HSN Codes for Printed Books & Printed Material
Printed books, newspapers & printed matter — HSN codes with applicable GST rates for 2026.
GST guidance by Pardeep Jha, Chartered Accountant
Pardeep Jha & Associates, Chartered Accountants · Rates as on July 2026
Chapter 49 covers printed books, newspapers, brochures, maps, calendars and other printed matter. Publishers, printing presses and booksellers use these codes on their invoices.
A notable feature of this chapter is that printed books are exempt (0%) from GST, which is a common point of confusion — the printing service or the paper input may be taxable even when the finished book is not. Other printed matter such as calendars, brochures and printed cards attracts positive rates up to 18%.
Match your printed product in the table to see whether it is exempt or taxable and at what rate.
HSN Codes & GST Rates
| HSN Code | Description | GST Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4901 | Chapter 49 item - Refer to GST tariff schedule | 5% |
| 4901 | Printed books, including Braille books | 0% (Exempt) |
| 4902 | Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material | 0% (Exempt) |
| 4903 | Children's picture, drawing or colouring books | 0% (Exempt) |
| 49040000 | Music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated | 0% (Exempt) |
| 4905 | Maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds, including atlases, wall maps, topographical plans and globes, printed | 0% (Exempt) |
| 49060000 | Plans 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 foregoing | 18% |
| 4907 | Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of 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... | 18% |
| 4907 | Rupee notes or coins when sold to Reserve Bank of India or the government of India | 0% (Exempt) |
| 4908 | Transfers (decalcomanias). | 18% |
| 4909 | Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings. | 18% |
| 4910 | Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks. | 18% |
| 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... | 18% |
Showing 13 HSN codes for this category.
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Is GST applicable on printed books?
Printed books are exempt from GST (0%). However, printing services and the raw paper used may still be taxable, so the exemption applies to the finished book, not the whole supply chain.
What is the GST rate on brochures and calendars?
Printed brochures, leaflets, calendars and similar printed matter attract positive GST rates. Confirm the specific figure from the rate column for your item.
How many digits of the HSN code do I need to put on my invoice?
It depends on your aggregate annual turnover. Businesses with turnover up to ₹5 crore must quote at least a 4-digit HSN code (a 2-digit code is allowed for B2C supplies below the threshold), while those above ₹5 crore must quote a 6-digit code. Many businesses use the full 8-digit code to be safe. SAC codes for services follow the same digit logic.
Published/updated July 2026. This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. GST rates and HSN/SAC classifications change frequently through government notifications. RaiseBill and Pardeep Jha & Associates accept no liability for any loss arising from reliance on this data — for binding classification and current rates, refer to the CBIC-GST portal or consult a qualified Chartered Accountant.