How to Find the HS Code of Any Goods in India

How to Find the Correct HS Code for Indian Exports (The Easy Way) 

You are ready to export "Mangoes" or "Leather Shoes" from India. You have the buyer, you have the container, and you are ready to ship.

But then your Customs House Agent (CHA) asks: "What is the HS Code?"

If you get this wrong, your shipment isn't going anywhere. The HS Code (Harmonized System) is the universal language of global trade. It tells customs officials exactly what is inside the box so they know how much tax (Duty/GST) to charge.

Finding the right code in India is tricky because we use the specific ITC-HS (Indian Trade Classification) system. While government portals exist, they can be confusing and slow.

Here is the smartest, fastest way to find the perfect HS Code.

Method 1: The Smartest Tool (HSCode.in)

Most tools force you to know the "technical category" of your product. But what if you just want to type "Cotton Shirt"?

The best tool for this is HSCode.in.

• Why it works: Unlike generic search engines, this tool is built specifically on the Indian Customs CTH (Customs Tariff Head) database. It doesn't guess; it uses the official data.

• How to use it:

  1. Go to HSCode.in.

  2. Simply paste the description of your product (e.g., "Men's leather wallet with zipper").

  3. The tool analyzes the description against the official Indian database and gives you the perfect 8-digit HS Code.

• The Benefit: It saves you hours of scrolling through PDF lists. It connects your "plain English" description directly to the complex "Customs Language."

Method 2: The Official Government Portal (ICEGATE)

If you need to cross-check for duty rates, you can use the government portal.

1. Go to the ICEGATE Website.

2. Navigate to the "Trade Guide" or "Customs Duty Calculator".

3. Type in the HS Code you found on HSCode.in to see the current duty rates.

Method 3: The DGFT Website (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)

This is useful if you need to check if your item is "Restricted" or "Prohibited" for export.

1. Visit the DGFT Website.

2. Download the "ITC (HS) Import/Export Policy" document.

3. Search for your code to see if you need a special license to ship it.

Why the Correct Code Matters

In India, the HS Code determines two critical things:

1. Customs Duty: How much tax the buyer pays when it lands in their country.

2. GST Rate: Whether you pay 5%, 12%, 18%, or 28% GST in India.

Warning: Shipping "Leather Gloves" under the code for "Plastic Gloves" to save tax is considered Misdeclaration. It leads to heavy fines, confiscated cargo, and blacklisting by Indian Customs.

Summary

Don't guess. Don't use a random code from Google that might be for the USA or Europe.

1. Use HSCode.in to find the correct 8-digit Indian ITC-HS code by simply describing your product.

2. Put that code clearly on your Commercial Invoice and Shipping Bill.

3. Hand it to your CHA with confidence.

Once your paperwork is clean, your container will sail through Customs. Then, you can track its journey to the buyer right here on TraceContainer.com.