Acrylic Signage HSN Code

Understanding the Acrylic Signage HSN Code and GST Rate

Acrylic signage is a popular choice for businesses seeking durable, versatile, and aesthetically pleasing display solutions. For manufacturers, designers, and installers of acrylic signs, understanding the correct HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) code and the applicable GST (Goods and Services Tax) rate is paramount for accurate billing, compliance, and managing project costs in India.

The HSN system provides a globally recognized method for classifying goods, which directly determines the GST rates. While “Acrylic Signage” itself isn’t a single HSN code, the classification depends on the primary material and its form. Given that acrylic is a type of plastic, its journey to becoming a sign primarily starts in Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof.

Decoding Acrylic Signage HSN Classifications

The provided data offers crucial insights into the classification of acrylic in its various forms, which helps pinpoint the HSN for signage.

• Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof
  • This chapter is the core for acrylic materials. The data highlights several HSN codes related to acrylic polymers in primary forms and, more importantly, in sheet form:
    • 39069040: “Poly (Acrylic Acid)” (18% GST) – This refers to the raw chemical.
    • 39061090: “Acrylic Polymers In Primary Forms – Poly (Methyl Methacrylate): Other” (18% GST) – This covers raw acrylic polymers.
    • 39069020: “Acrylic Polymers In Primary Forms – Other : Polyacrylate Moulding Powder” (18% GST) – Another raw form.
    • Crucially, for signage, we look at sheets:
      • 39205112: “Other Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip, Of Plastics, Non – Cellular… – Of Acrylic Polymers: Of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate): Sheets :Flexible, Plain” (18% GST).
      • 39205119: “Other Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip, Of Plastics, Non – Cellular… – Of Acrylic Polymers: Of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate): Sheets :Other” (18% GST).
      • 39205999: “Other Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip, Of Plastics, Non – Cellular… – Of Acrylic Polymers: Other : Other : Other” (18% GST).
      • 39205991: “Other Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip, Of Plastics, Non – Cellular… – Of Acrylic Polymers: Other : Other : Rigid, Plain” (18% GST).
      • 39205912: “Other Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip, Of Plastics, Non – Cellular… – Of Acrylic Polymers: Other : Polyacrylate Sheets:Flexible, Plain” (18% GST).
  • Consistent GST Rate: All the above HSN codes for acrylic polymers in primary forms and, significantly, acrylic sheets, consistently attract an 18% GST rate. This rate applies to the raw material used to create the signage.
• Chapter 32: Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks
  • 32082030 and 32082010: “Paints And Varnishes (Including Enamels And Lacquers) Based On Synthetic Polymers Or Chemically Modified Natural Polymers… – Based On Acrylic Or Vinyl Polymer” (18% GST). These codes would apply to any acrylic-based paints or coatings used on the signage.
• Other Chapters (Less Directly Relevant to Finished Signage):
  • Chapter 55: Man-made staple fibres: This chapter deals with acrylic in fiber form (e.g., for fabrics, yarns), which is not directly the finished signage material. While some fiber forms have 5% GST, others have 12% or 18%, but this is irrelevant for solid acrylic sheets.
  • Chapter 29: Organic chemical elements or of isotopes: This covers esters of acrylic acid (291612) at 18% GST, which are chemical precursors.

The GST Rate for Acrylic Signage: Mostly 18%

Given that acrylic signage is primarily made from acrylic sheets, the GST rate for the core material is 18%. This means that when you purchase the acrylic sheet itself for manufacturing a sign, you will be paying 18% GST.

When the acrylic sheet is further processed into a finished sign (cut, shaped, printed, illuminated), it retains the GST rate of its primary component, which is the plastic sheet. Signage, being a manufactured product for display and advertising, consistently attracts the 18% GST rate on the final product as well, aligning with other manufactured goods and services.