Overview
An E‑Way Bill is an electronic document mandated under India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system for transporting goods worth more than ₹50,000. Generated on the GST portal, it records details of the consignment, vehicle and transporter, ensuring transparency and tax compliance.
Introduction
The E‑Way Bill aims to monitor the movement of goods and deter tax evasion. It is required for inter‑state transport and certain intra‑state consignments when the value exceeds a specified limit. The bill contains information about the sender, recipient, goods, transporter and vehicle, making goods movement traceable.
Failing to generate an E‑Way Bill can result in penalties, and goods may be detained until compliance is achieved. Therefore, businesses must understand when the bill is needed and ensure it is generated before transport.
Understanding E‑Way Bill
An E‑Way Bill is produced online and comprises two parts: Part A captures consignment details such as the supplier’s GSTIN, place of delivery, invoice number and value, HSN code and reason for transportation. Part B contains vehicle or transporter details. The bill must accompany the goods during transit and can be verified by tax officials. Failure to present a valid bill may lead to fines.
Situations Requiring Issuance of an E‑Way Bill
Supply transactions: Goods worth more than ₹50,000 transported due to sale, transfer or exchange require an E‑Way Bill.
Other reasons: Job work, exhibition, repairs or returns involving consignments over ₹50,000 also need a bill.
Special cases: Certain goods need a bill even if their value is below ₹50,000, particularly for inter‑state movement.
Who Should Generate an E‑Way Bill
A registered supplier must generate an E‑Way Bill when goods over ₹50,000 are moved using their own or a hired vehicle. If goods are handed to a transporter, either the supplier or recipient generates Part A, and the transporter completes Part B. Unregistered suppliers may also need to generate a bill for inter‑state movements. Businesses should ensure that the bill is generated before goods leave the premises to avoid penalties.