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September 2, 2025

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Rubber and Articles Thereof: Understanding GST Rates and HSN Code (Chapter 40)

The automobile industry, together with healthcare and construction, mainly depends on various rubber materials for its operations. Businesses that deal with rubber products must comprehensively know the tax rules of Goods and Services Tax (GST) along with the HSN code System of Nomenclature for rubber and its associated products.

A thorough assessment of the GST taxation and HSN code arrangement for Chapter 40 appears in this article, where natural and synthetic rubber, along with rubber products and rubber articles, feature.

Understanding HSN Code Chapter 40

Chapter 40 of the HSN system pertains to "Rubber and Articles Thereof." The classification framework under Chapter 40 includes natural rubber and synthetic rubber, and reclaimed rubber together with every rubber product such as tubes, pipes, conveyor belts, gaskets, and rubber sheets. Classification stands crucial for determining GST rates along with customs duties as well as compliance obligations.

Importance of HSN Classification

Facilitates uniform taxation across India.

Helps in trade documentation and record-keeping.

Prevents misclassification and tax disputes.

GST Rates on Rubber and Rubber Articles

The GST Council uses diverse tax ranges to categorize rubber items and their associated products according to their purpose and characteristics. This detailed table provides the GST rates and accompanying HSN codes for rubber and its articles:

HSN Code	Description	GST Rate
4001	Natural rubber in all forms	5%
4002	Synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils	18%
4003	Reclaimed rubber in primary forms	5%
4004	Waste, parings, and scrap of rubber	5%
4005	Compounded rubber, unvulcanised	18%
4006	Rubber thread and cord	12%
4007	Vulcanized rubber thread and cord	18%
4008	Plates, sheets, and strips of rubber	18%
4009	Tubes, pipes, and hoses of rubber	18%
4010	Conveyor belts or transmission belts	18%
4011	New pneumatic tires	28%
4012	Re-treaded or used pneumatic tires	18%
4013	Inner tubes for tires	18%
4014	Hygienic or pharmaceutical rubber articles	12%
4015	Other articles of vulcanized rubber	18%

Detailed Breakdown of GST Implications

1. Natural and Synthetic Rubber

Even though GST imposes taxation on Natural rubber (HSN 4001) and reclaimed rubber (HSN 4003) at 5%, the Annual Rate. The GST tax system, with its lowered rates, produces advantageous outcomes that enhance raw material supply chains together with the agricultural sector. Manufacturing and production expenses of synthetic rubber (HSN 4002) lead to an 18 percent GST tax rate.

Usage and Market Trends

Natural rubber serves as the main ingredient for producing tires and industrial belts, together with footwear products.

There are three main fields where synthetic rubber finds its utility through its use in automotive part manufacturing and sealing solutions, together with industrial applications.

2. Rubber Products and Industrial Use

The usage of rubber sheets and hoses, and belts (HSN 4008-4010) occurs mainly in industrial machinery and automobile sectors, and construction sites. These rubber products fall under the standard GST rate of 18%, which applies to all industrial goods.

Popular Rubber-Based Industrial Applications

The mining and construction sectors, together with production facilities, utilize conveyor belts for their operations.

The functionality of electrical insulation and floor applications depends heavily on rubber sheets.

For more insights, read: Hard Rubber GST Rate & HSN Code 4017

3. Tires and Inner Tubes

Pneumatic tires under HSN 4011 face GST taxation at the highest rate of 28% since they are extensively utilized throughout the automotive industry. Products classified as used tires (HSN 4012) together with inner tubes (HSN 4013) face taxation at the 18% rate under Indian taxation.

Automobile Industry Impact

The increased tax on new tires creates price changes throughout the automotive sector.

Retreading tires proves more beneficial for commercial operators concerning both cost-effectiveness and operation expense control.

4. Pharmaceutical and Hygienic Rubber Articles

Rubber healthcare products, including medical gloves and contraceptive devices (HSN 4014), enjoy reduced taxation at 12% to make these products more affordable in medical facilities.

Importance in the Healthcare Sector

Medical gloves serve both hygiene protection and safety purposes in hospital and clinic settings.

Rubber catheters together with tubing have become standard medical device components.

Compliance and Documentation Requirements

Businesses dealing with rubber and rubber products must adhere to compliance requirements such as:

Essential Documentation

Proper invoicing with HSN codes for transactions above Rs. 5 crores.

Maintaining detailed purchase and sales records for auditing purposes.

Ensuring accurate classification under the applicable HSN code to avoid penalties.

GST Return Filing

Monthly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing.

Annual GSTR-9 return submission for accurate reporting.

Challenges in Compliance

Frequent changes in GST rates may lead to confusion.

Small businesses struggle with digital GST compliance requirements.

Future Trends in the Rubber Industry and GST Impact

Technological Advancements

To reduce environmental impact, rubber recycling can help a lot.

Use of bio-based rubber to replace synthetic materials.

Government Policies

Possible reduction in GST for eco-friendly rubber products.

Incentives for MSMEs in rubber manufacturing.

Global Trade and Import-Export Considerations

India imports natural rubber from countries like Thailand and Indonesia.

High import duties impact domestic rubber pricing and availability.

Conclusion

Businesses need to learn GST rates together with HSN codes for rubber products to fulfil tax requirements and control expenses effectively. Businesses need to correctly categorize their products according to GST rates between 5% and 28% to prevent any tax-related issues. Proper GST compliance implementation allows rubber industry enterprises to maximize their tax expenditures and satisfy all existing government rules.

Click Here to have extensive knowledge about the Types of Industries in India.

FAQs

1. What procedure can I use to select the correct HSN code for my rubber product?

The HSN Chapter 40 consists of three rubber subcategories, which list natural rubber at 4001, while synthetic rubber is found at 4002, and rubber articles exist between 4003 and 4015.

2. Why does the GST rate for rubber tires differ from other rubber products?

The GST highest rate of 28% applies to new pneumatic tires classified under HSN code 4011 because of their critical role in automotive applications, yet other rubber items fall into tax categories ranging from 5 to 18 or 28 percent based on their industrial usage.

3. Can businesses claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on rubber products?

Businesses within GST registration can obtain Input Tax Credit for their rubber product purchases if they maintain valid invoices and fulfil GST documentation standards.

4. What are the challenges businesses face regarding GST compliance on rubber products?

The business community encounters three major GST implementation difficulties through frequent rate adjustments and complex HSN coding systems, and digital compliance standards.

5. Are there any GST exemptions for rubber products used in the healthcare sector?

Healthcare businesses can access medical gloves and catheters as well as other hygienic and pharmaceutical rubber products (HSN 4014) at the lower GST rate of 12% because the government wants to promote sector accessibility.

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