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February 18, 2026

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GST Rate & HSN Code for Man-Made Filaments – Chapter 54

Small GST mistakes on man-made filaments don’t stay small. A single wrong HSN digit can mess things up fast. Your GST jumps from 12% to 18%, ITC gets stuck, and notices land months later. A lot of businesses still lump yarn, thread, and fabric together. That habit keeps coming back to bite them. That shortcut costs money.

You’re in the right place if you want clarity, not copy-paste tables. This guide breaks Chapter 54 down by product form, sale type, and value, so you know exactly where your item fits and why.

What this article covers:

How Chapter 54 works and what it actually includes

Key HSN codes (5401-5407) with applicable GST rates

Practical classification tips, examples, and common mistakes

What is covered under HSN Chapter 54

HSN Chapter 54 covers man-made filaments. These are textile fibres produced through chemical processing, not farming or harvesting. They come out as long, continuous strands, which is what separates filaments from short staple fibres used elsewhere in textiles. They don't break into short staple fibres unless processed further.

What “Man-made filaments” means

Man-made filaments start as polymers. Factories heat them or dissolve them, then press the material through fine holes to create long strands. What you do after that matters. Twist it one way, and it becomes yarn. Pack it differently, and it turns into sewing thread or fabric. The material stays the same. The treatment changes everything.

Synthetic vs Artificial filaments

The split comes down to where the material starts.

Synthetic filaments come from petrochemicals. Polyester and nylon are the common ones you’ll see in everyday trade.

Artificial filaments begin with natural sources like cellulose. They still go through chemical processing, which is why they land here. Viscose and rayon are the usual examples.

Both stay inside Chapter 54.

What Chapter 54 includes

Chapter 54 covers products such as:

Sewing thread of man-made filaments

Synthetic and Artificial filament yarn

Filament yarn packed for retail sale

Monofilaments and strips above the specified thickness

Woven fabrics made from synthetic filament yarn

What Chapter 54 does not include

Chapter 54 does not cover:

Natural fibres like cotton, wool, or silk

Staple fibres and fabrics made from these (these shift to Chapter 55)

Finished garments and made-ups

Narrow fabrics, coated textiles, or technical textiles classified elsewhere

Getting this boundary right prevents rate errors before they show up in audits.

GST Rate overview for Chapter 54

Chapter 54 doesn’t run on a single GST rate. You’ll see 5%, 12%, or 18%, and that swing exists for a reason. GST looks at how the filament appears in trade, not just what it is. Thread, yarn, and fabric sit at different points in the value chain. The tax follows that logic.

Three factors decide the rate you apply:

‍Product form: sewing thread, filament yarn, or woven fabric

Sale type: packed for retail sale or supplied in bulk

Transaction value: relevant mainly for woven fabrics

Change one variable, and the rate can shift.

Chapter 54 GST Rates at a glance

Product Type	Typical GST Rate
Sewing thread	12%
Filament yarn (non-retail)	18%
Filament yarn (retail)	12%
Woven fabrics	5% or 12%

This snapshot helps you sanity check your classification before invoices go out.

Complete HSN Code list for man-made filaments

This table gives you a clean Chapter 54 snapshot, without burying you in sub-codes or outdated rate rows. It covers the HSN headings businesses actually use and the GST rates that apply today.

Chapter 54 HSN Codes and GST Rates

HSN Code	Description	GST Rate
5401	Sewing thread of man-made filaments	12%
5402	Synthetic filament yarn (not retail)	18%
5403	Artificial filament yarn (not retail)	18%
5404	Synthetic monofilament ≥67 decitex	18%
5405	Artificial monofilament and strip	18%
5406	Filament yarn put up for retail sale	12%
5407	Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn	5% or 12%

Rate-change notes worth knowing

HSN 5401 moved from 18% to 12%, which still trips up older systems and templates.

HSN 5406 stays at 12% only when the yarn qualifies as retail-packed

HSN 5407 splits between 5% and 12%, based on fabric value and notification conditions.

Then confirm edge cases before locking invoices.

Detailed explanation of key HSN codes

This section clears up the HSN codes that attract the most searches, disputes, and misclassification risks. If you deal in thread, yarn, or fabrics, this is where things usually go wrong or finally click.

HSN 5401: Sewing thread of man-made filaments

Product scope

HSN 5401 applies to sewing thread made from man-made filaments, whether sold loose or on spools. The defining factor is use, not thickness or material alone.

‍GST rate

You apply 12% GST under this heading

‍Common business use cases

Garment and apparel manufacturing

Leather goods and footwear units

Upholstery and home textile stitching

‍Why the rate drop from 18%

The rate reduction aligned sewing thread with other essential textile inputs. It eased cost pressure downstream, especially for MSME-driven manufacturing chains.

HSN 5402 vs 5406: Filament yarn explained

This pair causes the most confusion.

‍Non-retail vs retail sale

HSN 5402 covers filament yarn supplied in bulk, cones, or industrial packs.

HSN 5406 applies once the same yarn is packed for retail sale.

Packaging and labeling impact

Retail packing, printed MRP, consumer-facing labels, and smaller unit quantities shift the yarn into 5406. Skip these, and the classification stays at 5402.

‍GST difference

‍HSN 5402: 18% GST

HSN 5406: 12% GST

‍Common classification mistakes

Charging 12% on bulk yarn

Ignoring retail packaging rules

Using purchase HSN instead of sales HSN

One wrong assumption can flip your tax rate overnight.

HSN 5407: Woven fabrics of synthetic filament yarn

Woven fabrics bring a split-rate structure.

When 5% applies

Lower-value woven fabrics fall under 5% GST, subject to notification thresholds.

When 12% applies

Once the fabric crosses the notified value limit, the rate shifts to 12%.

Role of transaction value

Invoice value, not product description, drives the rate here. Two identical fabrics can attract different GST.

Interstate supply and IGST

Interstate sales attract IGST at the same applicable rate, 5% or 12%, with no separate treatment for fabric type.

This is one area where a quick value check saves a long explanation later.

How to choose the correct HSN code

Most HSN errors don’t come from ignorance. They come from shortcuts. Chapter 54 classification follows a logic chain, andonce you apply it step by step, the right code usually reveals itself.

Start with a product form

Ask a simple question first.

What are you selling?

‍Thread: likely HSN 5401

Yarn: moves you into 5402 or 5406

Fabric: points you to 5407

From decides the starting lane. Everything else fine-tunes the answer.

Check retail vs bulk

Packaging changes tax treatment.

Supplied on cones, beams, or large packs: non-retail

Packed in small units with MRP and consumer labels: retail

This single step often separates 18% from 12%.

Identify the filament type

Look at the raw input.

‍Petrochemical-based filaments: synthetic

Chemically treated natural polymers: artificial

Both stay in Chapter 54, yet they sit under different headings.

Look at the end use

Use doesn’t override form, yet it adds context.

Industrial weaving or processing: bulk classifications

Consumer sale or stitching use: retail-focused headings

Real-world examples

A polyester yarn sold in factory cones: HSN 5402 at 18%

The same yarn sold in small retail packs: HSN 5406 at 12%

Finished woven polyester fabric crossing value limits: HSN 5407 at 12%, not 5%

When you follow this order, misclassification stops feeling random.

GST Compliance notes for chapter 54 products

Correct classification is only half the job. Compliance decides whether your filings stay clean or spiral into notices.

Invoicing requirements

Your invoice must clearly mention the 8-digit HSN code, product description, GST rate, and taxable value.

Mismatch between description and HSN is a common trigger for scrutiny, especially in textiles.

ITC eligibility

Interstate supply: IGST applies

Intrastate supply: CGST + SGST split

Rates stay the same. Only the tax bucket changes.

IGST vs CGST/SGST

Interstate supply: IGST applies

Intrastate supply: CGST + SGST split

Rates stay the same. Only the tax bucket changes.

Impact on exporters

Exports fall under zero-rated supply

GST paid on inputs can be claimed as a refund, provided HSN codes align with shipping and export documents.

E-Invoicing relevance

If turnover crosses the notified threshold, e-invoicing becomes mandatory. An incorrect HSN entry can invalidate IRNs and disrupt returns.

Common mistakes & misclassification risks

Most disputes under Chapter 54 don’t start with intent. They start with assumptions. Small ones. Costly ones.

Using 5402 instead of 5406

Businesses often tag filament yarn meant for retail sale under 5402.

That pushes GST to 18%, even though 5406 attracts 12%.

‍Fix:

Check packaging. If it’s labeled, branded, and ready for retail shelves, 5406 fits better.

Applying 5% incorrectly on woven fabrics

Many apply 5% GST on woven fabrics without checking value conditions.

That rate doesn’t apply across the board.

‍Fix:

Confirm fabric value per meter. Higher-value fabrics move to 12%.

Ignoring retail packaging rules

Loose cones and boxed spools don’t get treated the same.

Packaging changes classification. GST follows.

‍Fix:

Match HSN to how the product is sold, not how it’s manufactured.

Wrong HSN in E-way bills

Invoices show one HSN. E-way shows another.

That mismatch raises flags during transit checks

‍Fix:

Keep the invoice, e-way bill, and returns aligned line by line.

Misclassification doesn’t look risky at first glance. It gets expensive later.

Conclusion

You now know how Chapter 54 actually works, including rates, boundaries, and the small classification calls that decide whether GST stays clean or becomes a follow-up.

Product form sets the base HSN, then packaging and value fine-tune the rate you apply.

Retail vs bulk isn’t cosmetic. It shifts filament yarn between 12% and 18%.

Woven fabrics demand a value check every time, or the 5% vs 12% split goes wrong.

If keeping HSN logic consistent across invoices, e-way bills, and exports feels harder than it should, Swipe fits naturally here. It helps you apply the same clarity you just learned without having to recheck the rules every single time.

FAQs

Is GST always 18% on filament yarn?

No. Filament yarn attracts 18% GST only when supplied in bulk or non-retail form under HSN 5402 or 5403. Once packed and labeled for retail sale, it shifts to HSN 5406 at 12%.

Why are some woven fabrics taxed at 5%?

Woven fabrics under HSN 5407 attract 5% GST when the transaction value stays within the notified limits. Higher-value supplies move to 12%, even if the fabrics stay identical.

Does packaging affect HSN classification?

Yes. Packaging plays a direct role. Retail-ready packing with MRP and consumer labels can move filament yarn from 5402 to 5406, changing the GST rate from 18% to 12%.

Which HSN applies to exports?

Exports use the same HSN classification as domestic supplies. The difference lies in tax treatment. Exports qualify as zero-rated, letting you claim refunds on GST paid on inputs.

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