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.
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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.
Fan HSN Code Classification and GST Rates
Here are some commonly used HSN codes and GST rates for this category
Section Classification
| Section No | Section Title | Section Description |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Guide to HSN Section 04 | Prepared Food Stuffs, Beverages, Spirits And Vinegar, Tobacco And Manufactured Tobacco Substitutes |
Section No
Section Title
Section Description
Chapter Classification
| Chapter No | Chapter Title | Chapter Description |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Preparations of Cereals, Flour, Starch or Milk; Pastry | Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; pastrycooks’ products |
Chapter No
Chapter Title
Chapter Description
4 Digit HSN Code Classification
8 Digit HSN Code Classification
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 19051000 | Crispbread | 18% |
| 19052000 | Gingerbread | 18% |
| 19053100 | Sweet biscuits | 18% |
| 19053211 | Chocolate Coated Communion Wafers | 18% |
| 19053219 | Other Communion Wafers | 18% |
| 19053290 | Waffles and wafers: Other | 18% |
| 19054000 | Rusks/Toasted Bread/Khakhra/Chapati | 5% |
| 19059010 | Other | Pastries And Cakes | 18% |
| 19059020 | Biscuits (Other) | 18% |
| 19059030 | Savoury/salted extruded products | 18% |
| 19059040 | Papad | 0% |
| 19059090 | Bread, Pastry, Biscuits & Bakers' Wares | 18% |
| 21061000 | Protein Concentrates & Textured Proteins | 18% |
| 21069011 | Other | Soft Drink Concentrates | Sharbat | 18% |
| 21069019 | Other | Soft Drink Concentrates | Other | 18% |
| 21069020 | Pan Masala | 28% |
| 21069030 | Betel Nut Products (Supari) | 18% |
| 21069040 | Flavored/Colored Sugar Syrups | 18% |
| 21069050 | Compounds for non-alcoholic beverages | 18% |
| 21069060 | Other | Food Flavouring Material | 18% |
| 21069070 | Other | Churna For Pan | 18% |
| 21069080 | Custard Powder | 18% |
| 21069091 | Other | Other | Diabetic Foods | 12% |
| 21069092 | Pasteurized millstone | 18% |
| 21069099 | Textured Vegetable Proteins (Soya Bari) | 12% |
* GST rates may vary based on the latest GST notifications.
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.
