Hand Wash HSN Code: Classification for Herbal, Antibacterial and Liquid Hand Wash
Hand wash is now a basic hygiene product for homes, offices, hospitals and shops. For every business that sells or buys hand wash in India, using the correct HSN code and GST rate is very important. It keeps invoices correct, avoids GST notices and makes it easy to claim input tax credit.
In this guide, we explain how herbal, antibacterial and liquid hand wash products are classified under HSN, which GST rate applies after GST 2.0 and what traders, manufacturers and distributors should keep in mind while billing.
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What is the HSN code for herbal hand wash?
Under GST, most liquid hand wash and skin cleansing products are covered under HSN chapter 34. Herbal hand wash that is mainly used for washing hands and skin normally falls under the broad heading HSN 3401, which covers soap and organic surface active products used for washing the skin.
If the product is sold in bottles, pouches or dispenser packs as hand wash, and the main purpose is to clean hands, then it is generally treated as a toilet soap or skin cleansing preparation under HSN 3401 for GST purposes.
Hand Wash HSN Code Classification and GST Rates
Here are some commonly used HSN codes and GST rates for this category
| Section | |
|---|---|
| Section No | 6 |
| Section Title | Guide to HSN Section 06 |
| Section Description | PRODUCTS OF THE CHEMICAL OR ALLIED INDUSTRIES |
| Chapter | |
|---|---|
| Chapter No | 34 |
| Chapter Title | Soap, Washing Preparations, Waxes |
| Chapter Description | Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental preparations with a basis of plaster |
4 Digit HSN Code Classification
8 Digit HSN Code Classification
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 34011110 | Medicated Toilet Soaps | 18% |
| 34011120 | Shaving Soaps For Toilet Use | 18% |
| 34011190 | Toilet Soaps And Products | 18% |
| 34011911 | Industrial Soap Bars And Blocks | 18% |
| 34011919 | Soap Bars | 18% |
| 34011920 | Other Hookah/Gudaku Tobacco (Unbranded) | 18% |
| 34011930 | Soap Flakes/Chips/Powder | 18% |
| 34011941 | Soap Products| Household Soaps | 18% |
| 34011942 | Soap Products| Laundry Soaps | 18% |
| 34011990 | Soap Tablets/Cakes | 18% |
| 34012000 | Soap In Other Forms | 18% |
| 34013011 | Medicated Toilet Soaps | 18% |
| 34013012 | Shaving Cream/Gel | 18% |
| 34013019 | Other Toilet Soaps | 18% |
| 34013090 | Other Skin Washing Products | 18% |
| 34021110 | Other Anionic Surfactants | 18% |
| 34021190 | Cationic Surfactants | 18% |
| 34021200 | Non-Ionic Surfactants | 18% |
| 34021300 | Other Organic Surfactants | 18% |
| 34021900 | Washing Preps: Soap/Surfactant Based (Retail) | 18% |
| 34022010 | Cleaning/Degreasing Preps (Retail) | 18% |
| 34022020 | Other Surface-Active Preps (Retail) | 18% |
| 34022090 | Artificial Waxes: Modified Lignite | 18% |
| 34023100 | Anionic Surfactants: Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid | 18% |
| 34023900 | Anionic Surfactants (Other) | 18% |
| 34024100 | Cationic Organic Surface-Active Agents | 18% |
| 34024200 | Non-ionic Organic Surface-Active Agents | 18% |
| 34024900 | Other Organic Surface-Active Agents | 18% |
| 34025000 | Preparations Put Up For Retail Sale | 18% |
| 34029011 | Non-Soap Cleaning/Degreasing (Synthetic, Retail) | 18% |
| 34029012 | Other Washing/Cleaning (Soap-Based, Retail) | 18% |
| 34029019 | Synthetic Detergent Preparations: Retail Sale, Other Types | 18% |
| 34029020 | Sulphonated Castor, Fish Or Sperm Oil | 5% |
| 34029030 | Penetrators in retail sale | 18% |
| 34029041 | Non-Soap Wetting Agents (Retail) | 18% |
| 34029042 | Soap-Based Washing/Cleaning (Retail) | 18% |
| 34029049 | Wetting agents | 18% |
| 34029051 | Non-Soap Cleaning/Degreasing (Retail) | 18% |
| 34029052 | Soap-Based Washing/Cleaning (Synthetic, Retail) | 18% |
| 34029059 | Organic Surface-Active Agents | 18% |
| 34029091 | Burning Odoriferous Preparations | 18% |
| 34029092 | Cleaning/Degreasing Preparations (Non-Soap) | 18% |
| 34029099 | Retail sale preparations | 18% |
* GST rates may vary based on the latest GST notifications
How Herbal and Antibacterial Hand Wash Are Classified under HSN
Herbal hand wash uses plant based or ayurvedic ingredients. Antibacterial hand wash may contain extra active agents that kill germs. Even though the composition is different, both types are still used mainly for washing hands and keeping skin clean.
Because the use and function are similar, herbal and antibacterial hand wash are usually kept under the same HSN heading 3401. Only in special cases, such as products that are clearly marketed and regulated as medicines, the classification may change. For normal retail hand wash bottles and refills, HSN 3401 with 18% GST is commonly followed.
The HSN Code for Liquid Hand Wash
Liquid hand wash can be sold in small pump bottles, family packs, refill pouches or bulk cans for hotels and offices. In all these cases, the HSN code generally remains under chapter 34 for soap and similar products.
Quantity, bottle size or packaging style do not normally change the basic HSN code. However, they may affect the way the product is priced and how the GST is shown on invoices. Bulk institutional supply may have a different trade price than retail MRP packs, but the code will still mostly remain HSN 3401.
GST on Hand Wash Products
Hand wash products that fall under HSN 3401 are generally taxed at 18% GST after 22 September 2025. This is the standard slab for most personal care and cosmetic products.
Example: If the taxable value of a carton of hand wash bottles is ₹10,000, then GST at 18% will be ₹1,800. The invoice value will be ₹11,800. A registered buyer can claim input tax credit on this 18% GST subject to normal rules.
There is usually no extra compensation cess on these products. Still, businesses should keep an eye on future GST Council decisions and notifications because rates and exemptions can change over time.
