---
title: "4902 HSN Code | HSN Code for Newspapers, journals, periodicals in India"
description: "Know more about 4902 HSN Code with BUSY Accounting - HSN Tariff, GST Rates and case laws related to chapter 4902 covering Newspapers, journals, periodicals."
canonical: "https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4902/"
---

# HSN Sub-chapter 4902: Newspapers, journals, periodicals

Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not i llustrated or containing advertising material

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: 5%
- Earlier GST rate: 5%

## HSN codes

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 49021010 | [Newspapers (At Least 4x/Week)](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49021010/) |
| 49021020 | [Journals/periodicals: frequent issues](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49021020/) |
| 49029010 | [Other \| Newspapers](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49029010/) |
| 49029020 | [Other \| Journals And Periodicals](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49029020/) |

## Frequently asked questions

### What products are classified under HSN 4902

It includes Newspapers, journals, periodicals

### Can reverse charge ever apply to transactions involving Newspapers, journals, periodicals?

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

### If I repair and return Newspapers, journals, periodicals, how should I charge GST?

Repair/service is a service supply (SAC). Parts and materials used are goods and may be billed separately with HSN. Mention both lines clearly to avoid mixing service and goods values.

### What should my invoice and records include for Newspapers, journals, periodicals?

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.

### Do spares or accessories of Newspapers, journals, periodicals follow the same HSN?

Not always. Spares are often classified by their own description or by the function/part rule. Check if a specific sub‑heading exists for parts of the main item and describe the part on the invoice.

### Any import/export nuance for Newspapers, journals, periodicals?

Exports are zero‑rated (with or without payment of IGST) subject to LUT/refund conditions. Imports may attract customs duties in addition to GST. Keep HSN‑wise description consistent across invoice, shipping bill and BOE.

## India's trade performance: HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 (FY 2024-25)

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

- Exports: ₹7 Cr (−33.69% YoY) — 0.0002% of India's total exports
- Imports: ₹29 Cr (−1.34% YoY) — 0.0005% of India's total imports
- Trade balance: −₹23 Cr (Deficit); surplus rank #628 of 1233 sub-chapters
- Share of Chapter 49: 0.19% of its exports; import side 1.51%
- Rank within Chapter 49: #9 of 11 by export value; import-side #6

### Key metrics

- Export CAGR: -14.09% (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, 7 fiscal years)
- National export rank: #1069 of 1233 sub-chapters by export value (FY 2024-25)
- Peak growth year: +59.64% in FY 2022-23
- Contribution to Ch. 49: 0.19% of its exports (FY 2024-25)

## India export-import trade statistics: HSN Sub-Chapter 4902

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 | 17.19 | 0.0007% | — | 0.61% | 28.32 | 0.0008% | — | 1.17% | −11.13 | #964 |
| FY 2019-20 | 16.34 | 0.0007% | −4.94% | 0.68% | 39.82 | 0.0012% | +40.61% | 1.66% | −23.48 | #965 |
| FY 2020-21 | 7.04 | 0.0003% | −56.92% | 0.38% | 18.94 | 0.0006% | −52.44% | 1.06% | −11.90 | #1020 |
| FY 2021-22 | 6.64 | 0.0002% | −5.68% | 0.25% | 23.99 | 0.0005% | +26.66% | 1.11% | −17.35 | #1047 |
| FY 2022-23 | 10.60 | 0.0003% | +59.64% | 0.34% | 29.44 | 0.0005% | +22.72% | 1.01% | −18.84 | #1032 |
| FY 2023-24 | 10.42 | 0.0003% | −1.70% | 0.29% | 29.84 | 0.0005% | +1.36% | 1.20% | −19.42 | #1039 |
| FY 2024-25 | 6.91 | 0.0002% | −33.69% | 0.19% | 29.44 | 0.0005% | −1.34% | 1.51% | −22.53 | #1069 |

- CAGR (7-year): exports -14.09%/yr, imports 0.65%/yr (consistently Deficit)

## Key trade insights: HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 export-import analysis

### Export decline: -14.09% CAGR over 7 years

India's exports under HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 have declined at a compound annual rate of -14.09% over 7 fiscal years, falling from ₹17.19 Crore in FY 2018-19 to ₹6.91 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 ranked #1069 among all 1233 sub-chapters by export value

In FY 2024-25, HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 ranks #1069 out of 1233 sub-chapters by total export value. Within Chapter 49, it ranks #9 of 11. By trade surplus, it ranks #628 of 1233.

### FY 2022-23 was the strongest growth year for HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 exports

The strongest single-year export movement for HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 was recorded in FY 2022-23, when exports surged by 59.64% over the prior year.

### India records a trade deficit of ₹22.53 Crore in HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 goods

In FY 2024-25, India's imports of ₹29.44 Cr exceeded exports of ₹6.91 Cr, resulting in a trade deficit of ₹22.53 Crore — ranking #628 of 1233 by surplus magnitude.

### Import growth of 0.65% CAGR signals stable import dependency for Newspapers, journals, periodicals

India's imports under HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 have grown at 0.65% CAGR, reaching ₹29.44 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 contributes 0.19% of Chapter 49 exports — ranked #9

Among the 11 sub-chapters under Chapter 49, HSN Sub-Chapter 4902 ranks #9 by export value — accounting for 0.19% of the chapter's total exports in FY 2024-25. On the import side, it holds 1.51% share (rank #6).

## 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](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4901/) | ₹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 (this hsn sub-chapter) | ₹7 Cr |
| #10 | [HSN Sub-Chapter 4906: Architectural plans](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4906/) | < ₹1 Crore |

## Other sub-chapters

| Code | Title |
| --- | --- |
| 4901 | [Printed books, brochures, leaflets](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4901/) |
| 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/) |