Free GST Rate Finder Online

What are GST Rates in India?

GST (Goods and Services Tax) rates in India are the tax percentages applied to different goods and services under the unified indirect tax system. Introduced on July 1, 2017, GST replaced multiple central and state taxes with a single tax structure across India. The rates are decided by the GST Council, which meets periodically to review and revise them.

Every product and service in India falls into one of the defined GST slabs. The rate you pay depends on the classification of the item under the HSN code (for goods) or SAC code (for services). Restaurant owners, in particular, deal with multiple GST rates daily since raw ingredients, equipment, packaging, and food services all attract different rates.

• India has four main GST slabs: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, plus an exempt category (0%)
• For intra-state sales, GST splits equally into CGST (Central) and SGST (State). For inter-state, IGST applies
• Some items attract additional cess over the 28% slab, such as aerated drinks (12% cess) and tobacco products

All GST Slabs Explained

Understanding which slab your product falls into is critical for correct invoicing. Here is a breakdown of each GST rate tier and the types of products and services that fall under them.

Restaurant owners face a unique situation where they buy ingredients at various rates (0-18%) but charge customers at 5% without being able to claim Input Tax Credit. This makes understanding supplier GST rates even more important for cost management.

GST Rate Lookup Example

Let's say you run a restaurant and want to verify the GST rates on your common purchases. Here is how different items from a typical restaurant supply list are taxed.

Notice how the GST rate increases with the level of processing. Fresh vegetables are exempt, but the moment you buy a packaged sauce made from those vegetables, it attracts 12% GST. Use the GST Calculator to compute exact tax amounts on these purchases.

Why Finding the Correct GST Rate Matters

Applying the wrong GST rate on your invoices creates a chain of problems, from compliance issues for you to ITC rejection for your buyers. Here is why getting the rate right matters for every business:

• Avoid underpayment penalties: If you charge 5% instead of 12%, you owe the difference plus 18% annual interest under Section 50 of the CGST Act
• Protect your buyer's ITC: If your invoice shows the wrong rate, your buyer's Input Tax Credit claim gets rejected during reconciliation
• Accurate pricing: Your menu prices and product prices should factor in the correct GST rate. Wrong rates mean you are either overcharging customers or absorbing tax from your margins
• Clean GST return filing: GSTR-1 requires rate-wise summary of outward supplies. Wrong rates cause mismatches during filing and late fee charges

How to Use This GST Rate Finder

This free tool helps you find the applicable GST rate for any product or service in seconds. It shows the total GST percentage, the CGST/SGST split for intra-state transactions, and the corresponding HSN/SAC code.

• Step 1: Type the product or service name in the search box (e.g., "chicken", "cleaning service", "packaged water")
• Step 2: You can also search by GST rate directly (e.g., "5%", "18%") to see all items in that slab
• Step 3: Use category filters to browse rates by Food, Equipment, Restaurant Services, Packaging, or Supplies
• Step 4: View the results showing GST rate, CGST/SGST split, item description, and HSN/SAC code

The database covers 200+ products and services commonly used by restaurants, caterers, and food businesses. For automatic GST rate application on every invoice, try Petpooja Invoice.

GST Rates for Restaurant Businesses

Restaurants operate at the intersection of multiple GST rates. You buy supplies at 0-28% GST, charge customers at 5% GST on food services, and pay 18% on most equipment and professional services. Here is the rate breakdown that matters most for restaurant owners:

• Dine-in food service: 5% GST without ITC (SAC 996331). Applies to all restaurants, both AC and non-AC, regardless of turnover
• Food delivery (Swiggy/Zomato): 5% GST collected by the platform on behalf of the restaurant
• Outdoor catering: 18% GST with ITC available. If you cater weddings, corporate events, or parties outside your premises
• 5-star hotel restaurants: 18% GST with ITC for restaurants in hotels where room tariff exceeds Rs 7,500
• Packaged takeaway food: GST rate depends on the product type, not the restaurant. Packaged snacks are 12%, bottled water is 18%, branded desserts may be 18%

The key difference between restaurant food service (5%) and packaged food (variable) is whether the item is prepared and served fresh or sold as a pre-packaged product. Use the Reverse GST Calculator if you need to extract the base price from a GST-inclusive amount.

CGST, SGST, and IGST Split Explained

When you see a GST rate of 18%, the actual tax you pay depends on whether the transaction is intra-state or inter-state. The split works as follows:

For restaurants, almost all transactions are intra-state (you serve customers in your own state), so your bills will always show CGST + SGST split. If you supply goods to another state (e.g., catering for an event in a different state), you charge IGST instead. The GST Invoice Value Calculator can help you compute exact amounts with the correct split.