Soap HSN Code for GST Filing
Soap is a key personal care and household cleaning product. Knowing the correct soap HSN code and GST rate helps manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers raise accurate GST invoices.
This guide explains how toilet soap, bathing bars and laundry soaps are classified and how GST applies to these products under the HSN structure.
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What is the HSN code for toilet soap and laundry soap?
Soaps and similar products fall under Chapter 34 of the HSN structure. The main heading 3401 covers soap in bars, cakes, moulded shapes or liquid form and also certain organic surface active preparations used for washing.
Toilet soap, beauty bars, medicated soaps and laundry soaps generally fall under this heading with further digits giving more detail about use and composition.
Soap HSN Code Classification and GST Rates
Here are some commonly used HSN codes and GST rates for this category
| Section | |
|---|---|
| Section No | 06 |
| 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
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 3401 | Soap; organic surface-active products | 5% |
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% |
* GST rates may vary based on the latest GST notifications
How does GST apply to different types of soap?
Most toilet soaps, laundry soaps and similar washing preparations attract the standard GST slab because they are treated as personal care or cleaning products. The GST rate is usually the same for beauty bars and ordinary bathing soap as long as they fall under the same HSN heading.
Some medicated soaps can be classified as medicaments under the chapter for pharmaceutical products if their main function is treatment rather than cleaning. In such cases the HSN and GST rate can change so you should review the product label and composition carefully.
Why do toilet soaps and laundry soaps have different HSN codes?
Within Chapter 34, further digits after 3401 can distinguish between toilet soap and laundry soap based on use. This distinction is important because toilet soaps are retailed as personal grooming products while laundry soaps are meant for clothes and household washing.
Even when GST rate is the same, proper classification helps tax officers understand the nature of supply and also helps companies analyse sales by product category.
How to classify soap products correctly for GST filing?
To classify soap, first identify whether the product is mainly used for personal cleaning, laundry or general household cleaning. Next note whether it is in solid bar form, liquid form or a paste and check the ingredients to see whether it is medicated.
Based on these details you can choose the correct sub heading under 3401 or 3402. Use that soap HSN code consistently in your purchase and sales invoices so that GST returns pick up correct data.
Conclusion
The soap HSN code is central to GST billing for personal care and cleaning products. Correctly classifying toilet soaps, laundry soaps and liquid washes under the right HSN heading ensures that GST is charged at the correct rate on every invoice.
Keeping your product master updated with the correct HSN code and GST rate also makes input tax credit smoother and keeps your business compliant during GST audits.
