Papad HSN Code: Classification for Indian Papad and Snacks
Indian papad is a very common food item in homes, restaurants, and snack businesses. It is usually made from pulses like urad, moong, chana, or rice and then dried. Under GST, papad is treated as a food product and is covered under a specific HSN code so that tax can be applied correctly.
For manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, it is important to know the correct papad HSN code and GST rate. Wrong classification can create problems during GST return filing, notices, or mismatches in GSTR 1 and GSTR 3B.
What is the HSN Code for Papad?
Papad is generally classified under the broader chapter of prepared foods. Most types of plain papad fall under the same HSN family. The exact 6 or 8 digit code may differ based on product description and packing style, but the idea is to show that it is a thin, ready to fry or ready to roast wafer.
Below is an indicative HSN table for papad products.
| Product name | HSN code | Product description | Typical GST rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain urad dal papad | 1905 | Traditional thin papad made from urad or mixed pulses | 0% or 5% |
| Branded packaged papad | 1905 | Branded papad in sealed packs, ready to fry or roast | 5% |
| Masala papad snack variant | 1905 | Value added papad based snack with masala or toppings | 5% or 12% |
*GST rates are indicative. Always check the latest GST notification and rate schedule or consult your tax advisor.
In many cases, simple papad is exempt or charged at a very low rate, but once it becomes a value added snack with extra ingredients, the GST rate can increase.
How Indian Papad and Papad Snacks are Classified under HSN?
Indian papad can be sold in many forms:
- Loose papad sold by weight in local shops
- Branded papad in small retail packs
- Big family packs for restaurants or catering units
- Papad based ready to eat snacks
For HSN classification, you must see:
- Is the item mainly a papad sheet ready for frying or roasting
- Or is it a ready to eat snack where papad is only one of the ingredients
Simple raw papad sheets will normally remain in the main papad HSN group. Papad based snacks with added masala, fillings, or coatings may move to another prepared food HSN group with a higher GST rate.
The HSN Code for Crispy Papad
Crispy papad can mean two things:
- Raw papad that becomes crispy after frying or roasting by the consumer
- Ready to eat crispy papad packed by the manufacturer after frying or roasting
If you are only supplying raw papad, you will usually continue under the base papad HSN code. If you are selling ready to eat crispy papad, you must carefully read the GST tariff description and see whether it is still treated as papad or as another snack.
Important points:
- Check the ingredients and the way the product is described on the label
- Check if oil, masala, or other toppings have changed the nature of the product
- Use the HSN that best matches the trade description and tariff wording
GST Implications on Papad Products
GST impact on papad depends on:
- Whether the papad is exempt, taxed at 0%, or 5%
- Whether you are selling a simple papad or a ready snack
- Whether branding and packaging change the tax rate
Key points for businesses:
- Use the correct HSN code in tax invoice, e invoice and e way bill
- Make sure the same HSN appears in GSTR 1 and GSTR 3B
- Keep product wise mapping of HSN codes in your accounting or billing software
If your product line includes many variants like plain papad, masala papad, stuffed papad and papad snacks, prepare an internal HSN mapping sheet and get it verified by your tax consultant.
I’m CA Mohammad Abid Khan, a Chartered Accountant based in Varanasi with 10 years of experience. I specialize in GST and Income Tax, helping individuals and businesses stay compliant and optimize their taxes. I hold B.Com and M.Com degrees and enjoy simplifying finance through practical, easy-to-understand content.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the HSN code for Indian papad?
Generally, papad falls under the prepared food chapter, commonly mapped to the HSN family 1905. The exact code depends on detailed tariff description and product type.
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How are papad snacks classified under HSN?
Papad snacks that include extra masala, fillings or coatings may still remain under the papad HSN in some cases, but often move to another prepared snack HSN if their character changes from simple papad.
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Does the type of papad affect the HSN code?
Yes, very special or heavily processed papad products may need a different HSN classification compared to simple raw papad sheets.
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How does GST apply to papad products?
Simple papad may be exempt or taxed at a low rate like 0% or 5%. Value added papad based snacks can attract a higher GST rate, so always check the current GST schedule.
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Are papad and other snacks taxed under the same HSN code?
Not always. Papad is a specific item whereas namkeen, chips, and other snacks are usually classified under different HSN codes with different GST rates.