HS Codes for Common India–Korea Shipments (2026): Full List by Product Category With Duty Notes
The HS code on your invoice decides the duty rate, the CEPA eligibility and whether customs flags your parcel. Here is a practical, category-wise list of the codes we file most often on India–Korea shipments, with the compliance notes that matter.
Key takeaways
- Use the correct 6-digit HS heading on every invoice; India extends it to 8 digits (ITC-HS) and Korea to 10 (HSK) — the first six must match on the invoice and the CEPA Certificate of Origin.
- Misclassification is the top cause of customs holds and duty re-assessment on this corridor — when unsure, ask us before dispatch.
- Most Indian export lines drop from 8–13% to 0–5% Korean duty under CEPA; most Korean-origin imports into India drop from 10–20% BCD to 0–10%.
- Cosmetics (3304), toys (9503), electronics (85xx) and food (19xx–21xx) carry extra compliance (MFDS/KC in Korea; CDSCO/BIS/FSSAI in India) tied to the code.
Quick answer
HS (Harmonized System) codes are the 6-digit international product codes customs use to set duty and compliance rules. Below is a category-wise list of the codes most often used on India–South Korea courier and cargo shipments, with duty notes. Put the right code on your invoice and Certificate of Origin, and ShipKorea.in files it identically in India (8-digit ITC-HS) and Korea (10-digit HSK) to avoid re-assessment.
Food, spices, tea and rice (India → Korea)
0904.11 black pepper whole · 0904.12 pepper ground · 0904.21/22 dried chilli whole/ground · 0906.11 cinnamon · 0908.31 cardamom · 0909.31 cumin · 0909.21 coriander · 0910.30 turmeric · 0910.91 mixed spices/garam masala · 0910.99 other spices · 0902.30 black tea ≤3 kg packs · 0902.40 black tea bulk · 2101.20 tea extracts/chai premix · 1006.30 semi-milled/wholly milled rice (basmati) · 1904.90 rice preparations · 1902.30 instant noodles · 1905.90 biscuits/namkeen · 2008.99 packaged sweets/fruit preps · 2103.90 sauces, chutneys, pickles · 2106.90 food preparations/supplements · 1704.90 sugar confectionery · 0713 pulses/dal. Korean MFN duty ~8% on spices, higher on tea and rice (protected; rice via quota); MFDS import declaration on all food.
Textiles, garments and home textiles
5208/5209 woven cotton fabric · 5407 woven synthetic fabric · 5205 cotton yarn · 5810 embroidery · 6104/6204 women's dresses, suits, kurtas (knit/woven) · 6105/6205 men's shirts · 6109 T-shirts · 6110 sweaters · 6111/6209 babies' garments (KC required) · 6114/6211 other garments incl. kurta sets · 6214 shawls, scarves, dupattas · 6302 bed linen, table linen · 6304 cushion covers, quilts, wall hangings · 5701/5702 carpets, dhurries · 6305 jute bags. Korea MFN 8–13%; CEPA reductions with Textile Committee CoO.
Leather, footwear, handicrafts and home décor
4202.21/22 handbags leather/textile · 4202.31/32 wallets · 4203 leather belts, gloves · 6403 leather footwear · 6404 textile-upper footwear (juttis) · 4420 wooden boxes, carved ornaments · 4419 wooden tableware · 7418 copper/brass tableware · 8306 brass statues, ornaments · 6912/6913 ceramic tableware/blue pottery · 9403 wooden furniture · 9405 lamps, lanterns · 3307.41 agarbatti/incense · 3401 handmade soap · 9601/9602 bone/horn/resin carvings (check wildlife rules) · 7117 imitation jewellery · 7113 precious-metal jewellery. Korea MFN ~8% (13% footwear); wood may need phytosanitary/fumigation.
Cosmetics, Ayurveda and personal care (both directions)
3304.99 skincare creams, serums, sunscreens, sheet masks · 3304.10 lip products · 3304.20 eye make-up · 3304.30 nail products · 3304.91 powders · 3305.10 shampoo · 3305.90 hair oils, conditioners · 3306 toothpaste · 3307.10 shaving preps · 3307.90 other toiletries · 3303 perfumes (DG if alcohol-based) · 3301 essential oils · 3004.90 Ayurvedic medicaments (MFDS approval in Korea) · 2106.90 herbal supplements. Into Korea: MFDS notification by responsible seller, ~8% MFN. Into India: CDSCO registration for commercial import, BCD 10–20% (CEPA 0–10%), 18% GST on most cosmetics (5% on shampoo, soap and toothpaste since Sept 2025).
Electronics, phones, batteries and accessories
8517.13 smartphones · 8517.14 other mobile phones · 8471.30 laptops/tablets · 8471.60 keyboards, mice · 8471.70 storage drives · 8507.60 lithium-ion batteries and power banks (DG UN3480/3481) · 8504.40 chargers/adapters (BIS CRS in India) · 8518.30 headphones/earbuds · 8528.72 TVs/monitors · 8542 integrated circuits · 8541 diodes, LEDs · 8544.42 cables · 9006/8525.89 cameras · 8543.70 other electronic devices · 9504.50 gaming consoles. Korea: KC safety/EMC for retail; India: BIS CRS, WPC ETA for wireless, 15–20% BCD on phones, 0% on laptops/ICs, 18% IGST.
K-pop merchandise, books, stationery and toys (Korea → India)
8523.49 optical media/CD albums · 4911.91 photocards, posters, photobooks · 4901 printed books · 4820 notebooks, planners, diaries · 9608 pens · 3926.10 plastic stationery, deco tape · 9503.00 toys, figures, plushies (BIS mandatory in India, 70% BCD) · 6307.90 towels, slogan banners · 6505 caps · 6109 T-shirts · 4202.92 pouches · 8513 lightsticks with batteries (DG) · 9505 festive articles · 4909 greeting cards. Personal-use gifts under ₹5,000 CIF are duty-free in India; commercial lots need IEC.
Automotive, engineering and industrial
8708.29 body parts · 8708.30 brake parts (KC in Korea) · 8708.40 gearboxes · 8708.50 axles · 8708.70 wheels · 8708.99 other parts · 8409.91 engine parts · 8413 pumps · 8421.23/31 oil/air filters · 8482 bearings · 8511 ignition/starter parts · 8544.30 wiring harness · 7318 fasteners · 7325/7326 castings, forgings · 4016.93 rubber gaskets · 8481 valves · 8501 electric motors. Korea MFN 0–8% (CEPA often 0%); India BCD 7.5–15% (CEPA reduced) + 18% IGST.
Documents, gifts and personal effects
4911.99 printed documents (no commercial value — declare nominal value) · 4907 passports/certificates (documents) · 9804 personal effects (India, unaccompanied baggage) · 9803 (Korea) passenger baggage · 6309 used clothing (restricted for commercial import in India). For documents to Korea and household items we file the right heading for you.
How to classify correctly
1) Identify what the product is, not what it is for (a turmeric face pack is cosmetics 3304, not spice 0910). 2) Find the 4-digit heading, then the 6-digit subheading in the WCO nomenclature. 3) Check the Indian 8-digit ITC-HS and Korean 10-digit HSK on the Korea Customs Service tariff portal for duty and CEPA staging. 4) Use the same 6 digits on invoice, packing list and Certificate of Origin. 5) For mixed kits, classify by the component giving essential character or split lines. When in doubt, WhatsApp us the product photo and description — we classify before pickup. Related: how customs works for India–Korea, import duty in South Korea.
