Steel HSN Code: Understanding HSN Classifications for Steel Products
Steel is used in construction, machinery, transport, furniture and many other industries. It is supplied in many forms such as plates, coils, pipes, sections and scrap. To charge GST correctly and claim input tax credit smoothly, businesses must use the correct steel HSN code on every invoice.
In this guide you will learn how steel is classified under HSN, how stainless steel, steel scrap, steel plates and steel pipes are grouped, what GST rates usually apply and how manufacturers and traders use these codes while filing GST returns.
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What Is the Steel HSN Code?
Under GST, steel is mainly classified in chapter seventy two which covers iron and steel, and in chapter seventy three which covers articles of iron and steel. There is no single steel HSN code for every product. The correct code depends on whether the item is a raw material, a semi finished product or a finished article.
Base steel products such as ingots, billets, blooms and slabs are placed under early headings in chapter seventy two. Flat rolled products in coils and plates use headings such as 7208, 7209, 7210 and 7211. Long products such as bars, rods and sections are covered under other headings in the same chapter.
Once steel has been made into finished articles like pipes, tubes, structures, tanks, screws or household articles, it often moves to chapter seventy three. This chapter contains headings for tubes and pipes, tube fittings, structures and parts of structures, storage tanks, wire products and many other fabricated steel items.
For day to day work many traders keep a few main steel HSN codes in their item master for plates, coils, scrap and pipes. Large manufacturers use the full six digit or eight digit classification to match each type of steel product exactly with the tariff.
Steel HSN Code Classification and GST Rates
Here are some commonly used HSN codes and GST rates for this category
Section Classification
Chapter Classification
4 Digit HSN Code Classification
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 7208 | Hot-rolled iron & steel products | 18% |
| 7209 | Flat-Rolled Iron Products | 18% |
| 7210 | Flat Steel (>600 mm) | 18% |
| 7211 | Flat-rolled iron & steel products | 18% |
| 7213 | Wood pulp products | 18% |
| 7214 | Iron or steel rods and bars | 18% |
| 7215 | Steel Bars & Rods | 18% |
| 7228 | Alloy Steel Bars & Rods | 18% |
| 7229 | Alloy Steel Wire | 18% |
8 Digit HSN Code Classification
| HSN Code | HSN Code Title | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 72081000 | Flat-Rolled Products of Stainless Steel | 18% |
| 72082510 | Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel Coils | 18% |
| 72082520 | Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel Sheets | 18% |
| 72082530 | Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel Plates | 18% |
| 72082540 | Stainless Steel Hot-Rolled Strip | 18% |
| 72082590 | Other Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel Products | 18% |
| 72082610 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Plates (3-4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72082620 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Universal Plates (3-4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72082630 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Sheets (3-4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72082640 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Strips (3-4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72082690 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Other Products (3-4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72082710 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Plates (Below 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72082720 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Universal Plates (Below 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72082730 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Sheets (Below 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72082740 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Strips (Below 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72082790 | Hot-Rolled Pickled Steel Other Products (Below 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72083610 | Hot-Rolled Plates (>10mm, Coils) | 18% |
| 72083620 | Flat-Rolled Steel Coils Over 600 mm Wide | 18% |
| 72083630 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (>10mm, Coils) | 18% |
| 72083640 | Hot-Rolled Strip (>10mm, Coils) | 18% |
| 72083690 | Other Hot-Rolled Coils (>10mm) | 18% |
| 72083710 | Hot-Rolled Plates (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72083720 | Hot-Rolled Universal Plates (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72083730 | Hot-Rolled Steel Sheets (4.75 mm – 10 mm) | 18% |
| 72083740 | Hot-Rolled Steel Strips (4.75 mm – 10 mm) | 18% |
| 72083790 | Hot-Rolled Steel (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72083810 | Hot-Rolled Steel Plates (3 mm – 4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72083820 | Hot-Rolled Universal Plates (>3mm, <4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72083830 | Hot-Rolled Steel Sheets (3 mm – 4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72083840 | Hot-Rolled Steel Strips (3 mm – 4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72083890 | Hot-Rolled Steel (>3mm, <4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72083910 | Hot-Rolled Plates (<3mm, Coils) | 18% |
| 72083920 | Hot-Rolled Steel Strips Over 600 mm Wide | 18% |
| 72083930 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (<3mm, Coils) | 18% |
| 72083940 | Hot-Rolled Strip (<3mm, Coils) | 18% |
| 72083990 | Other Hot-Rolled Coils (<3mm) | 18% |
| 72084010 | Hot-Rolled Plates (Relief Patterns) | 18% |
| 72084020 | Hot-Rolled Universal Plates (Relief Patterns) | 18% |
| 72084030 | Hot-Rolled Steel Sheets (Relief Patterns) | 18% |
| 72084040 | Hot-Rolled Steel Strip (Relief Patterns) | 18% |
| 72084090 | Other Hot-Rolled Steel (Relief Patterns) | 18% |
| 72085110 | Hot-Rolled Plates (>10mm) | 18% |
| 72085120 | Alloy Steel Flat-Rolled Products Over 600 mm Wide | 18% |
| 72085130 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (>10mm) | 18% |
| 72085140 | Hot-Rolled Strip (>10mm) | 18% |
| 72085190 | Other Hot-Rolled Steel (>10mm) | 18% |
| 72085210 | Hot-Rolled Steel Plates (4.75 mm – 10 mm) | 18% |
| 72085220 | Hot-Rolled Universal Plates (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72085230 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72085240 | Hot-Rolled Strips (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72085290 | Hot-Rolled Steel (>4.75mm, ≤10mm) | 18% |
| 72085310 | Hot-Rolled Steel Plates (3 mm – 4.75 mm) | 18% |
| 72085320 | Hot-Rolled Universal Plates (>3mm, <4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72085330 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (>3mm, <4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72085340 | Hot-Rolled Strips (>3mm, <4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72085390 | Hot-Rolled Steel (>3mm, <4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72085410 | Hot-Rolled Plates (<3mm) | 18% |
| 72085420 | Alloy Steel Hot-Rolled Strips Over 600 mm Wide | 18% |
| 72085430 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (<3mm) | 18% |
| 72085440 | Hot-Rolled Strip (<3mm) | 18% |
| 72085490 | Hot-Rolled Other (<3mm) | 18% |
| 72089000 | Hot-Rolled Steel Flat Products Under 600 mm Wide | 18% |
| 72091510 | Flat-Rolled Steel Coils Pickled or Oiled, Not Coated | 18% |
| 72091520 | Steel Sheets Pickled or Oiled, Not Coated | 18% |
| 72091530 | Steel Strips Pickled or Oiled, Not Coated | 18% |
| 72091590 | Other Steel Flat Products, Pickled or Oiled | 18% |
| 72091610 | Cold-Rolled Steel Plates (1 mm – 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72091620 | Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets (1 mm – 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72091630 | Cold-Rolled Steel Strip (1-3mm) | 18% |
| 72091690 | Cold-Rolled Steel (1-3mm, Other) | 18% |
| 72091710 | Cold-Rolled Steel Plate (0.5-1mm) | 18% |
| 72091720 | Cold-Rolled Steel Sheet (0.5-1mm) | 18% |
| 72091730 | Cold-Rolled Steel Strip (0.5-1mm) | 18% |
| 72091790 | Cold-Rolled Steel (0.5-1mm, Other) | 18% |
| 72091810 | Hot-Rolled Steel Coils with Coatings | 18% |
| 72091820 | Coated Hot-Rolled Steel Sheets | 18% |
| 72091830 | Coated Hot-Rolled Steel Strips | 18% |
| 72091890 | Other Coated Hot-Rolled Steel Products | 18% |
| 72092510 | Cold-Rolled Steel Coils Pickled or Oiled | 18% |
| 72092520 | Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets Pickled or Oiled | 18% |
| 72092530 | Cold-Rolled Steel Strips Pickled or Oiled | 18% |
| 72092590 | Other Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products | 18% |
| 72092610 | Cold-Rolled Steel Plates (1 mm – 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72092620 | Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets (1 mm – 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72092630 | Cold-Rolled Steel (≥0.5mm – ≤1mm, Other) | 18% |
| 72092690 | Other Cold-Rolled Steel (1 mm – 3 mm) | 18% |
| 72092710 | Cold-Rolled Steel Plates (0.5 mm – 1 mm) | 18% |
| 72092720 | Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets (0.5 mm – 1 mm) | 18% |
| 72092730 | Non-Retail Cotton Sewing Thread (≥85%, No Synthetic) | 18% |
| 72092790 | Cold-Rolled Steel Strip (≥0.5mm – ≤1mm) | 18% |
| 72092810 | Coated Cold-Rolled Steel Coils | 18% |
| 72092820 | Coated Cold-Rolled Steel Sheets | 18% |
| 72092830 | Coated Cold-Rolled Steel Strips | 18% |
| 72092890 | Other Coated Cold-Rolled Steel Products | 18% |
| 72099000 | Tin-Plated Steel Sheets ≥ 0.5 mm Thickness, OTS/MR Type | 18% |
| 72101110 | Tin-Plated Steel Sheets: Thickness ≥ 0.5 mm, OTS/MR Type | 18% |
| 72101190 | Tin-coated steel sheets | 18% |
| 72101210 | Tin-Plated Steel Sheets: Thickness < 0.5 mm – OTS/MR Type | 18% |
| 72101290 | Plated or coated with tin: Of a thickness of less than 0.5 mm: Other | 18% |
| 72102000 | Tin & Lead Plated or Coated Iron/Steel Sheets | 18% |
| 72103010 | Corrugated Tin Plated Steel | 18% |
| 72103090 | Zinc Coated Flat Steel (>=600mm) | 18% |
| 72103091 | Galvannealed Sheets | 18% |
| 72103099 | Other Zinc Electrolytically Plated/Coated Sheets | 18% |
| 72104100 | Otherwise plated or coated with zinc: Corrugated | 18% |
| 72104900 | Other Electrolytically Zinc Coated Flat Steel (<600mm) | 18% |
| 72104910 | Otherwise plated with zinc: Galvannealed | 18% |
| 72104990 | Zinc coated steel | 18% |
| 72105000 | Chromium and Chromium Oxide Plated or Coated Products | 18% |
| 72106100 | Aluminium & Aluminium-Zinc Alloy Plated or Coated Steel | 18% |
| 72106900 | Plated or coated with aluminium : Other | 18% |
| 72107000 | Painted, Varnished, Plastics Coated | 18% |
| 72109010 | Other | Lacquered | 18% |
| 72109090 | Other : Other | 18% |
| 72111300 | Hot-Rolled Steel (Width >150mm, Thickness >=4mm) | 18% |
| 72111410 | Hot-Rolled Flats (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111420 | Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel Universal Plates (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111430 | Hot-Rolled Hoops (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111440 | Hot-Rolled Sheets (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111450 | Hot-Rolled Strip (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111460 | Hot-Rolled Skelp (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111490 | Other Hot-Rolled Stainless Steel (≥4.75mm) | 18% |
| 72111910 | Flats, hot-rolled | 18% |
| 72111920 | Universal plates: Hot-rolled | 18% |
| 72111930 | Hoops | 18% |
| 72111940 | Hot-rolled sheets | 18% |
| 72111950 | Strip, hot-rolled | 18% |
| 72111960 | Skelp, hot-rolled | 18% |
| 72111990 | Hot-rolled, other | 18% |
| 72112310 | Stainless Steel Coil, Cold-Rolled | 18% |
| 72112320 | Cold-Rolled Universal Plates (< 0.20% Carbon) | 18% |
| 72112330 | Stainless Steel Sheets, Cold-Rolled | 18% |
| 72112340 | Stainless Steel Strips, Cold-Rolled | 18% |
| 72112350 | Other Cold-Rolled Stainless Steel Flat Products | 18% |
| 72112390 | Other Non-Alloy Stainless Steel Products | 18% |
| 72112910 | Cold-rolled flats | 18% |
| 72112920 | Cold-Rolled Universal Steel Plates: Not Further Worked | 18% |
| 72112930 | Cold-rolled hoops | 18% |
| 72112940 | Cold-rolled sheets | 18% |
| 72112950 | Hot rolled steel sheets, coated, painted, etc. | 18% |
| 72112960 | Cold-rolled skelp | 18% |
| 72112990 | Cold-rolled other steel | 18% |
| 72119011 | Other : Universal plates : Of boiler quality | 18% |
| 72119012 | Universal plates, high tensile | 18% |
| 72119013 | Ship building quality plates | 18% |
| 72119090 | Flat-rolled iron or non-alloy steel <600mm | Other | 18% |
| 72131010 | Free Cutting Steel with Indentations or Ribs | 18% |
| 72131090 | Other Steel with Indentations or Ribs | 18% |
| 72132010 | Other, of free-cutting steel : Electrode quality | 18% |
| 72132020 | Cold heading quality steel | 18% |
| 72132090 | Other, Of Free-Cutting Steel | Other | 18% |
| 72139110 | Electrode Quality Wire (<14mm Diameter) | 18% |
| 72139120 | Cold Heading Quality Wire (<14mm Diameter) | 18% |
| 72139190 | Steel Bars: Circular Cross-Section Under 14 mm Diameter | 18% |
| 72139910 | Other | Other | Electrode Quality | 18% |
| 72139920 | Other : Other : Cold heading quality | 18% |
| 72139990 | Other : Other : Other | 18% |
| 72141010 | Forged – Spring steel quality | 18% |
| 72141090 | Forged – Other | 18% |
| 72142010 | Spring Steel Quality with Indentations or Ribs | 18% |
| 72142090 | Twisted/Rolled Steel with Indentations or Ribs | 18% |
| 72143000 | Other, Of Free Cutting Steel | 18% |
| 72149110 | Mild Steel Bright Bar (Rectangular) | 18% |
| 72149190 | Rectangular cross-section: Other | 18% |
| 72149910 | Other | Other | Of Spring Steel Quality | 18% |
| 72149990 | Other bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel | Other | 18% |
| 72151000 | Free-Cutting Steel Bars & Rods: Cold-Formed or Cold-Finished | 18% |
| 72155010 | Mild Steel Bright Bar (Cold-Formed) | 18% |
| 72155090 | Cold-formed steel, other | 18% |
| 72159010 | Other | Plated Or Coated With Zinc | 18% |
| 72159020 | Other : Plated or coated with other base metals | 18% |
| 72159090 | Other bars and rods of non-alloy steel | Other | 18% |
| 72281010 | High-Speed Steel Bright Bars | 18% |
| 72281090 | High Speed Steel | Bars, Rods | 18% |
| 72282000 | Bars and rods, of silico-manganese steel | 18% |
| 72283011 | Alloy Tool Steel Bars | 18% |
| 72283019 | Tin Flat-Rolled Products | 18% |
| 72283021 | Wire of other alloy steel of high speed steel | 18% |
| 72283022 | Spring Steel Bars | 18% |
| 72283023 | Sulphur Bearing Steel Bars | 18% |
| 72283024 | Tool and Die Steel Bars | 18% |
| 72283029 | Other Hot-Rolled/Drawn/Extruded Bars/Rods | 18% |
| 72284000 | Forged bars and rods | 18% |
| 72285010 | Engine Valve/Cold Heading Steel | 18% |
| 72285090 | Other Cold-Formed/Finished Other Steel Bars/Rods | 18% |
| 72286011 | Alloy tool steel bright bars | 18% |
| 72286012 | Other bars and rods : Bright bars : Other | 18% |
| 72286091 | Other bars and rods : Other : Lead bearing steel | 18% |
| 72286092 | Spring Steel Bars/Rods | 18% |
| 72286093 | Sulphur bearing steel | 18% |
| 72286094 | Other bars and rods : Other : Tool and die steel | 18% |
| 72286099 | Other Bars And Rods | Other | 18% |
| 72287011 | Hot-Rolled Steel Angles (≥80mm) | 18% |
| 72287012 | Hot-Rolled Steel Angles (<80mm) | 18% |
| 72287021 | Cold-Formed Steel Angles (≥80mm) | 18% |
| 72287022 | Angles & Sections (Cold-Formed, <80mm) | 18% |
| 72288010 | Hollow drill bars and rods : Of alloy steel | 18% |
| 72288020 | Forged non-alloy steel drill bar | 18% |
| 72288090 | Hollow drill bars and rods : Other | 18% |
| 72291000 | Railway Rails | 18% |
| 72292000 | Of silico-manganese steel | 18% |
| 72299011 | Tinned Wire | 18% |
| 72299012 | Bronze Coated Wire | 18% |
| 72299013 | Trapezoidal Wire | 18% |
| 72299014 | Half Round Wire | 18% |
| 72299015 | Crimped Wire | 18% |
| 72299016 | Copper Coated Wire | 18% |
| 72299021 | Electrode Quality Wire (Non-Insulated) | 18% |
| 72299022 | Wire Rope Quality Steel Wire | 18% |
| 72299023 | ACSR Quality Wire (Non-Insulated) | 18% |
| 72299031 | Wire (Excluding Lead Wire) | 18% |
| 72299032 | Spring Wire | 18% |
| 72299033 | High Tensile Wire | 18% |
| 72299034 | Hardened and Tempered Wire | 18% |
| 72299040 | Other : Other wire | 18% |
| 72299051 | Shaped, profiled wires: Half round | 18% |
| 72299052 | Shaped and Profiled Wire: Flat and Rectangular Cross Section | 18% |
| 72299053 | L’ shape wires: Shaped/profiled | 18% |
| 72299054 | Z’ shape wires: Shaped/profiled | 18% |
| 72299059 | Shaped and profiled wires | 18% |
| 72299060 | Electric Resistance Wire, Including Heating Wire | 18% |
| 72299070 | Other : Crimped wire0 | 18% |
| 72299090 | Other : Other | 18% |
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* GST rates may vary based on the latest GST notifications.
HSN Code for Stainless Steel Scrap and Steel Plates
Stainless steel has its own group of headings inside chapter seventy two. Stainless steel in ingot or semi finished form is classified under headings such as 7218, while flat rolled stainless steel products use headings like 7219 and 7220. Stainless steel bars, rods and sections fall under headings such as 7221 and 7222.
When stainless steel is supplied as sheets or plates the product is usually placed under headings 7219 or 7220 depending on whether it is hot rolled or cold rolled and on the finishing. In simple trading practice, many suppliers use a common stainless steel sheet or plate HSN code from this family for all stainless sheets and plates of common grades.
Steel scrap is usually classified under heading 7204 which covers ferrous waste and scrap. This heading includes scrap arising from the manufacture or mechanical working of iron or steel and scrap from old steel goods that are broken up. Stainless steel scrap is also covered within this scrap heading when it meets the conditions of ferrous waste and scrap.
Steel plates that are not stainless are generally flat rolled products of non alloy steel. They are commonly classified under headings like 7208 and 7209 depending on whether they are hot rolled or cold rolled and on their thickness. Heavy plates for structural use, ship building and machinery are normally placed under these flat rolled steel headings.
Steel pipes and tubes are mostly covered in chapter seventy three under headings such as 7306 and 7307. These headings cover welded and seamless pipes as well as tube fittings like elbows and flanges. This means that steel pipes do not use the same HSN code as steel plates or scrap, even though they are made from steel.
GST on Steel Products and HSN Code Classification
Under the present GST structure, most common steel products are taxed at 18% GST . This standard slab usually applies to flat rolled steel products , bars and rods, stainless steel items, steel scrap and steel pipes that are used in construction and industry.
Earlier, some special steel products could fall in a higher slab, but after the rate rationalisation that reduced the number of slabs, most regular iron and steel items now fall in the 18% slab. Only special cases where a notification gives a concessional rate or a different treatment would move away from this standard rate.
Steel scrap under heading 7204 is also generally taxed at 18% GST. Since scrap is widely used as a raw material by foundries and rolling mills, having the same rate as many finished steel products helps keep the input tax credit chain smooth in the steel industry.
Steel pipes and tubes under headings such as 7306 and 7307 are also commonly placed in the 18% slab. These products are used in construction, water projects, oil and gas pipelines and industrial plants, so accurate classification under chapter seventy three is important for both suppliers and project owners.
During GST billing and return filing, steel manufacturers and traders assign HSN codes from chapters seventy two and seventy three to every item in their product master. Invoices clearly show whether a product is plates, coils, scrap, pipes or fabricated structures and which HSN code has been applied. In GSTR one and other returns, they then report steel turnover under these headings in HSN wise summaries so that the tax department can match the declared tax with the correct product categories.
On the buyer side, builders, fabricators and engineering companies that purchase steel can claim input tax credit on the 18% GST charged, subject to normal conditions. When the HSN code on the purchase invoice matches the nature of the steel product and the correct GST rate, it becomes easier to support the credit claim during audits and assessments.
Conclusion
The steel HSN code framework splits steel into raw materials, semi finished products and finished articles across chapters seventy two and seventy three. Stainless steel products, steel scrap, steel plates and steel pipes all have specific headings inside these chapters that must be used correctly in GST invoices .
When businesses map each steel item to the right HSN code and apply the standard GST slab of 18% for most regular steel products, their billing becomes accurate and input tax credit flows smoothly along the steel supply chain. This reduces the risk of disputes, interest and penalties that can arise from wrong classification or wrong GST rates on steel products.
