HSN Code
HSN Code 2106 — Food Preparations Not Elsewhere Specified
HSN heading 2106 is a catch-all for edible preparations without a more specific food heading — a broad category, not a single product type.
2106 exists precisely because the tariff can't list every possible food product by name — it's the heading edible preparations fall into when they don't fit chocolate (1806), bakery goods (1905), fruit/vegetable preparations (20), or another dedicated food heading. That makes it one of the broadest and most heterogeneous 4-digit headings in the whole classification.
Because the heading spans such different products — protein/nutrition supplement mixes, flavoured syrups and concentrates, ready-to-eat food mixes, and other miscellaneous edible items — the GST rate genuinely varies a lot at the 8-digit level within this single heading, more so than for most other goods.
This is one of the strongest examples of why this tool never quotes a rate against a 4-digit code: two products both correctly classified under 2106 can carry very different GST rates depending on exactly what they are. Match your specific product's description on the GST portal rather than assuming a rate from the heading alone.
What's included
- Protein concentrates and nutrition/supplement mixes
- Flavoured or sweetened syrups and concentrates for beverages
- Ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook food mixes without a more specific heading
- Other miscellaneous edible preparations
Commonly confused — classified elsewhere
- Chocolate and cocoa-based preparations — 1806
- Bread, biscuits, and other bakery products — 1905
- Fruit and vegetable juices and preparations — 20 (e.g. 2009)
Confirm the exact digit-level code and GST rate
- Go to the GST portal's HSN/SAC search page and pick the "HSN Code" tab.
- Search using "2106" or the description above.
- Match your exact product or service to its precise 6–8 digit line.
- Check the GST rate shown there — it's tied to the exact line, not the 4-digit heading, and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 2106 such a broad category compared to other food headings?
It's a catch-all — anything edible that doesn't have its own dedicated heading elsewhere in the food chapters lands here, which is why it spans everything from protein powders to flavoured syrups.
Do all products under 2106 carry the same GST rate?
No — the rate is determined at a more specific level than the 4-digit heading and can vary considerably between different products classified within 2106. Check the GST portal for your specific product's exact line and rate.
How do I know if my food product belongs under 2106 or a more specific heading?
First check whether a more specific heading exists for your product elsewhere in Chapters 16–22 (meat/fish preparations, dairy, sugar, cocoa, cereals, vegetables/fruit, beverages). Only if none fits should you classify it under 2106's catch-all category — confirm on the GST portal if you're unsure.