Rope HSN Code

Understanding the HSN Code for Ropes

Ropes are fundamental tools, essential across countless industries, from maritime and construction to agriculture and sports. For manufacturers, suppliers, and users in India, accurately identifying the Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) code for different types of ropes is crucial for Goods and Services Tax (GST) compliance. Let’s explore the HSN classifications for ropes based on their material and form.

The Ropes Under the HSN System

The HSN system classifies ropes primarily based on the material they are made from, and whether they are new products or scrap/used items.

Chapter 56: Wadding, Felt and Nonwovens; Special Yarns; Twine, Cordage, Ropes and Cables and Articles Thereof

This is the most direct and comprehensive chapter for new ropes and related products:

• Twine, Cordage, Ropes And Cables, Whether Or Not Plaited Or Braided And Whether Or Not Impregnated, Coated, Covered Or Sheathed With Rubber Or Plastics: This broad description covers most new ropes.
  • Of Jute or Other Textile Bast Fibres (HSN 56071010): “Cordage, Cable, Rope And Twine Of Jute” falls here. It has a 12% GST rate, effective from 15/11/2017 (originally 01/07/2017).
  • Of Other Synthetic Fibres (e.g., Nylon Rope, Viscose Tyre Cord):
    • “Viscose Tyre Cord” (HSN 56075030) is listed at 12% GST.
    • “Nylon Rope” (HSN 56075040) is also at 12% GST.
  • Of Cotton (HSN 56079020): “Cordage, Cable, Ropes And Twine, Of Cotton” falls here, with a 12% GST rate.
  • Of Sisal Or Other Textile Fibres Of The Genus Agave (HSN 5607): The general heading for these natural fiber ropes also shows a 12% GST rate.
  • Articles Of Yarn, Strip Or The Like… Twine, Cordage, Rope Or Cables, Not Elsewhere Specified Or Included (HSN 560900): This general “other” category for rope-like articles is also at 12% GST.

Chapter 73: Articles of Iron or Steel

This chapter covers ropes made of metallic materials:

• Stranded Wire, Ropes, Cables, Plaited Bands, Slings And The Like, Of Iron Or Steel, Not Electrically Insulated: This specifically covers steel ropes.
  • General categories like 731210 and 7312 (for “Stranded Wire, Ropes And Cables”) are listed.
  • Specific sub-codes like “Wire Ropes, Galvanised” (HSN 73121020) are also provided.
  • All these entries consistently carry an 18% GST rate, effective from 01/07/2017.

Chapter 63: Other Made Up Textile Articles; Sets; Worn Clothing and Worn Textile Articles; Rags

This chapter deals with used or scrap materials, including ropes:

• Used Or New Rags, Scrap Twine, Cordage, Rope And Cables And Worn Out Articles Of Twine, Cordage, Rope Or Cables, Of Textile Materials: This covers ropes that are no longer new or are considered scrap.
  • General “Other” (HSN 63109090) and specific entries for “Gunny Cuttings” (HSN 63101030), “Woolen Rags” (HSN 63109010), “Cotton Rags” (HSN 63109020), and “Synthetic Rags” (HSN 63109040) that include worn out rope are listed.
  • All these scrap/worn-out rope categories are subject to a 12% GST rate, effective from 15/11/2017 (originally 01/07/2017).

Distinguish from Other “Rope” Related Items

The data also includes other “rope” related items with different HSN classifications:

• Knotted Netting Of Twine, Cordage Or Rope; Made Up Fishing Nets And Other Made Up Nets, Of Textile Materials (HSN 5608): While made from rope/twine, these are finished netting products (like fishing nets) and generally have a lower GST rate of 5%.
• Ropeway And Telphers (Cranes/Machinery) (HSN 84269910): This refers to the machinery itself (like a cable car system), not the ropes it uses. It’s under Chapter 84 and has an 18% GST rate.
• Wire of Other Alloy Steel (Wire Rope Quality) (HSN 72299021, 72299023): This refers to the raw wire material used to make steel ropes, not the finished ropes themselves. It’s under Chapter 72 (“Iron and steel”) and has an 18% GST rate.

The key takeaway is that the HSN code for a rope depends heavily on its material (textile or metal) and its condition (new or scrap/worn).