DPIIT releases HSN Codes Guidebook to map 12,167 codes across 31 ministries and departments of the Government of India.
Unveiled by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, the publication aims to promote a data-driven approach in manufacturing development, investment promotion, and trade facilitation, while serving as the foundation for a resilient and competitive industrial ecosystem.
Strategic Catalyst for Growth
Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Goyal said the HSN Codes Guidebook marks a pivotal milestone in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat@2047.
“The Guidebook will serve as a catalyst for sharper policy interventions and effective trade negotiations through mapping of products to their relevant Ministries and Departments,” the Minister noted.
He added that the mapping exercise will not only strengthen domestic production capacity and foster sectoral growth but also support trade agreements aligned with India’s economic priorities and domain strengths. By streamlining custodianship of HSN codes, the guidebook will enhance regulatory efficiency and further improve ease of doing business.
Addressing Long-standing Challenges
The initiative originates from persistent challenges faced during trade negotiations, import substitution efforts, and industry grievance redressal due to the absence of definitive mapping of HSN codes. Unmapped codes were often misclassified as residual products, creating uncertainty for businesses.
To resolve these issues, DPIIT undertook a holistic and consultative process. Each of the
12,167 HSN codes sourced from the CBIC Tariff Manual was analysed through value-chain and use-case studies. The mapping was aligned with the Allocation of Business (AoB) Rules, 1961, based on the nature and end-use of products.
The exercise involved multiple layers of stakeholder engagement, including inter-ministerial consultations, joint working group meetings, over 300 one-on-one discussions with Ministries and Departments, and extensive industry consultations.
Operational Framework for Ministries
The HSN Codes Guidebook also includes a dedicated section titled “How to Use the Guidebook?”, structured around three operational pillars:
- Manufacture in India: Positioning India as a global manufacturing hub through sector- specific policy alignment, value-chain strengthening, and workforce development.
- Strengthen Brand India: Enhancing global perception of the Made in India label by focusing on quality improvements and compliance with international standards.
- Make for the World: Supporting more effective trade negotiations to enable Indian products to secure greater share in global markets.
Towards Viksit Bharat@2047
Goyal underlined that the HSN Codes Guidebook is not merely a classification exercise but a strategic instrument for shaping India’s industrial future. By streamlining regulatory ownership and empowering Ministries to act with greater clarity, the publication aligns policy intent with actionable outcomes.
As India advances towards Viksit Bharat@2047, the HSN Codes Guidebook stands as a critical enabler for translating the country’s industrial ambitions into global leadership, ensuring that governance is responsive to the needs of both industry and investors.
Official Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB) –
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2169207
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