Hardware HSN Code: Understanding HSN Classifications for Hardware Products
Hardware products like screws, nails, hinges, locks, handles and brackets are used in homes, shops, factories and construction sites. They are small in size but they play a big role in building, repairs and installations.
To charge GST correctly and keep records clear, businesses must understand how hardware items are classified under HSN and what GST rates usually apply to these products.
What Is the Hardware HSN Code
There is no single HSN code that covers all hardware products in India. Hardware items are spread across different chapters of the tariff based on the material and use of each item.
Metal fasteners such as screws, bolts and nuts usually fall in the iron and steel fastener group. Nails, tacks and drawing pins also sit in this family. Hinges, brackets and similar fittings for doors, windows and furniture often fall under another heading that covers mountings and fittings of base metal.
Locks, padlocks and similar security devices use their own heading in the tariff. Hand tools such as spanners, pliers and manual cutters are grouped under the tools chapter. Each hardware item must be checked carefully and matched with the correct heading before it is created in the item master.
In day to day practice, many hardware traders create major categories like fasteners, hinges and fittings, locks, hand tools and plumbing hardware and assign an appropriate HSN code group to each category rather than trying to use one code for every hardware item.
| HSN Code | Product Description | Product Type or Variant | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7318 | Iron or steel fasteners | Screws, bolts, nuts, washers and similar fasteners | 18% |
| 73181500 | Screws and bolts | Other screws and bolts, whether or not with their nuts or washers | 18% |
| 7317 | Nails and similar items | Nails, tacks, staples, drawing pins of iron or steel | 18% |
| 8302 | Mountings and fittings | Hinges, brackets, stays and other base metal fittings | 18% |
| 8301 | Locks and padlocks | Padlocks, door locks, cupboard locks and similar base metal locks | 18% |
| 8205 | Hand tools and hardware | Spanners, wrenches, pliers, hammers, screwdrivers and similar tools | 18% |
HSN Code for Hardware Materials and Products
Fasteners are a big part of the hardware trade. Screws, bolts, nuts, washers and similar fasteners made of iron or steel are grouped together in the fastener heading. Within this heading there are detailed lines for machine screws, wood screws, self drilling screws and other designs, but the broad family is the same for most fasteners.
Nails, tacks, staples and drawing pins are also common hardware items. Many of these products sit in a nearby heading that covers nails and similar articles of iron or steel. For billing, traders shape their item list to show clear names like concrete nails, wire nails and staples and link them to the correct nail group HSN code.
Hinges, brackets, stays, tower bolts, latches and other fittings for doors, windows, cupboards and furniture are treated as mountings and fittings of base metal. These products sit in a separate chapter entry that covers fittings used on buildings and furniture. Even though they are sold side by side with screws and nails, their HSN code family is different.
Locks, padlocks and similar security products use their own heading for locks of base metal. Hand tools like wrenches, pliers, hammers and screwdrivers sit in the hand tools chapter. As a result, a typical hardware shop will use several HSN codes for different product groups even though customers see them all as hardware.
GST on Hardware Items and HSN Code Classification
Under the current GST structure, most hardware items such as screws, nails, hinges, locks and small hand tools are taxed at 18% GST. They are treated as standard goods and fall under the common 18% slab unless a special notification gives a concession for a particular product.
Some basic items used in agriculture or certain building projects may enjoy a lower slab under specific entries, but for normal hardware used in houses, offices and factories the 18% rate is usually applied.
If a product is supplied as part of a complete system, such as a full door set with lock, handle, hinges and stopper, the HSN code and rate can be decided based on the main item in the set or as per composite supply rules. In such cases businesses should still keep the correct HSN mapping in their item masters for each hardware part.
For GST compliance, hardware wholesalers and retailers create item codes for each category such as screws, nails, hinges, locks and tools and assign the correct HSN code and GST rate to each. Invoices show the item description, HSN code and GST amount needed for every line.
When filing GST returns, outward supplies are reported HSN wise. Sales of fasteners, fittings, locks and tools are grouped under their respective HSN families. Buyers such as contractors, builders and factories then claim input tax credit on the GST paid on these hardware items subject to general rules.
Conclusion
The hardware HSN code system does not use one single code for all hardware materials. Fasteners, nails, hinges, locks and hand tools each sit in their own HSN families based on their material and use.
When hardware businesses map every major product group to the correct HSN code and apply the standard GST slab of 18% for most regular hardware items, their billing becomes accurate and GST returns remain clear. This helps avoid classification disputes and lowers the risk of interest and penalties caused by wrong HSN codes or GST rates on hardware products.
I am a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and LLB graduate with 10 years of experience in corporate auditing, taxation, and financial consulting. My expertise includes corporate audits, income tax planning, HSN code classification, and GST rate advisory. Through my blogs and articles, I aim to simplify corporate taxation, auditing, and GST compliance, making financial matters more accessible for professionals and business owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the HSN code for hardware products in India?
There is no single HSN code for all hardware products in India. Screws, nails, hinges, locks, tools and other hardware items are placed in different HSN headings according to their material and use.
-
How are hardware materials classified under the HSN code?
Hardware materials are classified by type. Fasteners like screws and bolts sit in the fastener group, nails in a nearby nails group, hinges and brackets in the mountings and fittings group, locks in the locks group and tools in the hand tools chapter.
-
What is the GST rate for hardware items?
Most regular hardware items such as screws, nails, hinges, locks and small hand tools are taxed at 18% GST under the present rate structure. Only items covered by a special concessional entry move away from this standard slab.
-
How does the HSN code affect GST filing for hardware manufacturers?
The HSN code decides which GST rate applies and how sales are grouped in HSN wise summaries. When hardware manufacturers use correct HSN codes for each item, their GST returns show a clear breakup of sales and it becomes easier for customers to match and claim input tax credit.
-
Are hardware products like screws and nails under the same HSN code?
Screws and nails are closely related but they often use separate headings. Screws sit in the fastener group with bolts and nuts, while nails and tacks can sit in a nearby nails heading. They are part of the same broad iron and steel hardware family but do not always share the exact same HSN code.