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- Updated on : September 19, 2025
HSN Chapter 16: Prepared Meat, Fish & Seafood Products Classification & GST India
HSN Code & GST Rate for Fish, Fish Products & Seafood - Chapter 16
HSN Chapter 16 underwent a dramatic transformation in the September 2025 GST reforms, with ALL prepared meat, fish, and seafood products moving from 12% to a revolutionary uniform 5% GST rate. This historic change significantly benefits food processing industries, restaurants, hotels, and consumers by reducing costs across sausages, preserved meat, fish products, caviar, and all seafood preparations.
Key Classification Factors for Prepared Meat & Seafood GST Rates
- Uniform Rate Structure: Single 5% GST across ALL Chapter 16 products
- No Product Distinction: Same rate for basic sausages and premium caviar
- Complete Simplification: No distinction between meat, fish, or seafood preparations
- Industry-Wide Benefit: Major cost reduction for food processing and hospitality sectors
Complete HSN Code Table: Prepared Meat, Fish & Seafood Products (Chapter 16)
| GST Rate | Product Description | HSN Code | Key Import/Export HSN Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | Sausages and similar products, of meat, meat offal, blood or insects; food preparations based on these products | 1601 | 16010000 |
| 5% | Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal, blood or insects | 1602 | 16021000, 16022000, 16023100, 16023200, 16023900, 16024100, 16024200 |
| 5% | Extracts and juices of meat, fish or crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates | 1603 | 16030010, 16030020, 16030090 |
| 5% | Prepared or preserved fish; caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs | 1604 | 16041100, 16041210, 16041290, 16041310, 16041320, 16041410 |
| 5% | Crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates prepared or preserved | 1605 | 16051000, 16052100, 16052900, 16053000, 16054000, 16055100 |
🐟 Revolutionary September 2025 GST Transformation for Food Processing:
- Historic Rate Reduction: ALL Chapter 16 products reduced from 12% to 5% GST - massive 7 percentage point benefit
- Industry-Wide Relief: Food processing companies save significantly on input costs and final product pricing
- Restaurant & Hotel Benefits: Major cost reduction for hospitality sector using prepared meat and seafood
- Consumer Affordability: Lower prices for processed meat products, canned fish, and seafood preparations
- Export Competitiveness: Indian food processing industry gains significant cost advantage in global markets
- Complete Uniformity: No rate distinction between different preparation methods or product types
- Compliance Simplification: Single rate eliminates classification disputes and reduces administrative burden
- Premium Product Access: Even luxury items like caviar now more affordable at 5% GST
- GST 2.0 Success: Chapter 16 exemplifies the new simplified GST structure with maximum industry benefit
🥩 Universal 5% GST Rate Examples:
🌭 Processed Meat Products (All at 5%):
- Sausages (HSN 1601): 5% GST - all types including chicken, mutton, pork sausages
- Canned Meat (HSN 1602): 5% GST - preserved beef, chicken, mutton preparations
- Meat Extracts (HSN 1603): 5% GST - meat juices, broths, and flavor extracts
🐟 Fish & Seafood Products (All at 5%):
- Canned Fish (HSN 1604): 5% GST - tuna, sardines, salmon, mackerel preparations
- Caviar (HSN 1604): 5% GST - premium fish roe and caviar substitutes
- Prepared Seafood (HSN 1605): 5% GST - canned prawns, crab meat, lobster preparations
- Fish Extracts (HSN 1603): 5% GST - fish sauce, seafood broths, marine extracts
🏨 Industry Applications:
- Food Processing: Major input cost reduction for manufacturers
- Restaurants & Hotels: Lower ingredient costs for prepared dishes
- Retail & Supermarkets: More competitive pricing for consumers
- Export Industry: Enhanced global competitiveness
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the GST rates for all prepared meat, fish, and seafood products in India after September 2025?
All prepared meat, fish, and seafood products under HSN Chapter 16 now attract a uniform 5% GST rate (2.5% CGST + 2.5% SGST) as per the September 2025 GST reforms. This includes sausages, preserved meat, fish extracts, prepared fish, caviar, and seafood - creating complete uniformity across the chapter.
Which HSN codes are covered under the new uniform 5% GST rate for Chapter 16?
All HSN codes from 1601 to 1605 now attract 5% GST: sausages and similar products (1601), other prepared meat (1602), meat/fish extracts (1603), prepared fish and caviar (1604), and prepared crustaceans and seafood (1605).
What was the major change in Chapter 16 GST rates in September 2025?
The September 2025 reforms brought revolutionary changes to Chapter 16 - ALL products moved from the previous 12% GST rate to a uniform 5% GST rate. This massive 7 percentage point reduction benefits food processing companies, restaurants, and consumers while simplifying compliance.
How does the uniform 5% rate affect different types of prepared meat and seafood?
The uniform 5% GST rate applies equally to all prepared meat and seafood - from basic sausages to premium caviar and specialty seafood preparations. This eliminates previous rate variations and creates a single, simplified tax structure for the entire food processing industry.
Are there any exceptions to the 5% GST rate in Chapter 16?
No, there are no exceptions. The September 2025 GST notification (Schedule I) specifically lists all HSN codes from 1601 to 1605 at the uniform 2.5% CGST rate (5% total GST). This creates complete uniformity across all prepared meat, fish, and seafood products.
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Disclaimer
The GST Rate & HSN codes and rates have been arranged as per the best of authors understanding and are subject to periodic updates as per the law for the time being in force. It does not constitute professional advice or a formal recommendation. While due care has been taken in preparing this content, the existence of mistakes and omissions herein is not ruled out. DisyTax will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any inaccurate or incomplete information in this document.