---
title: "4901 HSN Code | HSN Code for Printed books, brochures, leaflets in India"
description: "Know more about 4901 HSN Code with BUSY Accounting - HSN Tariff, GST Rates and case laws related to chapter 4901 covering Printed books, brochures, leaflets."
canonical: "https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4901/"
---

# HSN Sub-chapter 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets

Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets

Part of [Chapter 49: Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans](https://busy.in/hsn/chapter-49/).

- Current GST rate: 18%
- Earlier GST rate: 18%

## HSN codes

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 49011010 | [Printed Books In Single Sheets](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49011010/) |
| 49011020 | [Handprinted or Blockprinted Textiles on Paper](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49011020/) |
| 49019100 | [Dictionaries, Encyclopaedias & Serial Installments](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49019100/) |
| 49019900 | [Printed Books, Brochures & Printed Matter](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49019900/) |

## Frequently asked questions

### What products are classified under HSN 4901

It includes Printed books, brochures, leaflets

### What should my invoice and records include for Printed books, brochures, leaflets?

Include HSN, exact description, pack size/grade, quantity, and if pre‑packaged & labelled. Maintain purchase specs, test reports (where relevant), and job‑work challans for audit trail.

### Does MRP, weight or pack size change GST treatment for Printed books, brochures, leaflets?

Some entries use MRP/weight‑based conditions for classification. Keep pack size, retail marking and brand status on records and invoice to support the chosen HSN.

### Can I claim ITC on inputs and services used for Printed books, brochures, leaflets?

If your outward supply of Printed books, brochures, leaflets is taxable, ITC is generally available (Sections 16–17) except blocked credits (e.g., personal use, motor vehicles in most cases). For exempt supplies, proportionate reversal is required under Rule 42/43.

### Can reverse charge ever apply to transactions involving Printed books, brochures, leaflets?

Reverse charge in goods is notified only for specific categories. Most regular B2B sales of Printed books, brochures, leaflets are forward charge. Check the current notifications for any special cases before deciding.

### What are the e‑way bill and e‑invoice points while moving Printed books, brochures, leaflets?

Generate an e‑way bill when the consignment value exceeds ₹50,000, unless exempted for the transaction. E‑invoicing depends on turnover (AATO threshold as notified) for B2B supplies, not on the item itself.

## India's trade performance: HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 (FY 2024-25)

Source: TradeStat EIDB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Values in ₹ Crore (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25).

- Exports: ₹2,869 Cr (+4.81% YoY) — 0.0775% of India's total exports
- Imports: ₹886 Cr (+0.10% YoY) — 0.0145% of India's total imports
- Trade balance: ₹1,983 Cr (Surplus); surplus rank #132 of 1233 sub-chapters
- Share of Chapter 49: 78.04% of its exports; import side 45.55%
- Rank within Chapter 49: #1 of 11 by export value; import-side #1

### Key metrics

- Export CAGR: 6.86% (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, 7 fiscal years)
- National export rank: #207 of 1233 sub-chapters by export value (FY 2024-25)
- Peak growth year: +53.01% in FY 2021-22
- Contribution to Ch. 49: 78.04% of its exports (FY 2024-25)

## India export-import trade statistics: HSN Sub-Chapter 4901

7-year export and import data, FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, in ₹ Crore. Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, TradeStat EIDB.

| FY | Exports (₹ Cr) | Exp share | Exp YoY | Exp % of Ch. 49 | Imports (₹ Cr) | Imp share | Imp YoY | Imp % of Ch. 49 | Trade balance | Exp rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| FY 2018-19 | 1,926.74 | 0.0839% | — | 68.77% | 1,081.30 | 0.0301% | — | 44.50% | +845.44 | #191 |
| FY 2019-20 | 1,639.46 | 0.0742% | −14.91% | 67.99% | 956.76 | 0.0285% | −11.52% | 39.82% | +682.70 | #212 |
| FY 2020-21 | 1,316.23 | 0.0612% | −19.72% | 71.36% | 544.45 | 0.0187% | −43.09% | 30.38% | +771.78 | #254 |
| FY 2021-22 | 2,014.00 | 0.0642% | +53.01% | 74.36% | 689.87 | 0.0151% | +26.71% | 31.87% | +1,324.13 | #224 |
| FY 2022-23 | 2,359.51 | 0.0652% | +17.16% | 76.74% | 1,021.37 | 0.0178% | +48.05% | 35.10% | +1,338.14 | #219 |
| FY 2023-24 | 2,737.43 | 0.0757% | +16.02% | 76.88% | 885.48 | 0.0158% | −13.30% | 35.47% | +1,851.95 | #200 |
| FY 2024-25 | 2,869.01 | 0.0775% | +4.81% | 78.04% | 886.33 | 0.0145% | +0.10% | 45.55% | +1,982.68 | #207 |

- CAGR (7-year): exports 6.86%/yr, imports -3.26%/yr (consistently Surplus)

## Key trade insights: HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 export-import analysis

### Consistent export growth: 6.86% CAGR over 7 years

India's exports under HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 have grown at a compound annual rate of 6.86% over 7 fiscal years, rising from ₹1,926.74 Crore in FY 2018-19 to ₹2,869.01 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 ranked #207 among all 1233 sub-chapters by export value

In FY 2024-25, HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 ranks #207 out of 1233 sub-chapters by total export value. Within Chapter 49, it ranks #1 of 11. By trade surplus, it ranks #132 of 1233.

### FY 2021-22 was the strongest growth year for HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 exports

The strongest single-year export movement for HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 was recorded in FY 2021-22, when exports surged by 53.01% over the prior year.

### India maintains a trade surplus of ₹1,982.68 Crore in HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 goods

In FY 2024-25, India's exports of ₹2,869.01 Cr exceeded imports of ₹886.33 Cr, resulting in a trade surplus of ₹1,982.68 Crore — ranking #132 of 1233 by surplus magnitude.

### Import growth of -3.26% CAGR signals stable import dependency for Printed books, brochures, leaflets

India's imports under HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 have grown at -3.26% CAGR, reaching ₹886.33 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 contributes 78.04% of Chapter 49 exports — ranked #1

Among the 11 sub-chapters under Chapter 49, HSN Sub-Chapter 4901 ranks #1 by export value — accounting for 78.04% of the chapter's total exports in FY 2024-25. On the import side, it holds 45.55% share (rank #1).

## Related Sub-Chapters in Chapter 49

Ranked by export value (FY 2024-25).

| Rank | HSN Sub-Chapter | Exports (FY 2024-25) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| #1 | HSN Sub-Chapter 4901: Printed books, brochures, leaflets (this hsn sub-chapter) | ₹2,869 Cr |
| #2 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4911: Printed matter](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4911/) | ₹337 Cr |
| #3 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4903: Children’s picture and coloring books](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4903/) | ₹226 Cr |
| #4 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4907: Unused stamps, bank notes, cheques](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4907/) | ₹68 Cr |
| #5 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4910: Printed calendars](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4910/) | ₹59 Cr |
| #6 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4905: Maps and hydrographic charts](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4905/) | ₹54 Cr |
| #7 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4909: Printed postcards and cards](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4909/) | ₹44 Cr |
| #8 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4908: Transfers](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4908/) | ₹13 Cr |
| #9 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4902: Newspapers, journals, periodicals](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4902/) | ₹7 Cr |
| #10 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4906: Architectural plans](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4906/) | < ₹1 Crore |

## Other sub-chapters

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 4902 | [Newspapers, journals, periodicals](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4902/) |
| 4903 | [Children’s picture and coloring books](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4903/) |
| 4904 | [Printed music](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4904/) |
| 4905 | [Maps and hydrographic charts](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4905/) |
| 4906 | [Architectural plans](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4906/) |
| 4907 | [Unused stamps, bank notes, cheques](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4907/) |
| 4908 | [Transfers](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4908/) |
| 4909 | [Printed postcards and cards](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4909/) |
| 4910 | [Printed calendars](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4910/) |
| 4911 | [Printed matter](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4911/) |