Eway bill - a bill assigned to a GST-registered person or an enrolled transporter during the movement of goods worth above Rs 50,000. Basically, it is an electronic way bill for the goods movement, that is generated on an eway bill portal. In other words, a GST-registered person is not authorized to transport goods worth exceeding Rs 50,000 without obtaining an away bill GST. 

Obtaining an e-Way bill is seamless as mentioned earlier, all you need to do is to visit the Eway bill portal. However, there is one more way to generate an eway bill, that is through SMS and site-to-site integration through API.

And to always bill generate you would need a unique Eway Bill Number (EBN) that will be allocated to a supplier, recipient, and transporter. For the movement of goods worth over Rs 50, 000 - it is mandatory to obtain a waybill as per Section 68 of the Goods and Services Tax Act read with Rule 138.  

Since it is clear, what eway bill is and how eway bill generates, let’s move to the next section to know when an eway bill is issued. 

Here you can apply for GST Registration.

When Will the E-way Bill Be Issued?

As mentioned earlier, an e-way bill will be generated during the movement of goods worth over Rs 50,000 through a vehicle or a conveyance, which is issued for the purpose of -

  • Supply of goods.
  • Reasons other than the supply of goods say the return of goods.
  • Inward supply of goods from an unregistered individual.
  • The term “supply,” which could be used under any below-mentioned consideration -
  • A supply of goods (with payment)  made under the business course.
  • A supply of goods (with payment) made which might not be under business course.
  • A supply of goods without consideration (without payment).

Since it is clear when a waybill needs to be issued, let’s understand who can generate an eway bill -

Who can generate an eway bill?

A consignor or consignee (registered person, unregistered person, and transporter), who is a registered person or a transporter of the goods is required to generate an eway bill. Thus, if you are an unregistered transporter, you can enroll yourself through login on the waybill login on an official website. 

Though, to generate a GST e-way bill there are certain prerequisites that need to be followed -

  • An individual who desires to register a GST e-way bill needs to be registered on a GST portal.
  • The concerned individual must be registered on an eWay bill portal.
  • Before the generation of an Eway bill, concerned individuals must be registered on an Eway bill portal, if not registered.
  • During the generation of an e-way bill, documents such as tax invoices or bills of sale or delivery challan and the Transporter’s ID must be available. 

Assuming it is clear when an e-way bill will be issued and who needs to generate it, including prerequisites to follow, let’s understand how to calculate the time validity for an e-way bill.

How to Calculate the Time Validity of Eway Bill? | How is a Day Determined in Eway Bill

The validity of the e-way bill depends on the distance traveled by the goods, say, to travel a distance below 100 km, the validity of the e-way bill would be 24 hours from the appropriate date. Thereafter, for every 100 km, one day will be added from the relevant date.

To understand how to calculate the time validity of an e-way bill or to determine the day of an e-way bill, let’s take an example -

  • For instance, an e-way bill is generated at 00.004 hours, dated 14th April. Accordingly, the first day will end at 12:00 midnight on 15 - 16 April, while the second day will end at 12:00 midnight on 16 - 17 April, and so on and so forth.
  • Secondly, if an e-way bill is generated at 23:58  hours on 14th April. Accordingly, the first day will end at 12:00 midnight on 15 - 16 April, while the second day will end at 12:00 midnight on 16 - 17 April, and so on and so forth.

Through example, we hope it is seamless to understand how a registered person, unregistered person, and transporter can calculate the time validity of an e-way bill. You can also refer to the table for a clearer view of the validity of the e-way bill -

Type of conveyance Distance Validity of EWB
Other than dimensional cargo Less Than 200 Km 1 Day
For every additional 200 Kms or part thereof additional 1 Day
For dimensional cargo Less Than 20 Km 1 Day
For every additional 20 Kms or part thereof additional 1 Day

Now, in the next section, we will see, under which cases a person is not required or exempted from obtaining an e-way bill.

Under Which Cases, the E-way Bill is Exempted? | Cases When EWay Bill is Not Required

  • Goods transportation as mentioned in Annexure to Rule 138 of the CGST Rules, 2017.
  • Goods are transported by non-motorized conveyance.
  • Goods are transported from a port, air cargo complex, airport, and land customs station to an inland container depot or a container freight station for clearance by Customs.
  • Goods valued below Rs. 50,000.
  • Goods movement within areas specified under Rule 138(14) (d) of the SGST Rules, 2017 of the concerned State.
  • The transportation mode is a non-motor vehicle.
  • Goods are being transported under customs seal or customs supervision.
  • Goods are being transported under Customs Bond from ICD to Customs port.
  • Transportation of goods from or to Nepal/ Bhutan.
  • Movement of goods in defense formation.
  • Transportation of empty cargo containers.

The above-mentioned are certain exempted cases under which an individual is exempted from obtaining a waybill. With the understanding of the exception of e-way bill generation, let’s understand what could be potential consequences of not obtaining an e-way bill, in the next section -

What Are the Consequences of Not Obtaining an Eway Bill?

If an e-way bill is not issued according to provisions of Rule 138 of the CGST Rules, 2017 are the consequences an individual might have to face -

  • In accordance with Section 122 of the CGST Act, 2017, a taxable individual is liable to pay a penalty of Rs 10,000 or tax sought to be evaded, whichever will be greater.
  • In accordance with Section 129 of CGST Act, 2017, if an individual stores or transports goods without ensuring conformance with specified compliance requirements will be liable for detention or seizure.

Here, in case you have not generated an e-way bill, being experts we will advise you to do it timely to avoid, penalty, detention, and seizure. To make this process of e-way bill generation seamless for you in the next section, we will discuss the same.

How to Generate Eway Bill? | Eway Bill Generate | Eway Bill Registration

E-way bill can be generated through the below-mentioned methods -

  • Through the web.
  • Via SMS.
  • Via e-invoice.

Now, in the next sections, we will talk about a detailed process of e-way bill registration -

1. Eway Bill Registration Through Web

  • Click on “e-way bill registration under “registration.”

  • Provide the required information.

  • Once details are entered, click on, “submit.”

2. Eway Bill Registration Via SMS

  • Visit the official Way Bill portal.
  • Enter Gst e way bill login credentials. 

  • Enter your registered number and receive OTP>

  • Once done, select a user ID and again provide your mobile number.

Note - Only registered mobile numbers can avail of the benefit of the SMS facility. 

3. Eway Bill Registration Via E-invoice

  • Documents will be uploaded to the invoice registration portal.
  • Entered details will be verified by the GSTN, once validation is done, a unique number termed an invoice reference number and a QRcode on the invoice will be issued.
  • Thereafter, the entered data will be transferred to the e-way bill portal, where, e-way bill details as per Section 12 will be reported.
  • APIS will be used for the e-way bill generated from IRN.
  • A user is required to enter IRN and other credentials to log in on the Way Bill portal. 
  • Part A  and part B of the bill will be filed automatically if details have been provided in the invoice already. 
  • Click on submit and an e-way bill will be generated.

Can an Eway Bill Be Cancelled | How to Cancel Eway Bill?

Yes! An eway bill can be canceled, however, can not be deleted. Moreover, if you want to delete it, then it must be deleted within 24 hours of the generation if an EWB officer verifies the eway bill, you won’t be able to delete it. 

However, it is to be noted that, you can only cancel the e-way bill if goods are not being transported or when goods are not being transported in accordance with details provided in the e-way bill - only under this circumstance e-way bill can be canceled, it is not permitted. 

With that, let’s move on to, how to cancel an e-way bill -

How to Cancel Eway Bills?

  • To cancel the eway bill, click on eway bill or consolidate EWB. then in a drop-down menu, click on “cancel.”

  • A 12-digit e-way bill number needs to be entered.

  • Once you click on ‘Go,” the e-way bill will be canceled.

How to Extend the Validity of E-way Bill?

  • Log in using your credentials and select “extend the validity,” under the drop-down “e-way bill.”

  • Enter the required e-way bill number.

  • An e-way bill form will appear on the screen, click on “do you want to extend the validity of the form.”

  • Submit the form.

Conclusion

The e-way bill provisions have been introduced with the fundamental purpose of eliminating the problems residing in the way bill under GST applicable in different states, which is considered to be the major contributor to the bottlenecks of the check post. 

Moreover, e-way bill differs depending on distinct states, yet, the introduced provisions under the GST e-way bill are uniform and are applicable to the whole of India. Moreover, to make the process instant and seamless, the traditional filing of waybills was replaced with a digital interface - that is bound to improve the efficiency and vehicle turnaround time.

Ensure conformance with applicable compliance requirements to avoid the imposition of penalty.