GST E-Way Bill: Rules, Validity, Generation Process, And Other Details

The e-way (electronic way) bill system under GST (Goods and Services Tax) for inter-state movement of goods came into effect on April 1. GST e-way bill is a document required to be carried by a person in charge of the conveyance carrying any consignment of goods of value exceeding Rs 50,000, as mentioned by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). E-way bill can be generated from GST common portal for e-way bill system - ewaybillgst.gov.in by the registered persons or transporters who cause movement of goods of consignment before commencement of such movement, informed CBIC.

Experts are optimistic about the e-way bill but are wary that it may 'reintroduce the inspector raj'. "E-Way bill will be a strong anti-evasion measure...The only hitch is that under the e-way bill system, the inspectors will once again have the leeway to inspect goods in transit. It needs to be ensured that in the process of monitoring the e-way bill movement of goods, it should not reintroduce the inspector Raj which the GST was precisely created to overcome," said Mayuresh Joshi, Fund Manager, Angel Broking.
 
Requirement of GST e-way bill
 
Section 68 of the GST Act mandates that the government may require the person in charge of a conveyance carrying any consignment of goods of value exceeding Rs 50,000 to carry with him such documents and such devices as may be prescribed, said CBIC in the circular. Rule 138 of CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) Rules, 2017 prescribes e-way bill as the document to be carried for the consignment of goods in certain prescribed cases.
 
Generation of GST e-way bill
 
According to CBIC, the consignor or consignee, as a registered person or a transporter of the goods can generate the e-way bill from the common portal by using the GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number). The unregistered transporter can enroll on the common portal and generate the e-way bill for movement of goods for his clients. Any person can also enroll and generate the e-way bill for movement of goods for his/her own use, said CBIC.
 
Validity period of GST e-way bill
 
Validity of the e-way bill depends upon the distance the goods that have to be transported. In case of regular vehicle or transportation modes, for every 100 km or part of its movement, one day validity has been provided. In case of over dimensional cargo vehicles, for every 20 km or part of its movement, one day validity is provided. This validity expires on the midnight of last day, informed CBIC. The validity period of the e-way bill can be easily calculated. For example, if an e-way bill is generated at 00:04 hrs on April 3. Then first day would end on 12:00 midnight of April 4-5. Second day will end on 12:00 midnight of April 5-6, and so on.