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Chapter 49 HSN codes: books and printed matter

Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans. Every heading in chapter 49 with its GST rate; search any 8-digit code below.

Rates checked · from the official GST notifications

    Rates from the CBIC notifications (9/2025, 10/2025 and 19/2025 for goods; 11/2017 as amended by 15/2025 for services), checked October 2026. Calculate GST

    Headings in chapter 49 and their GST

    HSNDescriptionGST
    4901Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets4 tariff items0% or 5%
    4902Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material4 tariff items0%
    4903Children's picture, drawing or colouring books2 tariff items0%
    4904Music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated1 tariff item0%
    4905Maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds, including atlases, wall maps, topographical plans and globes, printed8 tariff items0%
    4906Plans and drawings for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar purposes, being originals drawn by hand; hand-written texts; photographic reproductions on sensitised paper and carbon copies of the foregoing1 tariff item18%
    4907Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognized face value; stamp-impressed paper; bank notes; cheque forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title4 tariff items0% or 18%
    4908Transfers (decalcomanias)2 tariff items18%
    4909Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings2 tariff items18%
    4910Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks2 tariff items18%
    4911Other printed matter, including printed pictures and photographs8 tariff items18%

    Where a heading shows two rates, its codes or its goods differ: tap the heading to see each 8-digit code and the condition for each rate.

    Other chapters

    What chapter 49 covers

    Chapter 49 of the tariff is "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans". It has 11 four-digit headings and 38 eight-digit tariff items, such as 4901 (Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed), 4902 (Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not), 4903 (Children's picture, drawing or colouring books).

    GST rates in chapter 49

    Most of its tariff items are taxed at 0%. By tariff item: 15 at 0%, 15 at 18%. For 8 of them the rate depends on how the goods are described or sold (for example the sale price, or whether they are pre-packaged and labelled), so the finder shows each option with its condition.

    Questions

    What is the GST rate for chapter 49 goods?

    Most of its tariff items are taxed at 0%. Of the 38 eight-digit codes in chapter 49, 15 at 0%, 15 at 18%; the rest depend on the description. Check the exact code in the table: some headings have more than one rate.

    What is HSN code 4901?

    Heading 4901 is "Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets". GST: 0% or 5%.

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