SankalpMetal bottle caps in India are classified under HS heading 8309, which covers “stoppers, caps and lids (including crown corks, screw caps and pouring stoppers), capsules for bottles, and other packing accessories, of base metal.” Aluminium ROPP caps sit here. This heading is used for import and export declarations and feeds the GST classification. Always confirm the current rate on the official portal, because rates change.
What HS heading 8309 covers
The Harmonized System (HS) is the international framework for classifying traded goods, and India uses it through the ITC-HS schedule. Heading 8309 groups the metal closures used to seal bottles and containers. It includes crown corks, screw caps, ROPP caps and pouring stoppers made of base metal such as aluminium or steel.
Because the aluminium ROPP cap is a base-metal closure, it falls in this heading rather than under plastics. Plastic caps are classified elsewhere (under the plastics chapter), so the material decides the heading.
How the code is structured
An HS-based code is read left to right, with each pair of digits narrowing the classification:
| Level | Digits | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | 83 | Miscellaneous articles of base metal |
| Heading | 8309 | Stoppers, caps and lids of base metal |
| Subheading | 8309 90 | Other (beyond crown corks) |
| National tariff | 8-digit ITC-HS | India-specific line item |
The first two digits are the chapter, the next two complete the four-digit heading, and further pairs give the subheading and the eight-digit national tariff line. For a precise classification of a specific cap, work down to the full eight-digit ITC-HS code on the official schedule rather than stopping at the heading.
How the code is used for import and export
The HS code is the anchor of a customs declaration. On import, it determines the applicable duty and the IGST charged at the border; on export, it identifies the goods for shipping documents, drawback and any incentive scheme. Getting it right matters because a wrong code can mean the wrong duty, held shipments or a compliance query. Buyers comparing imported and Indian caps should note that the landed cost of an import includes the duty tied to this code.
How GST classification works
Under GST, the rate for a good is tied to its HS classification through the rate notifications. So the HS heading that describes your cap points you to its GST rate. Because GST rates are set by notification and are revised from time to time, the safe practice is to look up the current rate for your exact eight-digit code on the CBIC or GST portal at the time of your transaction rather than relying on a figure quoted in an article. Treat any rate you read here as directional and confirm it against the portal.
If you are invoicing or filing, your tax advisor or the GST portal is the authority; this guide is background, not legal advice.
A practical note for buyers and sellers
For a manufacturer like R Vision, which makes aluminium ROPP closures (Aqua Cap and Bev Cap) in Sinnar (Nashik), Maharashtra, the base-metal cap heading is the starting point for classification. If you are buying, ask the supplier for the exact HS code they invoice under and confirm the GST rate on the portal so your purchase order and books line up. If you are importing, match the code on your bill of entry to the same heading to avoid a classification dispute. On the commercial side of the same purchase order, what drives ROPP cap prices in India explains how the pre-tax number is built, how to choose a ROPP cap manufacturer in India covers what to confirm before ordering, and bottle cap manufacturing in India maps who makes what. The closure guides are indexed on the Learn hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for bottle caps in India?
Metal bottle caps, including aluminium ROPP caps and crown corks, fall under HS heading 8309, which covers stoppers, caps and lids of base metal. For a precise classification you work down to the full eight-digit ITC-HS code for your specific cap. Plastic caps are classified separately under the plastics chapter.
Is the HS code the same for aluminium and plastic caps?
No. The material decides the heading. Aluminium and other base-metal caps sit under heading 8309, while plastic caps are classified under the plastics chapter. Confirm your product’s material before assigning a code.
What GST rate applies to bottle caps?
GST is tied to the HS classification through rate notifications, and those rates are revised from time to time. Rather than rely on a fixed figure, look up the current rate for your exact eight-digit code on the CBIC or GST portal at the time of your transaction. This guide is directional background, not tax advice.
Why does the HS code matter for importing caps?
The HS code determines the customs duty and IGST charged at the border and identifies the goods on shipping documents. A wrong code can mean the wrong duty, held shipments or a compliance query. Matching the code correctly on your bill of entry keeps the import clean and the landed cost accurate.
To discuss aluminium ROPP closures and the details for your purchase order, see the Aqua Cap and Bev Cap pages or contact us.