Govt releases New Set of FAQs on E-Way Bill [Read FAQs]

Amidst ambiguities over the rollout date of E-Way Bill under the new Goods and Services Tax regime, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Electronic Way Bill.

“E-way bill (FORM GST EWB-01) is an electronic document (available to supplier / recipient / transporter) generated on the common portal evidencing movement of goods of consignment value more than Rs. 50000/-. It has two Components-Part A comprising of details of GSTIN of supplier & recipient, place of delivery (indicating PIN Code also), document (Tax invoice, Bill of Supply, Delivery Challan or Bill of Entry) number and date, value of goods, HSN code, and reasons for transportation; and Part B –comprising of transport details – transport document number (Goods Receipt Number or Railway Receipt Number or Airway Bill Number or Bill of Lading Number) and Vehicle number for road,” it said.

As per the FAQs, the benefits of the E-Way Bill are (i) Physical interface to pave way for digital interface resulting in elimination of state boundary check-posts (ii) It will facilitate faster movement of goods (iii) It will improve the turnaround time of trucks and help the logistics industry by increasing the average distances travelled, reducing the travel time as well as costs etc.

It said that even if the movement of goods is caused due to reasons others than supply, the e-way bill is required to be issued. Reasons other than supply include movement of goods due to job-work, replacement under warranty, recipient not known, the supply of liquid gas where quantity is not known, supply returns, exhibition or fairs, for own use, Sale on approval basis and others etc.

Though the E-Way Bill mechanism had launched last day as decided, the same has been withdrawn soon and postponed due to technical glitches in the common portal. However, trial run has been extended until the rollout of EWB mechanism.