GSTN Clarification on 4-digit/6-digit HSNs not accepted on e-invoice/e-Way bill Portal

GSTN Clarification on 4-digit/6-digit HSNs not accepted on e-invoice/e-Way bill Portal. Number of HSN digits as per Notifications No. 12/2017 & 78/2020 are minimum number of HSN digits to be mentioned on the invoice.

GSTN Clarification on reporting 4-digit/6-digit HSNs

In terms of the Notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax dated June 28, 2017, as amended vide Notification No. 78/2020 – Central Tax, dated October 15, 2020, taxpayers are required to declare specified digits, as follows, of Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) / Service Accounting Code (SAC) Code on raising of tax invoices, w.e.f. April 1, 2021.

It may be noted that specific 6-digit HSNs, as available in the HSN/Customs Tariff (with corresponding description of goods) are allowed in the system. It also follows that the declaration of HSN at 4/6 Digits has to be out of valid HSN codes only.  

As per advisory, GST helpdesk received some tickets wherein it was reported that certain 6-digit HSN codes are not available in HSN Master/ not accepted on e-invoice/e-Way bill portals.

It has been stated that there are instances that some taxpayers are trying to report truncated first 6-digits out of an otherwise valid 8-digit HSN; which are actually not available in Tariff at 6-digit level and with no corresponding description of goods; these are invalid and hence not being allowed in the System.

Taxpayers have been advised that based on the harmonious interpretation of the above mentioned Notifications, read with Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as made applicable to GST; the number of digits of HSN, as specified vide Notifications No. 12/2017 & 78/2020 (Central Tax), are the minimum number of digits of HSN to be mentioned on the invoice.

Example: Where HSN 6 digits are specified to be reported in invoice, valid HSN codes as available in tariff, at both 6-digits and 8-digits can be mentioned. Similarly, where HSN at 4-digits are specified, valid HSN codes as available in tariff, at 4-digit, 6-digit and 8-digit can be mentioned. However, the 4/6 Digit HSN Codes, which are not available in the tariff; along with specific description, Unit and GST Rate; are not allowed to be mentioned.

Further, it has been advised that if the HSN of any Goods/Service is otherwise valid but not accepted on GST Portal / e-invoice Portal / e-way Bill portal, please raise a ticket on GST Self-Service Portal: https://selfservice.gstsystem.in/ > Report Issue > Type ‘HSN’ in ‘Type of Issue/Concern’ search box > Select relevant sub-category, e.g. ‘e-Invoice – IRP – HSN Code related’