HSN Code 90 – Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring,…

What is HSN Code 90?

HSN code 90 is the Harmonized System of Nomenclature classification for Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or… under India's Goods and Services Tax (GST). It is a 2-digit code sitting at the chapter (2-digit) level of the HSN hierarchy.

This code belongs to Chapter 90 — Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking,…, which is part of Section XVIII: Optical, Medical & Precision Instruments. Every GST-registered business supplying optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or… must quote HSN 90 (or the digit-length required for its turnover) on tax invoices and in GSTR-1.

Classification breakdown of 90

Level	Code	Description
Chapter	90	optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof

GST rate for HSN 90

Goods under HSN 90 attract GST at one of the five standard slabs. The exact rate depends on the specific product and the latest GST Council notification — always confirm before invoicing.

Nil / Exempt

Fresh produce, milk, cereals, books

Merit rate

Essentials, packaged food, transport

12%

Standard-low

Processed food, mobiles, apparel > ₹1,000

18%

Standard

Most goods, electronics, services

28%

Demerit / luxury

Cars, cement, aerated drinks, tobacco

Find the exact GST rate for Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or… →

Sub-codes under this classification

HSN Code	Description
9001	optical fibres and optical fibre bundles, optical fibre cables other than those of heading 8544, sheets and plates of polarising material, lenses (including contact lenses), prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, of any material, unmounted, other than such elements of glass not optically worked.
9002	lenses, prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, of any material, mounted, being parts of or fittings for instruments or apparatus,other than such elements of glass optically worked not
9003	frames and mountings for spectacles, goggles or the like, and parts thereof
9004	spectacles, goggles and the like, corrective, protective or other
9005	binoculars, monoculars, other optical telescopes, and mountings therefor; other astronomical instruments and mountings therefor, but not including instruments for radio-astronomy
9006	photographic (other than cinematographic cameras, photographic flashlight apparatus and flash bulbs other than discharge lamps of heading 8538
9007	cinematographic cameras and projectors, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus
9008	image projectors, other than cinematographic; photographic (other than cinematographic) enlargers and reducers
9009	omitted
9010	apparatus and equipment for photographic (including cinematographic) laboratories not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; negatoscopes; projection screens
9011	compound optical microscopes, including those for photomicro-graphy, cinephotomicrography or microprojection
9012	microscopes other than optical microscopes; diffraction apparatus
9013	lasers, other than laser diodes; other optical appliances and instruments, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter
9014	direction finding compasses; other navigational instruments and appliances
9015	surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses; rangefinders
9016	balances of a sensitivity of 5 cg or better, with or without weights
9017	drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments (for example, drafting machines, pantographs, protractors, drawing sets, slide rules, disc calculators); instruments for measuring length, for use in the hand (for example, measuring rods and tapes, micrometers, callipers), not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter
9018	instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scientigraphic apparatus, other electromedical apparatus and sight-testing instruments
9019	mechano-therapy appliances; massage apparatus; psychological aptitude-testing apparatus; ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus
9020	other breathing appliances and gas masks, excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts nor replaceable filters
9021	orthopaedic appliances, including crutches, surgical belts and trusses, splints and other fracture appliances, artificial parts of the body, hearing aids and other appliances which are worn or carried, or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect or disability
9022	apparatus based on the use of x-rays or of alpha, beta gamma or other ionising radiations, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, x-ray tubes and other x-ray generators, high tension generators, control panels and desks, screens, examination or treatment tables, chairs and the like
9023	instruments, apparatus and models, designed for demonstrational purposes (for example, in education or exhibitions), unsuitable for other uses
9024	machines and appliances for testing the hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials (for example, metals, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)
9025	hydrometers and similar floating instruments, thermometers, pyrometers, barometers, hygrometers and psychrometers, recording or not, and any combination of these instruments
9026	instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking the flow, level, pressure or other variables of liquids or gases (for example, flow meters, level gauges, manometers, heat meters), excluding instruments and apparatus of heading 9014, 9015, 9028 or 9032
9027	instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical analysis (for example, polarimeters, refractometers, spectrometers, gas or smoke analysis apparatus); instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or the like; instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking quantities of heat, sound or light (including exposure meters); microtomes
9028	gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters therefor
9029	revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like; speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading 9014 or 9015; stroboscopes
9030	oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers and other instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities, excluding meters of heading 9028; instruments and apparatus for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic or other ionising radiations
9031	measuring or checking instruments, appliances and machines, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; profile projectors
9032	automatic regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus
9033	parts and accessories (not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter) for machines, appliances, instruments or apparatus of chapter 90
9070	cloves (whole fruit, cloves and stems)

HSN Code 90 — FAQs

What is HSN code 90?

HSN code 90 classifies "Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or…" under India's GST regime. It falls under Chapter 90 (Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking,…) of the Harmonized System of Nomenclature.

How many digits is HSN code 90?

90 is a 2-digit HSN code — a chapter (2-digit). Businesses declare 4-digit HSN (turnover up to ₹5 crore) or 6-digit HSN (above ₹5 crore) on GST invoices; 8-digit codes are used for exports and imports.

What is the GST rate for HSN code 90?

Goods under HSN 90 are taxed at one of the GST slabs — 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% or 28% — depending on the exact product and the latest GST Council notification. Use the Laabam.One GST Rate Finder to confirm the current rate for Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or….

Which chapter does HSN code 90 belong to?

HSN 90 belongs to Chapter 90 — Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking,…, part of Section XVIII: Optical, Medical & Precision Instruments.

HSN Code 90 – Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical Or…