HSN Chapter 56: Wadding, Felt, Nonwovens & Technical Textiles GST Rates 2026
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Uniform 5% GST for Complete Technical Textile Value Chain:
GST 2.0 has brought comprehensive relief to the technical textiles and specialty products sector under Chapter 56. All products including wadding, felt, nonwovens, geotextiles, ropes, twine, and specialty yarns now attract a uniform 5% GST rate, down from the previous mixed structure of 12-18%, making India's technical textile industry globally competitive.
Major Benefits in Chapter 56:
- 🏥 Medical Wadding: Cotton wool, absorbent cotton at 5% (was 12%)
- 🏗️ Nonwovens & Geotextiles: Industrial textiles at 5% (was 12-18%)
- 🎯 Felt Products: Industrial & craft felt at 5%
- 🪢 Ropes & Twine: Uniform 5% across all types
- 🧵 Specialty Yarns: Metallised, chenille, gimped yarn at 5%
- 🌍 Export Competitiveness: Low GST boosts global market share
HSN Chapter 56 encompasses wadding and articles thereof (cotton wool, absorbent cotton), felt fabrics, nonwoven fabrics (including geotextiles), specialty yarns (metallised, chenille, gimped), and cordage products (twine, ropes, cables, netting). These technical textiles serve critical roles in medical, construction, automotive, agriculture, filtration, and industrial applications.
Under GST 2.0 effective September 22, 2025 and continuing through 2026, the government has implemented a strategic uniform 5% GST across Chapter 56 products, eliminating the previous complex structure where different products were taxed at 5%, 12%, or 18%. This simplification supports India's ambitious ₹3 lakh crore technical textiles mission while making essential medical supplies more affordable.
⚙️ GST 2026 Rate Structure for Chapter 56
🎯 UNIFORM 5% GST: Complete Chapter 56 Simplified!
All products under HSN Chapter 56 now attract only 5% GST:
- 🔵 5% GST: Wadding & cotton wool (HSN 5601) - Previously 12%
- 🔵 5% GST: Felt fabrics (HSN 5602) - Previously 12%
- 🔵 5% GST: Nonwovens & geotextiles (HSN 5603) - Previously 12-18%
- 🔵 5% GST: Rubber/textile thread (HSN 5604) - Previously 18%
- 🔵 5% GST: Specialty yarns (HSN 5605-5606) - Previously 18%
- 🔵 5% GST: Twine, ropes, cables (HSN 5607) - Previously 12%
- 🔵 5% GST: Netting & fishing nets (HSN 5608-5609) - Previously 12%
📊 Why This Matters for Technical Textiles:
- ✅ Medical Affordability: Cotton wool, bandages cheaper for healthcare
- ✅ Infrastructure Growth: Geotextiles more viable for construction projects
- ✅ Agri Support: Ropes, twine, netting affordable for farmers
- ✅ Export Push: Indian technical textiles globally competitive
- ✅ Industry Growth: Supports ₹3L cr technical textile mission
🏥 Wadding & Cotton Wool (HSN 5601)
Medical & Hygiene Products - Now 5% ↓ FROM 12%
Essential medical supplies including absorbent cotton wool, sanitary napkins (wadding-based), and textile flock have been reduced from 12% to 5% GST, making healthcare more affordable.
HSN 5601 - Wadding of Textile Materials & Articles
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5601 10 | Sanitary napkins, tampons & similar hygiene articles | 5% | 12% | Women's hygiene products |
| 5601 21 | Cotton wool, absorbent cotton (medical grade) | 5% | 12% | Hospitals, first-aid |
| 5601 22 | Wadding; other articles of cotton wadding | 5% | 12% | Padding, cushioning |
| 5601 29 | Wadding & articles of other textile materials | 5% | 12% | Synthetic wadding products |
| 5601 30 | Textile flock, dust & mill neps | 5% | 12% | Flocking, decorative textiles |
🎯 Felt Fabrics (HSN 5602)
Industrial & Craft Felt - Uniform 5% GST
Felt fabrics used in industrial applications, automotive parts, crafts, and technical products now enjoy reduced 5% GST taxation, supporting diverse manufacturing sectors.
HSN 5602 - Felt (Needleloom, Stitchbonded)
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5602 10 | Needleloom felt & stitch-bonded fibre fabrics | 5% | 12% | Industrial felt, automotive |
| 5602 21 | Other felt, not impregnated/coated - Of wool/fine animal hair | 5% | 12% | Craft felt, fashion |
| 5602 29 | Other felt, not impregnated - Of other textile materials | 5% | 12% | Synthetic felt products |
| 5602 90 | Other felt (impregnated, coated, covered, laminated) | 5% | 12% | Industrial/technical felt |
🏗️ Nonwovens & Geotextiles (HSN 5603)
🎉 MASSIVE RELIEF for Technical Textiles ↓ FROM 12-18%
Nonwoven fabrics and geotextiles - the backbone of India's infrastructure, medical, and hygiene sectors - have been uniformly reduced to 5% GST. This includes PP spunbond, SMS fabrics, surgical masks, geotextiles, and filtration media previously taxed at 12-18%.
HSN 5603 - Nonwovens (PP, PET, Technical Textiles)
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5603 11 | Nonwovens ≤25 g/m², man-made filaments | 5% | 12% | Lightweight medical fabrics |
| 5603 12 | Nonwovens >25 but ≤70 g/m² | 5% | 12% | Surgical masks, wipes |
| 5603 13 | Nonwovens >70 but ≤150 g/m² | 5% | 12% | Hygiene products, diapers |
| 5603 14 | Nonwovens >150 g/m² | 5% | 12% | Geotextiles, heavy industrial |
| 5603 91-94 | Nonwovens of other materials (all weights) | 5% | 12% | Cotton, natural fiber nonwovens |
🏗️ Geotextile Applications (HSN 5603 - Heavy Grade):
- Road construction & soil stabilization
- Railway track reinforcement
- Drainage & filtration systems
- Erosion control & landscaping
- Landfill liners & environmental protection
🧵 Rubber/Textile Thread & Specialty Yarns (HSN 5604-5606)
HSN 5604 - Rubber Thread & Cord, Textile Covered
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5604 10 | Rubber thread & cord, textile covered | 5% | 18% | Elastic waistbands, garments |
| 5604 90 | Textile covered yarns; strip & the like | 5% | 18% | Specialty textiles |
HSN 5605 - Metallised Yarn
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5605 00 | Metallised yarn (textile with metal thread/strip) | 5% | 18% | Embroidery, decorative textiles |
HSN 5606 - Gimped Yarn, Chenille, Loop Wale Yarn
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5606 00 | Gimped yarn, chenille, loop wale yarn | 5% | 18% | Decorative textiles, fashion |
🪢 Twine, Cordage, Ropes & Cables (HSN 5607)
Agricultural & Industrial Rope Products - 5% Uniform Rate
All ropes, twine, and cordage products regardless of material (jute, coir, PP, nylon) now attract uniform 5% GST, supporting agriculture, fishing, logistics, and construction sectors.
HSN 5607 - Twine, Cordage, Ropes & Cables
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Material & Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5607 21 | Binder/baler twine (sisal/agave) | 5% | 12% | Agricultural harvesting |
| 5607 29 | Other twine/cordage (sisal/agave) | 5% | 12% | Packing, bundling |
| 5607 41 | Binder/baler twine (polyethylene/polypropylene) | 5% | 12% | Modern agriculture |
| 5607 49 | Other twine/cordage (PE/PP) | 5% | 12% | Industrial packaging |
| 5607 50 | Twine/cordage of other synthetic fibres | 5% | 12% | Nylon rope, technical use |
| 5607 90 | Twine/ropes of other materials (jute, coir, cotton) | 5% | 5% | Natural fiber ropes |
🌾 Note: Special Rates for Natural Fiber Ropes
While most ropes are at 5% GST:
- Coir ropes: May qualify for 0% under specific coir exemptions (Chapter 53)
- Jute twine: Previously had special 5% rate, now uniform 5%
- PP/Nylon ropes: Now 5% (reduced from 12%)
🎣 Netting & Fishing Nets (HSN 5608-5609)
HSN 5608 - Knotted Netting & Made-up Fishing Nets
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5608 11 | Made-up fishing nets (man-made textiles) | 5% | 12% | Commercial fishing |
| 5608 19 | Other knotted netting (man-made materials) | 5% | 12% | Sports, safety nets |
| 5608 90 | Knotted netting of other textiles | 5% | 5% | Agricultural, construction |
HSN 5609 - Articles of Yarn, Strip, Twine, Cordage
| HSN Code | Description | GST 2026 Rate | Previous Rate | Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5609 00 | Articles of yarn/strip/twine (ropes assembled products) | 5% | 12% | Hammocks, cargo nets, rope ladders |
🧮 GST 2026 Calculator for Chapter 56 Items
Technical Textiles GST Calculator - 2026 Uniform 5% Rate
Calculate GST for wadding, felt, nonwovens, ropes & specialty textiles:
CGST = (Product Value × 5%) ÷ 2 = Product Value × 2.5%
SGST = (Product Value × 5%) ÷ 2 = Product Value × 2.5%
Total GST = CGST + SGST = Product Value × 5%
Final Amount = Product Value + Total GST
📋 GST 2026 Compliance Points for Chapter 56
🏥 Medical & Hygiene Sector
- Cotton wool at 5% (was 12%)
- Sanitary napkins wadding reduced
- Surgical masks/PPE nonwovens at 5%
- Lower healthcare costs
- Affordable first-aid supplies
🏗️ Construction & Infrastructure
- Geotextiles at 5% (was 12-18%)
- Road/railway reinforcement affordable
- Drainage systems cost-effective
- Soil stabilization projects viable
- Infrastructure mission support
🌾 Agriculture & Fishing
- Ropes & twine at uniform 5%
- Fishing nets reduced to 5%
- Baler twine more affordable
- Agricultural netting cheaper
- Farmer input cost reduction
🏭 Technical Textile Manufacturers
- Nonwovens at 5% boosts production
- Felt products competitive
- Specialty yarns affordable
- Export competitiveness improved
- ₹3L cr mission support
🎯 GST 2026 Sector Impact Analysis
Technical Textiles Industry Benefits
- 🏥 Healthcare Affordability: Medical wadding/cotton wool 7% cheaper
- 🏗️ Infrastructure Boost: Geotextiles save 7-13% on projects
- 🌾 Farmer Relief: Ropes, twine, netting more affordable
- 🎣 Fishing Sector: Net costs reduced, supporting coastal livelihoods
- 📈 Export Growth: Competitive pricing in global technical textile markets
- 🇮🇳 Mission Support: Aligns with India's ₹3 lakh crore technical textiles goal
Strategic Advantages
- 🌍 Global Competitiveness: Indian nonwovens match international prices
- ♻️ Sustainability: Encourages eco-friendly geotextiles use
- 🔬 Innovation: Lower tax burden promotes R&D in technical textiles
- 🏭 Manufacturing Growth: Supports domestic production expansion
- 💼 Employment: Labor-intensive sector benefits from growth
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - HSN Chapter 56
Answer: Cotton wool and absorbent cotton (HSN 5601 21) now attract 5% GST (reduced from 12%).
This benefits:
- Hospitals and clinics purchasing medical supplies
- Pharmacies selling first-aid products
- Consumers buying wound care items
The 7 percentage point reduction makes essential medical supplies significantly more affordable.
Answer: Yes! Under GST 2.0 effective September 22, 2025, ALL products under HSN Chapter 56 attract uniform 5% GST:
- Wadding & cotton wool - 5% (was 12%)
- Felt fabrics - 5% (was 12%)
- Nonwovens & geotextiles - 5% (was 12-18%)
- Specialty yarns - 5% (was 18%)
- Ropes, twine, cables - 5% (was 12%)
- Netting & fishing nets - 5% (was 12%)
Answer: All nonwoven fabrics including geotextiles (HSN 5603) now attract 5% GST regardless of weight or composition.
This includes:
- PP spunbond nonwovens
- SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) fabrics
- Geotextiles for construction
- Filtration media
- Hygiene product substrates
Previously taxed at 12-18%, this is a major relief for infrastructure and technical textile sectors.
Answer: Yes! All ropes, twine, cordage, and fishing nets under Chapter 56 now attract uniform 5% GST:
- Fishing nets (HSN 5608): 5% (was 12%)
- PP/Nylon ropes (HSN 5607): 5% (was 12%)
- Baler twine (HSN 5607): 5% (was 12%)
- Jute/Coir ropes: Already at 5% (maintained)
This supports farmers, fishermen, and logistics sectors with lower input costs.
Answer: Sanitary napkins and tampons (HSN 5601 10) attract 5% GST (reduced from 12%).
Important Note: This is for wadding-based sanitary products. Finished sanitary napkins may be classified differently under Chapter 96 depending on construction.
Answer: Yes, registered businesses can claim Input Tax Credit on 5% GST paid on geotextiles when:
- ✅ Used in taxable construction/infrastructure projects
- ✅ Proper GST invoices maintained
- ✅ Business is registered and GST-compliant
ITC availability depends on the nature of the final project (taxable vs. exempt).
Answer: All specialty yarns now attract 5% GST (reduced from 18%):
- Metallised yarn (HSN 5605): 5%
- Gimped yarn (HSN 5606): 5%
- Chenille yarn: 5%
- Rubber-textile thread (HSN 5604): 5%
This benefits embroidery, fashion, and decorative textile industries with 13-point tax reduction.
Answer: Yes! All felt fabrics (HSN 5602) including industrial, automotive, and craft felt attract 5% GST (reduced from 12%).
This includes:
- Needleloom felt for industrial use
- Wool felt for crafts and fashion
- Impregnated/coated felt for technical applications
- Automotive felt for insulation and damping
Answer: The uniform 5% GST on Chapter 56 directly supports the government's ₹3 lakh crore technical textiles mission by:
- Making domestic technical textiles globally competitive
- Reducing production costs for manufacturers
- Encouraging adoption in infrastructure projects
- Supporting medical and hygiene product affordability
- Attracting investment in nonwovens and geotextiles
Answer: The uniform 5% GST rate for all Chapter 56 products became effective from September 22, 2025 under GST 2.0 reforms.
All transactions from this date onwards attract the new reduced rates, continuing through 2026 and beyond.
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