← HSN and SAC codes for common items · Search any code on the HSN code finder.
Soap is classified under HSN heading 3401. GST as on 26 October 2026: 5% or 18%.
Rates checked on 26 October 2026 · BooksOn HSN dataset v7, compiled from CBIC notifications
What is the GST rate on Soap?
GST on Soap as on 26 October 2026: 5% or 18%. Which rate applies depends on the exact code and on how it is sold or supplied; each entry below names the CBIC notification it comes from.
Changed with GST 2.0 (22 September 2025): 18% → 5% (3401). Many rate charts online still show the old rate. All GST 2.0 rate changes.
| Old GST rate (before 22 Sep 2025) | New GST rate | Code | What it covers | Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18% | 5% | 3401 | If you sell toilet soap (not industrial soap) as bars, cakes or moulded shapes, GST is 5%. | 9/2025-CT(R), entry 251 |
| 18% | 18% | 3401 | Soap other than toilet soap bars, liquid or cream skin washes in retail packs, and paper or cloth soaked with soap or detergent are taxed at 18%. | 9/2025-CT(R), entry 66 |
GST rate on Soap since 1 July 2017
The rate in force in each period, for old invoices, amended returns and audits. Each change came with a CBIC notification; the rate on any exact date is in the app.
| From | To | GST |
|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2017 | 14 November 2017 | 18% or 28% |
| 15 November 2017 | 21 September 2025 | 18% |
| 22 September 2025 | today | 5% or 18% |
The GST rate on Soap is set by the CBIC rate notification entry that covers it. It can depend on how the goods are sold, for example packed and labelled or loose, and many rates changed with GST 2.0 from 22 September 2025. The free BooksOn HSN app shows the rate as on any date since 1 July 2017, with the notification and entry number.
3401 Soap, organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, whether or not containing soap, organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent
| Code | Description (as in the tariff) |
|---|---|
340111 | For toilet use (including medicated products) |
34011110 | Medicated toilet soaps |
34011120 | Shaving soaps other than shaving cream |
34011190 | Other |
340119 | Other |
34011911 | Industrial soap |
34011919 | Other |
34011920 | Flakes, chips and powder |
34011930 | Tablets and cakes |
34011941 | Household soaps |
34011942 | Laundry soaps |
34011990 | Other |
340120 | Soap in other forms |
34012000 | Soap in other forms |
340130 | Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale,whether or not containing soap |
34013011 | Medicated toilet soaps |
34013012 | Shaving cream and shaving gel |
34013019 | Other |
34013090 | Other |
Which code goes on your GST invoice?
From 1 April 2021 (Notification 78/2020-Central Tax), a business with aggregate annual turnover up to ₹5 crore must show at least 4 digits of the HSN code on B2B tax invoices; above ₹5 crore, 6 digits on all tax invoices. Services use the SAC code in the same way.
Other common items
- Candles
3406 - Detergent and washing powder
3402 - Shampoo
3305 - Toothpaste
3306 - Cosmetics (Makeup)
3304 - Perfume (Scent)
3303 - Agarbatti (incense sticks)
3307 - Matches (Matchbox)
3605 - Medicines
3004 - Vaccines
3002 - Fertilisers (Urea)
31 - Insecticides (Pesticide)
3808
Codes and descriptions from the BooksOn HSN dataset (version 7, 2026-10-19), compiled from the Customs Tariff and CBIC notifications. Reference only; see Sources & disclaimer.
