All About E-Way Bill

E-Way Bill aka Electronic waybill is a unique document or bill that is electronically generated for the specific consignment of goods from one to another place, inter-state or intra-state. E-way bill is generated at the time of the transport of goods by every registered person if the value of the consignment exceeds INR 50,000.

The e-way bill has been made essential: –

For inter-state supplies – from April 1, 2018

For intra-state supplies- from April 25, 2018 in certain states (Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Puducherry).

When Should E-Way Bill Be Issued?

E-Way Bill should be generated before the dawning of the movement of goods when the value is above INR 50,000. The movement of goods will be either about a supply/ reasons other than supply (e.g. return)/ inbound supply from an unregistered person.

For purposes of an e-Way Bill, supply is considered either a payment during business/ a payment which may not be in the course of business/ no consideration of payment (in the case of barter/ exchange).

Who can generate an E-way Bill?

An E-way bill may be generated by –

• A registered person
• An Unregistered person
• A transporter

If a supply is made by an unregistered person to a registered person, the recipient of goods is responsible to generate E-way bill.

A transporter is responsible to generate E-way bill if the bill has not been generated by a supplier.

In case of unregistered transporters, they will be provided with a Transporter ID on registering on E-way bill portal.

How to Generate e-Way Bills?

An E-way Bill generated by a registered person / transporter through any of the mentioned methods: –

1. Using website i.e. http://ewaybill.nic.in
2. Using SMS based facility

The bill can be issued from the GSTN. Once it is generated, the supplier, the recipient, and the driver involved in transportation of the goods will be provided an e-way bill number (EBN).

Essential Terms for Generation of E-way Bill: –

• Invoice or Bill of Supply or Delivery Challan of Consignment
• Transport by Road
• If roadways transport the goods- Transporter’s ID or Vehicle number
• Transport by other modes
• If rail or air or ship transport the goods- Transporter ID, Transport document number & document date

The validity of an E-way Bill: –

Validity of an e-way bill is based on the distance the goods need to transport.

Validity of an e-way bill shall be calculated- from the date of e-way bill generation. An e-way bill validation period calculated as follows –

In case of extraordinary circumstances, where goods are not transported within the validity period, the transporter may extend validity of e-way bill. The extension can be  made before four hours or within four hours from the expiry date of e-way bill.

Exemptions:

• An e-way bill is not required in the following cases: –
• When the value of the consignment is not more than Rs. 50,000.
• When the shipped goods are exempt from GST.
• Note: If the consignment obtains exempt and taxable goods both, the value of exempt goods is excluded from the value of the consignment.
• When goods are transported by non-motorized vehicle (e.g.: railways).
• When goods are transported for clearance by the Customs Department

from a port, airport, air cargo complex or land customs station to an inland container depot.

What are the penalties for not Carrying the e-way bill?

Without an e-way bill if the consignment has been found, the concerned person should pay a penalty of INR 10,000 or the equal amount of tax evaded (the greater of the two).