HSN code 32151140 is the 8-digit tariff item for screen printing ink (black), under heading 3215 and sub-heading 321511 (Chapter 32). GST is 18%: 9% CGST + 9% SGST within a state, or 18% IGST to another state. Rates as of 2026-10-21.
HSN 32151140 at a glance
| Tariff item (8 digits) | 32151140 |
|---|---|
| Heading (4 digits) | 3215: Printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid |
| Sub-heading (6 digits) | 321511: Black |
| Chapter | 32: Tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints and varnishes; putty and other mastics; inks |
| Description | Screen printing ink (black) |
| GST rate | 18% |
| Within the state | 9% CGST + 9% SGST (or UTGST) |
| To another state | 18% IGST |
9/2025-CT(R), Schedule II, S. No. 57 (HSN 3215) covers "All Goods, including printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid, fountain pen ink, ball pen ink" at 18%.
The rate entry for this code
The description is the notification's own wording. An entry applies only when the goods match it.
| HSN scope | Description of goods | GST | CGST + SGST | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3215 | All Goods, including printing ink, writing or drawing ink and other inks, whether or not concentrated or solid, fountain pen ink, ball pen ink | 18% | 9% + 9% | 9/2025-CT(R), Schedule II, S. No. 57 |
Worked example: a ₹1,000 sale under HSN 32151140
Taxable value ₹1,000.00. Within your state: CGST ₹90.00 + SGST ₹90.00 = ₹180.00, invoice total ₹1,180.00. To a buyer in another state: IGST ₹180.00, the same total.
For other amounts, or to work back from a tax-inclusive price, use the GST calculator.
How many HSN digits to print on the invoice
Notification 78/2020-Central Tax sets the minimum by aggregate turnover in the previous financial year: up to ₹5 crore, at least 4 digits (3215) on tax invoices to registered buyers (optional on B2C invoices); above ₹5 crore, at least 6 digits (321511) on all tax invoices. Exports and imports are declared on the shipping bill or bill of entry under the full 8-digit tariff item (32151140), so most exporters print 8 digits on their GST invoices too.
The HSN-wise summary in GSTR-1 uses the same code, so set it once on the item in your billing software. FundRaksha Book stores the HSN and GST rate on each item, splits CGST, SGST and IGST on every bill, and keeps stock and party ledgers alongside.
Other tariff items under sub-heading 321511
- HSN 32151110: Lithographic ink and jelly (black) (18%)
- HSN 32151120: Newspaper ink (black) (18%)
- HSN 32151130: Rotary ink (black) (18%)
- HSN 32151190: Black: other (18%)
See every rate entry for the heading on the HSN 3215 page, or all Chapter 32 headings.
Sources
Codes and descriptions: GSTN HSN master (HSN_SAC.xlsx, sheet HSN_MSTR), GST portal, file dated 13.10.2026, read on 21.10.2026; descriptions were converted from capitals and joined with their heading and sub-heading text. Rates: Rates from Notification 9/2025-Central Tax (Rate), 17.09.2025, as amended by Notification 19/2025-Central Tax (Rate) (from 01.02.2026) and Notification 01/2026-Central Tax (Rate) (from 01.05.2026); nil-rated goods from Notification 10/2025-Central Tax (Rate); bricks from Notification 14/2025-Central Tax (Rate).