Guidebook on Mapping of HSN Codes unveiled by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry

On September 20, 2025, during the event commemorating “10 Years of Make in India and Discussion on Next Gen-Reforms 2.0” in New Delhi, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, unveiled the Guidebook on Mapping of Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) Codes. This landmark initiative, prepared by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), is set to play a transformative role in India’s journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

The Purpose and Vision Behind the Guidebook 

The Guidebook allocates 12,167 HSN Codes to 31 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. It aims to promote a data-driven approach to manufacturing development, investment promotion, and trade facilitation. By mapping products to their respective Ministries and Departments, the Guidebook seeks to streamline regulatory processes, enhance ease of doing business, and strengthen domestic production capacity.

Shri Piyush Goyal emphasized that this initiative is not just a classification exercise but a strategic tool to foster sectoral growth, improve trade negotiations, and align policies with national economic priorities. The Guidebook is expected to serve as a foundation for building a resilient and competitive manufacturing ecosystem, ultimately contributing to India’s industrial and economic ambitions.

Addressing Persistent Challenges 

The development of the Guidebook was driven by the need to address challenges arising from the absence of definitive mapping of HSN Codes. Unmapped codes were often misclassified as “Residual Products,” leading to unclear ownership and inefficiencies in trade negotiations, import substitution efforts, and industry redressal.

To resolve these issues, DPIIT adopted a holistic and proactive approach. The process involved:

Value-chain and use-case analysis for each of the 12,167 HSN Codes sourced from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Tariff Manual.
A thorough review of the Allocation of Business (AoB) Rules, 1961, to map HSN Codes based on the nature and end-use of products.
Extensive consultations, including inter-ministerial discussions, over 300 one-on-one meetings with Ministries and Departments, and numerous industry stakeholder engagements.

The feedback received during these consultations was systematically analyzed and incorporated to ensure the Guidebook reflects ground-level realities.

Operational Pillars of the Guidebook 

To ensure effective implementation, the Guidebook is anchored in three operational pillars:

Manufacture in India: This pillar focuses on positioning India as a global manufacturing hub by aligning sector-specific policies, strengthening value chains, and developing a skilled workforce.
Strengthen Brand India: Aimed at enhancing the global perception of the “Made in India” label, this pillar prioritizes quality enhancement and elevates the reputation of Indian products in international markets.
Make for the World: This pillar supports more effective trade negotiations, enabling Indian products to capture a greater share in global markets.

A Strategic Instrument for Economic Growth 

The Guidebook is a critical enabler for Ministries and Departments to translate policy intent into actionable outcomes. By streamlining the custodianship of products, it empowers stakeholders to adopt an outcome-oriented approach to economic growth and development. The initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing India’s manufacturing and trade-related goals, aligning policy, investment, and trade matters to create a robust and future-ready economy.

Conclusion

The Guidebook on Mapping of HSN Codes is a testament to India’s commitment to fostering industrial growth and achieving global leadership in manufacturing. As the nation progresses towards its vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, this Guidebook will serve as a catalyst for sharper policy interventions, effective trade negotiations, and the creation of a competitive manufacturing ecosystem. By addressing long-standing challenges and aligning efforts across Ministries and Departments, India is poised to convert its industrial ambitions into reality, paving the way for a prosperous and resilient future.

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Source: Ministry of Commerce & Industry

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