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April 20, 2026

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GST Rate & HSN Code 4417: Wood Tool Bodies, Handles & Shoe Lasts

GST Rates & HSN Code for Wood Tool Bodies and Handles (HSN 4417)

If you find that your business entails the manufacture and/or trade in wooden tools, hardware accessories, and/or components used in making footwear, then it is even more important to ensure that your classification is correct. Many of these manufactured articles, like tool handles or shoe lasts, prepared from wood will fall under a different classification from raw timber as far as tax rates go.

It was often very difficult to deal with a system like a Goods and Services Tax wherein there are different taxation brackets applicable to different classes or categories of "wood" products. For example, some "wood" tools are liable to a reduced rate of taxation, 12%, while others, like "plywood," are liable to a rate of 18%. This can lead to a heavy fine or a reduction in your profit margin.

The HSN code for which we will break down the GST rates will be HSN code 4417, the GST rates applicable to wood tool bodies, the GST rates applicable to the handles of a tool, the GST rates applicable to broom bodies, the GST rates applicable to shoe lasts, and how you can effectively manage your invoicing to be 100% compliant.

Understanding HSN Code 4417

A standardized system that has gained international recognition for the classification of commodities across the globe is termed as Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN). Chapter 44 of GST Tariff deals with "Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal." The section HSN Code 4417 is exclusively concerned with finished wooden items used as tools or parts of tools in this chapter.

What does HSN 4417 cover?

The official schedule of the GST Tariff provides that the HSN 4417 deals with the following particular descriptions:

Tools: The real wooden tools.

Tool Bodies: The major wooden part of a tool, like the wooden block of a plane.

Tool Handles: Axes, shovels, hammers, screwdrivers, etc., are examples of tools provided with a Broom or Brush Bodies and Handles: The wooden broom or brush handle or backing.

Cobblers and shoe makers use wooden forms called boot or shoe lasts and trees, on which footwear is shaped or stored.

Note: This rule only applies to wood-based products. A handle made of metal or plastic would fall under a different chapter-in this case, either Chapter 82 for basic metal tools or Chapter 39 for plastics.

Current Rate

The applicable rate of GST for items classified under HSN Code 4417 is at 12% as of 2025. The main producers of these wooden utility products include small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), and craftsmen who are helped by these prices.

Tax Dissection

Depending on the transaction or the nature of the transaction, the 12% GST can be made up of the following elements if you are selling the goods:

Transaction	Type	Component Rate
Intra-State Sale (Within the same state)	"CGST (Central GST)
SGST (State GST)"	"6%
6%"
Inter-State Sale (Between two different states)	IGST (Integrated GST)	12%

Reasons why this rate is important?

In fact, an 18% GST tax usually prevails on a variety of different wood items, such as plywood, particle board, etc. Tool handles and bodies are used by other manual laborers, say farmers, carpenters, sweepers, etc., so these are called intermediary goods or capital goods. In that category, the percentage is retained at 12%. In fact, while charging only 5% would attract tax warning charges, charging 18% would make your goods uncompetitive.

Product Scope in Detail: Are You Using the Correct Code?

Let's focus on the items to make sure HSN 4417 is the right code for your products.

1. Tool handles made of wood

This is by far the most common category. The twisted wood products that are used as grips for:

Shovels and Spades

Hatchets and Axes

Mallets and Hammers

Chisels and screwdrivers

Hoes and garden rakes

When you produce a hardwood handle and supply it to a tool manufacturer who puts the metal head, you bill under HSN 4417 at 12%.

2. Brush and Broom Bodies

It is the wooden block into which the bristles are inserted.

A block of wood for a floor scrubber would be a good example.

As a matter of fact, a wooden stick (handle) of a ceiling broom.

Compliance Tip: Although complete brooms sometimes have their own classification, if the broom is complete with bristles, it may nevertheless be classified here, the wood component imparts the essential character. However, the handles and heads which are sold separately are undoubtedly 4417.

3. Trees and Shoe Lasts

This particular product is used in the footwear industry.

Shoe lasts are forms or molds a shoe will take during production.

Shoe Trees: A structure used to maintain the shape of a finished shoe.

Inverted Duty Structure

The Problem of the Manufacturers', one of the most significant financial factors for makers of hardwood handles is what's called the Inverted Duty Structure.

The Situation : Wood handles require sawn or raw wood as materials to be purchased.

Input Tax: Sawn wood is essentially charged with 18% GST (HSN 4407).

Output Tax: 12% GST is levied on your resultant product (Wooden Handle HSN 4417).

This means that the tax imposed on your raw materials is higher than the tax you charge on your final sales.

For example, you are required to procure a wooden item at a price of 100,000 + 18% GST. Later, you are required to produce a certain item and sell it at 150,000 + 12% GST.

Your ITC would be ₹18,000, and your Output Liability is ₹18,000. In cases of low margins, you could be stuck with unutilized accumulated ITC.

Here, the manufacturer may claim a refund of GST on account of Inverted Duty Structure. For doing this effectively and efficiently, you need sound accounting software that keeps accurate records of every input and output invoice.

Compare to Other Wood HSN Codes

It may prove to be beneficial in avoiding misclassifications to understand the position of HSN 4417 in relation to other wood products.

HSN Code	Description	GST Rate
4417	Wooden Tool Bodies, Handles, Shoe Lasts	12%
4401	Firewood / Fuel Wood	5% / Nil
4403	Wood in the rough (Logs)	18%
4407	Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise	18%
4408	Veneer sheets	18%
4412	Plywood and laminated wood	18%
4419	Tableware and kitchenware of wood	12%
4421	Other articles of wood (Clothes hangers, etc.)	12%

Typical Compliance Errors to Steer Clear of

1. Confusing "Tool Handles" with "Furniture Parts

Wooden table legs will again come under 4421/ 9403, i.e., Furniture components. These pieces cannot fall under 4417. HSN 4417 is for brooms and equipment. “It is tax evasion if furniture pieces are being brought under the category of tool handles for the purpose of claiming 12% tax” (if the furniture piece attracts higher rates than 12% in your area).”

2. Inaccurate Measurement Unit (UQC)

Normally, the Unit Quantity Code for hardwood handle material will read "PCS" (Pieces). Also, there are some wood merchants dealing in bulk material on the basis of weight or volume referred to as "KGS." To arrest any check in transport during the movement of goods, a bill of invoice needs to incorporate both the E-way bill requirements as well as the unit code requirements of the customer.

3. Negligence in E-way Bills

You need to generate an E-Way Bill if the value of the shipment of the wooden handle is higher than ₹50,000. It is not possible to negotiate a valid E-Way bill with a matching tax invoice as the goods are considered a sensitive item in various states due to forest laws.

Quality Control's Influence on the Classification

Though GST typically considers the description, the nature of the wood can occasionally cause categorization confusion.

Densified Wood: It usually attracts 18% if the wood is chemically treated or compressed to form "densified wood" (HSN 4413).

The Exception: The densified wood, per some ruling interpretations, would fall into 4417 (12%) if it is fashioned into a tool handle.

Tip: If your trade is involved in densified wooden handles, consider consulting a tax professional to confirm your tax liability is not at the higher 18%.

Conclusion

This HSN Code is important for producers and dealers of wooden bodies of tools, handles of tools, broom bodies, and shoe lasts. HSN Code 4417 is advantageous regarding taxation in terms of a reduced GST of 12% as compared to raw wood.

The advantage comes, however, at a cost of needing to properly invoice. So that you may charge this reduced price, a clear differentiation from raw wood products and general furnishings will need to be made.

Leverage modern invoicing systems to make billing processes easier while ensuring that you never get confused between your CGST, SGST, or IGST. Focus more on what matters the most, developing quality timber-related tools that will help build our great country, while remaining compliant and in control.

FAQs

1. What is the GST rate for wooden tool handles?

GST applicable to the wooden tool handle: 12%. It comes under the code 4417.

2. Can I claim an Input Tax Credit (ITC) if I pay 18% on raw wood and collect 12% on handles?

Yes, you can claim ITC. Since your tax on inputs are higher at 18% compared to your tax on output (12%), you fall under an Inverted Duty Structure. You could get the facility of refund of the accumulated unutilized ITC.

3. What is the difference between HSN 4417 and HSN 4421?

HSN 4417 covers the heading of tools, tool handles, broom bodies, and shoe lasts. " HSN 4421 captures "Other articles of wood" not covered by any of the above categories. This would cover things like clothes hangers, blinds, coffins, and so on.

4. Does HSN 4417 apply to plastic handles?

No. HSN 4417 applies only to tools, bodies, and handles made of wood. The plastic handle, in general, would fall under Chapter 39 and may attract different GST rates, usually 18%.

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