resin Cement | 18% |
| 32149090 | Glaziers Putty, Mastics, Fillers, Non-Refractory Surfacing | 18% |
| 38241000 | Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores | 18% |
| 38242010 | Naphthenic Acids | 18% |
| 38242020 | Other Naphthenic Acid Products | 18% |
| 38242090 | Mixtures: CFCs & Halogenated Derivatives | 18% |
| 38243000 | Metal Carbides Mixed: Non-Agglomerated or With Metallic Binders | 18% |
| 38244010 | Damp Proof/Water Proof Compounds | 18% |
| 38244090 | Cement additives: Other | 18% |
| 38245010 | Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) | 18% |
| 38245090 | Non-refractory mortars and concrete | 18% |
| 38246010 | Sorbitol Solution: Non-2905 44 | 18% |
| 38246090 | Sorbitol (other than sub-heading 2905 44) | 18% |
| 38247100 | Mixtures: Halogenated, Ozone Depleting | 18% |
| 38247110 | Mixtures: Halogenated (Fluorine/Chlorine) | 18% |
| 38247190 | Mixtures: Bromochlorodifluoromethane (BCF) | 18% |
| 38247200 | Mixtures: Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) | 18% |
| 38247300 | Mixtures: HCFCs (Excl. CFCs) | 18% |
| 38247400 | Mixtures: Carbon Tetrachloride | 18% |
| 38247500 | Mixtures: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 18% |
| 38247600 | Mixtures: Bromomethane/Bromochloromethane | 18% |
| 38247700 | Mixtures: PFCs/HFCs (Excl. CFCs/HCFCs) | 18% |
| 38247800 | Mixtures: Other Halogenated Derivatives | 18% |
| 38247900 | Mixtures: Other Ozone Depleting Substances | 18% |
| 38247910 | Mixtures: Other Perhalogenated | 18% |
| 38247990 | Ammoniacal Gas Liquors & Spent Oxide | 18% |
| 38248100 | Ethylene Oxide Mixtures | 18% |
| 38248200 | Mixtures With Pcbs: Containing Pcbs | 18% |
| 38248300 | Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) Phosphate Mixtures | 18% |
| 38248400 | Mixtures Containing Aldrin, Chlordane, Etc. | 18% |
| 38248500 | Enriched Uranium/Plutonium Products | 18% |
| 38248600 | Other HFC/PFC Mixtures | 18% |
| 38248700 | Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid Mixtures | 18% |
| 38248800 | Brominated Diphenyl Ethers Mixtures | 18% |
| 38248900 | Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins Mixtures | 18% |
| 38249011 | Case Hardening Compound | 18% |
| 38249012 | Heat Transfer Salts | 18% |
| 38249013 | Mixture of Diphenyl and Diphenyl Oxide | 18% |
| 38249014 | Mixed Polyethylene Glycols | 18% |
| 38249015 | Salts for Curing or Salting | 18% |
| 38249016 | Surface Tension Reducing Agents | 18% |
| 38249017 | Electroplating Salts | 18% |
| 38249021 | Water Treatment Chemicals; Ion Exchanger | 18% |
| 38249022 | Gramophone Records Making Material | 18% |
| 38249023 | Correcting Fluid | 18% |
| 38249024 | Precipitated Silica & Silica Gel | 18% |
| 38249025 | Oil Well Chemicals | 18% |
| 38249026 | Halogenated Hydrocarbon Mixtures (Other) | 18% |
| 38249031 | Ferrite Powder | 18% |
| 38249032 | Capacitor Fluids (PCB Type) | 18% |
| 38249033 | Dipping Oil for Grapes | 18% |
| 38249034 | Polybrominated/Chlorinated Biphenyls/Terphenyls | 18% |
| 38249035 | Hazardous Waste Materials | 18% |
| 38249036 | Phosphogypsum | 18% |
| 38249037 | Phosphonic Acid, Methyl Cmpd. w/ Urea | 18% |
| 38249038 | Other Chemical Preparations (NESOI) | 18% |
| 38249090 | Linear Medium Density Polyethylene (LMDPE) | 18% |
| 38249100 | Hazardous Waste (Containing Specific Components) | 18% |
| 38249200 | Other: Polyglycol esters of methylphosphonic acid | 18% |
| 38249900 | Prepared Binders & Chemical Products for Foundries | 18% |
| 68010000 | Articles of Stone, Plaster, Cement, Asbestos, Mica | 18% |
| 68021000 | Worked Monumental or Building Stone | 18% |
| 68022110 | Marble Blocks & Tiles | 18% |
| 68022120 | Marble Monumental Stone | 18% |
| 68022190 | Other Marble Building Stone | 18% |
| 68022200 | Asbestos-Cement Corrugated Sheets | 18% |
| 68022310 | Granite Blocks & Tiles | 18% |
| 68022390 | Other Granite Building Stone | 18% |
| 68022900 | Other Building Stones | 18% |
| 68029100 | Marble, Travertine & Alabaster - Others | 18% |
| 68029200 | Other Calcareous Building Stones | 18% |
| 68029300 | Granite - Other Articles | 18% |
| 68029900 | Other Stone Articles | 18% |
| 68080000 | Abrasive Powder & Grain of Artificial Stone | 18% |
| 68101110 | Worked Granite & Articles Thereof | 18% |
| 68101190 | Other Worked Natural Stone Articles | 18% |
| 68101910 | Worked Artificial Stone & Articles | 18% |
| 68101990 | Other Worked Artificial Stone Articles | 18% |
| 68109100 | Articles of Slate & Similar Materials | 18% |
| 68109910 | Other Concrete & Article | 18% |
| 68109990 | Other Articles of Natural or Artificial Slate | 18% |
| 68111000 | Asbestos-Cement Sheets | 18% |
| 68112010 | Asbestos-Cement Tiles | 18% |
| 68112020 | Other Asbestos-Cement Sheets/Panels/Tiles | 18% |
| 68112090 | Asbestos-Cement Pipes | 18% |
| 68113010 | Other Asbestos-Cement Tubes/Pipes/Fittings | 18% |
| 68113090 | Other Asbestos-Cement Articles | 18% |
| 68114010 | Containing asbestos-cement sheets | 18% |
| 68114020 | Worked Monumental or Building Stone: Granite | 18% |
| 68114090 | Other Worked Monumental or Building Stone | 18% |
| 68118100 | Knotted Netting of Pebbles, Gravel and Similar Articles | 18% |
| 68118200 | Other Articles of Natural Stone | 18% |
| 68118910 | Asbestos-Cement Articles: Tubes & Pipes | 18% |
| 68118990 | Other Asbestos-Cement Articles | 18% |
| 68119000 | Asbestos Clothing/Clothing Accessories/Footwear/Headgear | 18% |
| 68151010 | Other Non-Electrical Graphite/Carbon Articles | 18% |
| 68151020 | Basalt Fibre/Filament (ASTM D3039, C1185) | 18% |
| 68151090 | Magnesia Carbon/Graphetised Alumina Refractory | 18% |
| 68151100 | Articles of Asbestos Cement | 18% |
| 68151200 | Other Asbestos Cement Articles | 18% |
| 68151300 | Articles of Asbestos Mixtures | 18% |
| 68151900 | Other Articles of Asbestos | 18% |
| 68152000 | Asbestos Textile and Millboard Articles | 18% |
| 68159100 | Asbestos and Similar Articles | 18% |
| 68159910 | Lagging Compounds of Asbestos | 12% |
| 68159920 | Other Lagging Compounds | 18% |
| 68159930 | Other Refractory Ceramic Goods (>50% Graphite/Carbon) | 18% |
| 68159990 | Miscellaneous Lagging Compounds | 18% |
* GST rates may vary based on the latest GST notifications and amendments
HSN Code for Cement Bricks and Sheets
Cement bricks and cement sheets are not classified in the same heading as basic cement. They are treated as finished articles and mostly fall under chapter 68 of the HSN list.
The common heading for such items is HSN 6810 . This heading covers articles of cement, of concrete or of artificial stone. It includes cement bricks, blocks, tiles, slabs and many prefabricated items used in building work.
For example, solid cement bricks used for walls and foundations are normally classified under the detailed lines of 6810. Roofing sheets and structural parts made mainly from cement or concrete also remain inside this heading.
In most cases these cement bricks and sheets also attract GST around 18%, similar to other building material products, unless a special entry gives a different treatment.
HSN Code for Cement Bags, Bricks, and Sheets
The term cement bag can cause confusion. It can mean the filled cement bag that you sell to a customer or it can mean the empty packing bag purchased from a supplier.
The cement inside a bag is still cement under HSN 2523 and is taxed as cement. The bag does not change the HSN code of the cement itself.
Empty cement packing bags have their own HSN code based on the material used.
Plastic woven sacks and bags that are used for packing cement fall under chapter 39 which covers plastic items used for packing of goods. Many of these bags are placed in the 3923 series of HSN codes.
Textile based sacks and bags such as woven polypropylene or polyethylene bags are treated as textile articles and usually fall under chapter 63 , for example in the 6305 series of HSN codes.
Cement bricks and sheets as explained earlier generally fall under HSN 6810 because they are ready to use articles made from cement or concrete.
Because cement, cement bricks and empty cement bags sit in different chapters, they clearly do not share the same HSN code even though they are connected products. For correct GST treatment you should decide whether you are billing cement itself, a cement based article like a brick or sheet, or a packing material such as a bag and then apply the correct HSN code.
Cement GST Rates and HSN Code Classification
After the recent GST changes, most goods fall mainly in the five percent slab, the 18% slab or the forty percent slab for a small list of luxury or sin goods. Cement and most cement based products are placed in the 18% slab.
Here is a simple way to understand common HSN codes and usual GST treatment for cement and cement related goods.
- HSN 2523 covers ordinary Portland cement, slag cement, Pozzolana cement and similar hydraulic cements. The usual GST rate is around 18% for most regular supplies.
- HSN 6810 covers cement bricks, blocks, tiles, slabs and other articles of cement or concrete. These items also generally fall in the 18% slab.
- HSN 3923 series covers many plastic sacks and bags used for packing cement and other goods. These are mostly taxed around 18% as packing material.
- HSN 6305 and related codes cover textile based sacks and bags including woven polypropylene packing bags. These can be taxed at five percent or 18% depending on the exact entry and conditions mentioned in the rate notification.
You should always match the actual description of your item with the wording of the HSN entry. Check details such as the material of the product, its use, whether it is a basic material or a finished article and whether it is a packing item.
If the wording of the rate entry is not clear for your item, it is safer to read the latest GST notifications or take advice from a tax expert instead of guessing the rate.
How HSN Codes Impact GST for Cement Industry?
Correct HSN classification is very important for the cement industry because cement and cement based products are supplied in very large volumes and even a small mistake can repeat on many invoices.
First, the correct HSN code fixes the GST rate. If you use a cement HSN code that has a lower rate than what is actually applicable, there can be a future tax demand with interest and penalties. If you use a higher rate, your product becomes costlier and you may lose customers.
Second, correct HSN codes support proper input tax credit . Builders, contractors and dealers claim credit on cement purchases. If the supplier uses a wrong code or wrong rate, there can be confusion during audits and assessments.
Third, most businesses use billing and accounting software where HSN codes are mapped to GST rates. If the mapping for cement, cement bricks or cement bags is wrong, then every sale bill may show the wrong tax rate until the mistake is corrected.
To manage these risks, cement businesses should maintain an internal HSN master that clearly lists all cement products, cement based articles and packing materials along with their correct HSN codes and usual GST rates.
Conclusion
Knowing the correct cement HSN code is essential for every business that makes, trades or uses cement and cement based products. Basic cement is usually classified under HSN 2523, while cement bricks, sheets and empty packing bags move to different chapters like 6810, 3923 or 6305 based on their nature.
When you match each product with the right HSN code and GST rate, your invoices become accurate, your input tax credit remains safe and the chances of future disputes and penalties reduce. A clear understanding of cement HSN codes makes daily billing easier and helps your business stay fully compliant with GST rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the HSN code for cement in India?
The main HSN code for cement in India is 2523. This heading covers ordinary Portland cement, slag cement, Pozzolana cement and other similar hydraulic cements in powder form or as clinkers.
-
How does the HSN code affect GST rates for cement products?
The HSN code links each cement product to a specific GST entry. Cement under HSN 2523 usually attracts 18% GST, while cement bricks and sheets under 6810 and packing bags under 3923 or 6305 may also fall in the 18% slab or sometimes five percent for some textile bags. If the HSN code is wrong, the GST rate applied can also be wrong.
-
What is the HSN code for white cement?
White cement is generally classified as a specific type of cement under the detailed lines of heading 2523. In practice it is treated as a variety of Portland cement and follows the same broad HSN chapter as other cements. You should check the detailed sub code for the exact product you sell.
-
What is the GST rate for cement and its products under HSN code?
For normal cement under HSN 2523, the usual GST rate is around 18% for most supplies as per the latest rate structure. Many cement based products under 6810 and packing bags under 3923 also fall in the 18% slab, while some textile sacks under 6305 can attract five percent or 18% depending on the conditions in the notification.
-
Are cement bags and cement bricks classified under different HSN codes?
Yes, they are placed in different chapters. Cement bricks and similar articles normally fall under HSN 6810 as articles of cement or concrete. Empty cement packing bags are placed under chapter 39 for plastic bags or chapter 63 for textile sacks. The cement itself remains under HSN 2523. Because of this they can have different GST treatments.
