---
title: "4909 HSN Code | HSN Code for Printed postcards and cards in India"
description: "Know more about 4909 HSN Code with BUSY Accounting - HSN Tariff, GST Rates and case laws related to chapter 4909 covering Printed postcards and cards."
canonical: "https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4909/"
---

# HSN Sub-chapter 4909: Printed postcards and cards

Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings

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 |
| --- | --- |
| 49090010 | [Soap-Based Wetting Agents (Retail)](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49090010/) |
| 49090090 | [Greeting/Wedding Cards](https://busy.in/hsn/hsn-49090090/) |

## Frequently asked questions

### What products are classified under HSN 4909

It includes Printed postcards and cards

### If I repair and return Printed postcards and cards, 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 Printed postcards and cards?

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.

### Any special steps when selling Printed postcards and cards through an e‑commerce platform?

Ensure registration requirements are met and reconcile the operator’s TCS statements with your GSTR‑2B/3B. Map SKU descriptions to HSN to reduce mismatches and returns.

### Does packaging or branding change how GST applies to Printed postcards and cards?

Yes. Many food/agri goods are treated differently when sold as pre‑packaged & labelled retail packs versus loose/open packs. If Printed postcards and cards is sold in small pouches (e.g., 500 g) with an MRP and label, record that on the invoice. Loose bulk bags often follow a different treatment.

### Do spares or accessories of Printed postcards and cards 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.

## India's trade performance: HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 (FY 2024-25)

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

- Exports: ₹44 Cr (−0.32% YoY) — 0.0012% of India's total exports
- Imports: ₹5 Cr (−56.65% YoY) — 0.0001% of India's total imports
- Trade balance: ₹39 Cr (Surplus); surplus rank #442 of 1233 sub-chapters
- Share of Chapter 49: 1.20% of its exports; import side 0.24%
- Rank within Chapter 49: #7 of 11 by export value; import-side #8

### Key metrics

- Export CAGR: -3.27% (FY 2018-19 to FY 2024-25, 7 fiscal years)
- National export rank: #926 of 1233 sub-chapters by export value (FY 2024-25)
- Peak growth year: +101.34% in FY 2021-22
- Contribution to Ch. 49: 1.20% of its exports (FY 2024-25)

## India export-import trade statistics: HSN Sub-Chapter 4909

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 | 53.76 | 0.0023% | — | 1.92% | 2.25 | 0.0001% | — | 0.09% | +51.51 | #825 |
| FY 2019-20 | 56.03 | 0.0025% | +4.22% | 2.32% | 3.89 | 0.0001% | +72.89% | 0.16% | +52.14 | #823 |
| FY 2020-21 | 23.22 | 0.0011% | −58.56% | 1.26% | 7.11 | 0.0002% | +82.78% | 0.40% | +16.11 | #930 |
| FY 2021-22 | 46.75 | 0.0015% | +101.34% | 1.73% | 14.02 | 0.0003% | +97.19% | 0.65% | +32.73 | #883 |
| FY 2022-23 | 44.38 | 0.0012% | −5.07% | 1.44% | 17.28 | 0.0003% | +23.25% | 0.59% | +27.10 | #909 |
| FY 2023-24 | 44.17 | 0.0012% | −0.47% | 1.24% | 10.68 | 0.0002% | −38.19% | 0.43% | +33.49 | #916 |
| FY 2024-25 | 44.03 | 0.0012% | −0.32% | 1.20% | 4.63 | 0.0001% | −56.65% | 0.24% | +39.40 | #926 |

- CAGR (7-year): exports -3.27%/yr, imports 12.78%/yr (consistently Surplus)

## Key trade insights: HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 export-import analysis

### Export decline: -3.27% CAGR over 7 years

India's exports under HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 have declined at a compound annual rate of -3.27% over 7 fiscal years, falling from ₹53.76 Crore in FY 2018-19 to ₹44.03 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 ranked #926 among all 1233 sub-chapters by export value

In FY 2024-25, HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 ranks #926 out of 1233 sub-chapters by total export value. Within Chapter 49, it ranks #7 of 11. By trade surplus, it ranks #442 of 1233.

### FY 2021-22 was the strongest growth year for HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 exports

The strongest single-year export movement for HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 was recorded in FY 2021-22, when exports surged by 101.34% over the prior year.

### India maintains a trade surplus of ₹39.40 Crore in HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 goods

In FY 2024-25, India's exports of ₹44.03 Cr exceeded imports of ₹4.63 Cr, resulting in a trade surplus of ₹39.40 Crore — ranking #442 of 1233 by surplus magnitude.

### Import growth of 12.78% CAGR signals rising demand for Printed postcards and cards

India's imports under HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 have grown at 12.78% CAGR, reaching ₹4.63 Crore in FY 2024-25.

### HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 contributes 1.20% of Chapter 49 exports — ranked #7

Among the 11 sub-chapters under Chapter 49, HSN Sub-Chapter 4909 ranks #7 by export value — accounting for 1.20% of the chapter's total exports in FY 2024-25. On the import side, it holds 0.24% share (rank #8).

## 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 (this hsn sub-chapter) | ₹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 |
| --- | --- |
| 4901 | [Printed books, brochures, leaflets](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4901/) |
| 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/) |
| 4910 | [Printed calendars](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4910/) |
| 4911 | [Printed matter](https://busy.in/hsn/sub-chapter-4911/) |