HSN, the more popular name for Harmonised System of Nomenclature, was developed by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to ensure a simplified and streamlined process to classify goods from across the world. The sole aim of this exercise was for the purpose of taxation in identifying each product.
Using HSN, each product is given a code called the HSN Code. There are HSN Codes for over 5,000 products, and these codes have been employed by over 200 countries to ensure uniform classification, collecting domestic and international trade statistics, and for customs tariffs.
HSN Codes are also aimed at streamlining the Goods and Service Tax (GST) filing process. The HSN Code comprises six digits arranged in a logical structure. However, since the HSN classification was already there before the arrival of GST, it had two more digits added to it once the GST was introduced to have an even more streamlined structure to classify goods. As a result, HSN Codes in India constitute eight digits.
Printing and Advertising Industry in India
The Print and Advertising industry has over the past two decades evolved from a small-scale business to a multi-crore industry. The advertising industry in India is projected to be the second-largest in Asia after China, with India’s advertising industry contributing 0.45% to the country’s GDP in 2018.
Furthermore, print contributes a substantial amount to the advertising industry, with a near 40% share. Television contributes 38.2%, while digital contributes to 11%. Other platforms such as billboards, radio, and cinema balance the rest.
These are the HSN Codes for the print and advertising industry in India
|
HSN Code |
Description |
Rate (%) |
Effective From |
CESS (%) |
Related Export / Import HSN Code |
|
4901 |
Printed books, including Braille books |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49011010, 49011020, 49019100, 49019900 |
|
|
4901 |
Brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets |
5 |
28/06/2017 |
49011010, 49011020, 49019100, 49019900 |
|
|
4902 |
Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49021010, 49021020, 49029010, 49029020 |
|
|
4903 |
Children's picture, drawing or colouring books |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49030010, 49030020 |
|
|
4905 |
Maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds, including atlases, wall maps, topographical plans and globes, printed |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49051000, 49059100, 49059910, 49059990 |
|
|
4907 |
Judicial, Non-judicial stamp papers, Court fee stamps when sold by the Government Treasuries or Vendors authorized by the Government |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49070010, 49070020, 49070030, 49070090 |
|
|
4907 |
Postal items, like an envelope, Post card etc., sold by Government |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49070010, 49070020, 49070030, 49070090 |
|
|
4907 |
Rupee notes when sold to the Reserve Bank of India (or Government of India inserted on 27/07/2018 ) |
NIL |
28/06/2017 Modified on 27/07/2018 |
49070010, 49070020, 49070030, 49070090 |
|
|
4907 |
Cheques, lose or in book form |
NIL |
28/06/2017 |
49070010, 49070020, 49070030, 49070090 |
|
|
4907 |
Duty Credit Scrips |
Nil (Exempt) |
13/10/2017 |
49070010, 49070020, 49070030, 49070090 |
|
|
4907 |
Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of a current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; banknotes; cheque forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title[other than duty credit scrips] |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
49070010, 49070020, 49070030, 49070090 |
|
|
4908 |
Transfers (decalcomanias) |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
49081000, 49089000 |
|
|
4909 |
Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
49090010, 49090090 |
|
|
4910 |
Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
49100010, 49100090 |
|
|
4911 |
Other printed matter, including printed pictures and photographs; such as Trade advertising material, Commercial catalogues and the like, printed Posters, Commercial catalogues, Printed inlay cards, Pictures, designs and photographs, Plan and drawings for architectural engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar purposes reproduced with the aid of a computer or any other devices |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
49111010, 49111020, 49111030, 49111090, 49119100, 49119910, 49119920, 49119990 |
|
|
49060000 |
Plans and drawings for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar purposes, being originals drawn by hand; hand-written texts; photographic reproductions on sensitized paper and carbon copies of the foregoing |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
||
|
49040000 |
Music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated |
12 |
28/06/2017 |
In case you have started a business in the advertising industry and want to file your GST, register with us on our GST Page, fill out your details, and start e-filing your GST in a secure and stress-free way.
You can also explore more about gst and hsn : GST RATE FINDER , HSN FINDER
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