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HSN Code 38021000: Activated Carbon

HSN Code 38021000 represents Activated Carbon under GST classification. This code helps businesses identify Activated Carbon correctly for billing, taxation, and trade. With HSN Code 38021000, companies can avoid errors in invoices, simplify compliance, and enable hassle-free import or export of Activated Carbon.

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Description of Goods for HSN Code 38021000

HSN Code 38021000 relates to the following description.

Description of Goods

Activated carbon

Chapter

38 - Miscellaneous chemical products

Sub Chapter

3802 - Activated carbon; activated natural mineral products; animal black, including spent animal black

CGST

9%

SGST

9%

IGST

18%

CESS

0%

What does HSN Code 38021000 not include?

Activated Carbon does not include products with the following descriptions.

HSN Code 38029020

Other: Animal black (for example bone black, ivory black), including spent animal black

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India’s Trade Performance — HSN Code 38021000 in FY 2025-26

TradeStat EIDB — Ministry of Commerce & Industry FY 2018-19–FY 2025-26 Values in ₹ Crore

India’s Exports

FY 2025-26

₹4,689 Cr

+67.46% vs FY 2024-25

0.1202% of India’s total exports

India’s Imports

FY 2025-26

₹651 Cr

+7.81% vs FY 2024-25

0.0095% of India’s total imports

Trade Balance

FY 2025-26

₹4,037 Cr

Trade Surplus

Surplus rank #96 of 12872 HSN codes

% of Sub-Chapter 3802

FY 2025-26

91.55%

Share of Sub-Chapter 3802’s total exports in FY 2025-26

Import side: 71.06% of Sub-Chapter 3802’s imports

Rank Within Sub-Chapter 3802

FY 2025-26

#1 of 5

Position by export value among HSN codes in Sub-Chapter 3802

Import-side rank: #1 of 5

At a glance

19.54%

Export CAGR

FY 2018-19 → FY 2025-26 · 8 fiscal years

#122

National Export Rank

of 12872 HSN codes by export value, FY 2025-26

+67.46%

Peak Growth Year

FY 2025-26 · strongest single-year move

91.55%

Contribution to Sub-Ch. 3802

Share of Sub-Chapter 3802 exports in FY 2025-26

India Export-Import Trade Statistics for HSN Code 38021000

8-year export and import data, FY 2018-19 to FY 2025-26, in ₹ Crore. Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, TradeStat EIDB.

FY 2018-19 Exp. Rank #240

Balance

+964.48

Exports

1,344.11 ₹ Cr

0.0588% share

— YoY

88.09% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

379.63 ₹ Cr

0.0106% share

— YoY

68.62% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2019-20 Exp. Rank #270

Balance

+791.17

Exports

1,184.60 ₹ Cr

0.0538% share

−11.87% YoY

84.37% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

393.43 ₹ Cr

0.0118% share

+3.64% YoY

69.68% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2020-21 Exp. Rank #221

Balance

+1,126.11

Exports

1,514.27 ₹ Cr

0.0704% share

+27.83% YoY

85.82% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

388.16 ₹ Cr

0.0133% share

−1.34% YoY

72.39% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2021-22 Exp. Rank #229

Balance

+1,618.42

Exports

2,064.14 ₹ Cr

0.0658% share

+36.31% YoY

89.11% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

445.72 ₹ Cr

0.0098% share

+14.83% YoY

72.12% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2022-23 Exp. Rank #205

Balance

+1,808.09

Exports

2,369.76 ₹ Cr

0.0655% share

+14.81% YoY

90.05% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

561.67 ₹ Cr

0.0098% share

+26.01% YoY

63.31% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2023-24 Exp. Rank #239

Balance

+1,468.94

Exports

2,108.41 ₹ Cr

0.0583% share

−11.03% YoY

87.13% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

639.47 ₹ Cr

0.0114% share

+13.85% YoY

73.03% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2024-25 Exp. Rank #187

Balance

+2,195.75

Exports

2,799.97 ₹ Cr

0.0761% share

+32.80% YoY

87.96% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

604.22 ₹ Cr

0.0099% share

−5.51% YoY

70.08% of Sub-Ch. 3802

FY 2025-26 Exp. Rank #122

Balance

+4,037.49

Exports

4,688.89 ₹ Cr

0.1202% share

+67.46% YoY

91.55% of Sub-Ch. 3802

Imports

651.40 ₹ Cr

0.0095% share

+7.81% YoY

71.06% of Sub-Ch. 3802

CAGR · 8-Year

Exports

19.54% /yr

Imports

8.02% /yr

Consistently Surplus
Sub-Chapter 3802 total

reference, FY 2025-26

Export

₹5,121.85 Cr

Import

₹916.72 Cr

Trade Balance

+4,205.13

Peak export growth year Latest available data Not available YoY = change vs previous FY

Key Trade Insights: HSN Code 38021000 Export-Import Analysis

Consistent Export Growth: 19.54% CAGR Over 8 Years

India's exports under HSN Code 38021000 have grown at a compound annual rate of 19.54% over 8 fiscal years, rising from ₹1,344.11 Crore in FY 2018-19 to ₹4,688.89 Crore in FY 2025-26.

HSN Code 38021000 Ranked #122 Among All 12872 HSN codes by Export Value

In FY 2025-26, HSN Code 38021000 ranks #122 out of 12872 HSN codes by total export value. Within Sub-Chapter 3802, it ranks #1 of 5. By trade surplus, it ranks #96 of 12872.

FY 2025-26 Was the Strongest Growth Year for HSN Code 38021000 Exports

The strongest single-year export movement for HSN Code 38021000 was recorded in FY 2025-26, when exports surged by 67.46% over the prior year.

India Maintains a Trade Surplus of ₹4,037.49 Crore in HSN Code 38021000 Goods

In FY 2025-26, India's exports of ₹4,688.89 Cr exceeded imports of ₹651.40 Cr, resulting in a trade surplus of ₹4,037.49 Crore — ranking #96 of 12872 by surplus magnitude.

Import Growth of 8.02% CAGR Signals Stable Import Dependency for Activated Carbon

India's imports under HSN Code 38021000 have grown at 8.02% CAGR, reaching ₹651.40 Crore in FY 2025-26.

HSN Code 38021000 Contributes 91.55% of Sub-Chapter 3802 Exports — Ranked #1

Among the 5 HSN codes under Sub-Chapter 3802, HSN Code 38021000 ranks #1 by export value — accounting for 91.55% of the sub-chapter's total exports in FY 2025-26. On the import side, it holds 71.06% share (rank #1).

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common queries about HSN Code 38021000 and GST compliance.

What products are classified under HSN 38021000 ?

It includes Activated Carbon

Can we claim ITC on inputs used to trade Activated Carbon?

If your outward supply is taxable, eligible ITC is available subject to general restrictions. For exempt/Nil supplies, reverse credit per Rule 42.

Do e‑way bill and e‑invoice apply for Activated Carbon?

e‑Way bill is needed above ₹50,000 consignment value (subject to exemptions). e‑Invoicing is turnover‑based (presently AATO > ₹5 crore) for B2B supplies.

How much GST applies to Activated Carbon?

Under HSN 38021000, Activated Carbon attracts Varies when sold in taxable form. Describe the exact form on the invoice.

How should mixed supplies be billed when Activated Carbon is sold with other items?

Use separate invoice lines per HSN and apply the correct rate per line (e.g., Varies for Activated Carbon; Nil for exempt items if applicable).

Does packaging or labelling change the GST for Activated Carbon?

For food/agri items, GST can be 5% when not fresh/chilled and sold as pre‑packaged & labelled; otherwise often Nil. For non‑food items, rates depend on the specific sub‑heading.

Any common misclassification issue with Activated Carbon?

Use the exact HSN and describe the form/grade. For multi‑line invoices, apply the rate per line to avoid wrong tax collection.

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Important Disclaimer

The above does not constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation. We recommend consulting a professional tax consultant before acting on the information contained in this piece of content.