Welding Machine HSN Code for GST Returns
Welding machines are widely used in construction, fabrication, repair work and many industrial projects. Small workshops and large factories both depend on welding equipment to join metals safely and quickly.
To use the welding machine HSN code correctly and apply the right GST rate, traders, dealers and service providers need to understand how electric and gas welding machines are classified and how GST usually applies after the changes from 22 September 2025.
What Are the HSN Codes for Different Types of Welding Machines?
Under GST, welding machines are generally classified in the machinery and electrical equipment chapters. Electric welding machines are usually grouped in the family that covers electric welding apparatus, while gas welding sets can fall in a different machinery family that covers soldering and brazing equipment.
In practice, most inverter welding machines, arc welders and similar electric sets used in workshops fall in one common HSN family for electric welding equipment. Gas welding torches and outfits may use a different machinery family, and welding electrodes normally fall under yet another family that covers coated rods and electrodes.
Key Welding Machine HSN Codes and GST Rates after 22 September 2025
| HSN Code | Product Description | Product Type or Variant | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8515 | Electric welding machines | Arc, MIG, TIG and inverter welding machines | 18% |
| 8468 | Gas welding and brazing equipment | Gas welding and cutting sets and torches | 18% |
| 8311 | Welding electrodes and rods | Coated welding rods and filler wires | 18% |
How to Classify Welding Machines for Accurate GST Filing?
The first step in correct classification is to identify whether the welding machine is electric or gas based. Electric arc welders, inverter welders and resistance welding machines are normally placed in the electric welding family. Their technical features may differ but their basic function of electric welding remains the same.
Gas welding equipment uses oxygen and fuel gases to produce a flame. These sets may be classified in the machinery family that covers soldering and brazing apparatus. The classification depends on the detailed description in the tariff and the dominant function of the equipment.
Welding electrodes and rods are not machines. They are supplies used with welding machines. They are generally classified in the family that covers coated rods and electrodes of base metal. This means that welding machines and electrodes appear under different HSN families even though they are used together in the same job.
If there is any doubt about a specific welding product, such as a multi function unit that can weld, cut and gouge, it is safer to review the technical literature and compare it with the tariff notes instead of guessing the HSN code.
Why Is It Important to Use the Correct HSN Code for Welding Machines?
Using the correct HSN code for welding machines in invoices helps buyers to see how the product has been classified and which GST rate has been applied. This clear classification supports input tax credit for contractors and fabricators who use the machines for business purposes.
Correct HSN usage also matters in GST returns. Outward supplies of welding machines and electrodes reported under the right HSN families make it easier to reconcile data between suppliers and recipients. Wrong codes can lead to questions, interest demands and extra effort during audits.
Once a business fixes the correct HSN family and GST rate for its welding machines in the item master of its accounting software, the same details flow automatically into all invoices and HSN wise summaries. This reduces manual work and lowers the risk of classification errors.
What GST Rate Applies to Different Welding Equipment Under HSN Code?
After the move to the three slab GST structure with slabs of 5%, 18% and 40%, welding machines and most welding equipment normally fall in the standard 18% slab. They are industrial goods and are not treated as essential goods that qualify for the lower slab.
Electric welding machines in the electric welding family are generally taxed at 18%. Gas welding sets in the soldering and brazing machinery family are usually taxed at the same standard slab. Welding electrodes and rods in the coated rod family also commonly attract 18% GST.
The GST rate does not change only because the welding machine is of a particular brand or size. It follows the HSN family that covers that type of equipment. However, the GST rate may vary depending on specific notifications and conditions, so businesses should review any special exemptions or concessions that may apply in rare cases.
Conclusion
Welding machine HSN codes generally place electric welding sets in the electric welding family, gas welding sets in the soldering and brazing machinery family and welding electrodes in the coated rod family. These products usually attract 18% GST under the standard slab after 22 September 2025.
By mapping each welding machine and related supply to the correct HSN family, setting the correct GST rate in the billing system and using these details consistently in invoices and returns, businesses can support proper input tax credit, avoid disputes over classification and keep their GST compliance smooth.
I am a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience and a finance content writer. I focus on educating people about finance and taxation. I have written many blog posts on finance, taxation, trading, and investment on the BUSY website. My goal is to increase financial understanding by making complex concepts easier to grasp and to support educational programs in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the HSN code for welding machines?
Electric welding machines are usually classified in the electric welding apparatus family, while gas welding sets can be placed in a different machinery family that covers soldering and brazing equipment. The exact HSN code depends on the type of machine and its main function.
-
Do welding machines have a separate GST rate based on type?
Most welding machines, whether electric or gas based, are standard rated at 18% under GST. The rate usually follows the HSN family for welding equipment rather than the brand or model of the machine.
-
Are welding electrodes included in the same HSN code as welding machines?
No. Welding electrodes and rods are generally classified in a separate family that covers coated rods and electrodes of base metal. Welding machines and electrodes therefore appear under different HSN families for GST.
-
How to apply welding machine HSN code in GST returns?
First, set the correct HSN family and GST rate for each welding machine in the item master. Then use these details in all invoices so that outward supplies show the correct HSN in GSTR one and other returns. Your accounting software can usually generate HSN wise summaries automatically.
-
Does the GST rate change for different welding machine brands?
GST classification and rate depend on the nature of the product and its HSN family, not on the brand name. Different brands of the same type of welding machine generally attract the same 18% GST rate when they share the same HSN family.