How to Generate an E-Way Bill -- Step-by-Step Guide

 Category: GST and Compliance

Every FTL shipment above Rs. 50,000 in value needs an e-way bill before the truck moves. Miss it and the vehicle is stopped at the first state border checkpost. For a Pune manufacturer dispatching auto components to a Delhi buyer on a 20-hour run, a missing e-way bill at the Maharashtra-MP border is a supply chain failure that compounds through the corridor.

This guide covers how to generate an e-way bill on the GSTN portal, what goes in Part A and Part B, how validity is calculated, and the mistakes shippers most commonly make. For FTL truck bookings: TruckGuru transport services.

What Is an E-Way Bill?

An e-way bill is a GST compliance document required for movement of goods worth more than Rs. 50,000. It is generated on the GSTN portal before the consignment moves. Without a valid e-way bill, goods are liable to detention at any state checkpost, and both the consignor and transporter face penalties under the GST Act. The threshold applies to both intra-state and inter-state movement.

Who Can Generate an E-Way Bill?

• Supplier (consignor): the party dispatching the goods -- most common for B2B FTL shipments.
• Recipient (consignee): can generate if the supplier has not.
• Transporter: can generate if authorised by the consignor or consignee.

For FTL bookings on TruckGuru, the shipper generates the e-way bill before dispatch. TruckGuru provides the transporter ID and vehicle number at booking confirmation so the bill can be completed before the truck arrives at the loading point.

Portal URL and Login

The current GSTN e-way bill portal is ewaybillgst.gov.in. An older URL (ewaybill.nic.in) is now obsolete -- use the current address.

To log in, you need your GSTIN and portal password. If not yet registered, register on the portal using your GSTIN and the OTP sent to your registered mobile. Transporters without a GSTIN can apply for a Transporter ID (TRANS-ID) on the same portal.

How to Generate an E-Way Bill -- Step by Step

Step 1: Log in and select Generate New

Log in at ewaybillgst.gov.in using your GSTIN and password. From the left sidebar, go to E-Way Bill and select "Generate New."

Step 2: Fill Part A -- Consignment Details

• Transaction type: select Outward if you are the supplier; Inward if you are the recipient.
• Document type: Tax Invoice for standard B2B sales, or delivery challan/bill of supply as applicable.
• Supplier and Recipient GSTIN: enter both GSTINs. The portal auto-fills the registered name and address -- verify before proceeding.
• Place of dispatch and delivery: enter PIN codes of the pickup and delivery locations.
• Document number and date: your invoice or challan number and date.
• Goods details: product name, HSN code, quantity, unit. Tax amounts (IGST for inter-state, CGST/SGST for intra-state) are calculated from the HSN code.
• Taxable value: the invoice value being transported. Must exceed Rs. 50,000.
• Transport mode: select Road for standard truck transport.
• Approximate distance: distance in km from dispatch to delivery. This determines e-way bill validity.

GSTN Advisory No. 661 update: For B2B transactions where the delivery address differs from the billing GSTIN address, entering the Ship-To GSTIN is now mandatory. If your buyer receives goods at a warehouse registered under a different GSTIN than their billing address, enter the warehouse GSTIN in the Ship-To field. Missing this causes rejection during e-invoice-linked e-way bill generation.

Step 3: Fill Part B -- Vehicle Details

• Transporter ID: the GSTIN or TRANS-ID of the registered transporter. TruckGuru provides this at booking confirmation.
• Vehicle number: registration number without spaces (e.g., GJ05XX1234).
• Date and time of departure: the portal calculates e-way bill validity from this time. Enter the actual planned departure -- not a past time and not too far in advance.

Part B must be completed before the truck moves. A Part A-only bill is not valid for transit.

Step 4: Submit and save the EWB number

Click SUBMIT. The portal generates the e-way bill with a 12-digit EWB number and a QR code. Download and save. The driver must carry a printed or digital copy throughout the trip until delivery.

E-Way Bill Validity Rules

• Up to 200 km: 1 day
• 200 to 400 km: 2 days
• 400 to 600 km: 3 days
• Each additional 200 km or part thereof: 1 additional day

Example: Ahmedabad to Delhi at 950 km = 1 base day + 3 days (for 600-950 km range) = 4 days validity from the Part B departure time.

If the truck is delayed, extend the e-way bill before it expires. Log in, go to "Extend Validity," enter the EWB number and extension reason. Extension requests are only accepted within 8 hours before or after expiry.

Consolidated E-Way Bill

If a transporter carries multiple consignments on one truck (part-load scenario), a consolidated e-way bill can be generated. This requires individual e-way bills for each consignment already generated, plus the transporter ID and vehicle number. The consolidated bill gives the driver one document for all consignments at checkposts.

This does not apply to FTL bookings -- FTL means one consignment per truck. Each FTL shipment has its own individual e-way bill.

How to Cancel an E-Way Bill

Cancel within 24 hours of generation, provided the goods have not moved and the bill has not been verified at a checkpost:

1. Log in to the portal
2. Go to E-Way Bill > Cancel
3. Enter EWB number and reason
4. Submit

A canceled EWB number cannot be reused. Generate a new bill with corrected details. After 24 hours, cancellation is not possible through the portal.

Common E-Way Bill Mistakes That Cause Checkpost Detention

• Wrong vehicle number: transposed digits or wrong state code causes an immediate mismatch. Double-check before submitting Part B.
• Part B completed late: the validity clock starts from the Part B departure time. If Part B is submitted after the truck has left, the bill appears to start validity in the past.
• Distance underestimated: entering a shorter distance reduces the validity period. If the truck reaches the destination before the calculated validity allows, checkpost officers will query the discrepancy.
• Missing Ship-To GSTIN: per GSTN Advisory 661, B2B transactions where delivery address differs from billing address now require the Ship-To GSTIN. Missing this field causes rejection.
• GSTIN mismatch: supplier GSTIN on the e-way bill must match exactly the GSTIN on the invoice.
• Generating after the truck departs: legally the e-way bill must be generated before goods move. A bill generated after departure is non-compliant even if the departure time entered is correct.

E-Way Bill for FTL Bookings on TruckGuru

When you book an FTL truck on TruckGuru, the transporter ID and vehicle registration number are confirmed before dispatch. This lets you complete Part B with accurate vehicle details before the truck arrives at your loading point. For multi-state corridors -- Pune to Delhi (Maharashtra, MP, UP) or Ahmedabad to Mumbai (Gujarat, Maharashtra) -- the e-way bill must be valid throughout the full journey. Check FTL truck rates and book online.

Quick Reference

• Required for: goods worth Rs. 50,000 or more
• Portal: ewaybillgst.gov.in
• Who generates: supplier, recipient, or transporter
• Validity: 1 day per 200 km or part thereof
• Part A: consignment details (fill before Part B)
• Part B: vehicle details (fill before truck moves)
• Cancellation: within 24 hours if goods not moved
• Extension: request within 8 hours before/after expiry
• Ship-To GSTIN: mandatory for B2B where delivery differs from billing address

For questions about e-way bill requirements on specific TruckGuru corridors: view transport services or use the freight calculator.