An e-way bill is generated on the government's e-way bill system before goods worth more than ₹50,000 move. Most businesses use the website, but you can also generate one by SMS, through the e-way bill system's official mobile app, in bulk, or straight from an e-invoice. Here is each method, step by step. Not sure you need one? Use the e-way bill checker first, and see the e-way bill rules for limits and validity.
Before you start
- Register on the e-way bill portal at ewaybillgst.gov.in with your GSTIN. An OTP goes to the mobile number registered with GST, and you create a username and password. Unregistered transporters enrol separately to get a transporter ID.
- Keep the invoice, bill of supply or delivery challan ready: number, date, value, HSN codes and tax.
- Know the buyer's GSTIN (or 'URP' for an unregistered buyer), the delivery PIN code, and either the vehicle number or the transporter's ID.
Method 1: on the website, step by step
- Log in at ewaybillgst.gov.in and choose e-Waybill → Generate New.
- Transaction type: Outward (you are sending) or Inward (you are receiving, for example from an unregistered supplier).
- Sub-type: Supply, Export, Job Work, SKD/CKD, Recipient Not Known, For Own Use, Exhibition or Fairs, Line Sales or Others.
- Document type, number and date: tax invoice, bill of supply, delivery challan, bill of entry or other.
- Bill from / dispatch from and bill to / ship to: GSTINs, names, addresses, states and PIN codes. Enter the actual dispatch and delivery addresses.
- Item details: product name, HSN code, quantity, unit, taxable value and tax rates. The portal works out the totals.
- Transport details (Part B): mode (road, rail, air or ship), the approximate distance (the portal suggests it from the PIN codes), and the vehicle number or the transporter's document number. If the transporter will add the vehicle later, enter their transporter ID and leave the vehicle blank.
- Submit. The portal validates the details and generates a 12-digit e-way bill number. Print it or share the number with the driver.
Method 2: from an e-invoice (IRN)
If you issue e-invoices, you can include transport details when you report the invoice to the IRP, or generate the e-way bill later from the IRN on the e-way bill portal. Part A is filled from the e-invoice, so you only add Part B. This avoids typing the invoice twice.
Method 3: on your phone
- Mobile browser: the portal works in a phone's browser like on a computer.
- SMS: register the mobile numbers that will use it under Registration → For SMS, then send the request in the prescribed format. The portal replies with the e-way bill number. Formats are in the official SMS guide on the portal.
- Official mobile app (Android and iOS): the main user registers each phone's IMEI number under Registration → For Mobile App, and the download link arrives by SMS. The app isn't listed on the Play Store or App Store, so don't install look-alikes.
Method 4: in bulk or through software
For many consignments a day, the portal's bulk generation tool converts an Excel sheet into a JSON file to upload. Larger businesses connect their ERP to the e-way bill system through the API or a GST Suvidha Provider.
After generating: update, extend, cancel or reject
| Action | When | How |
|---|---|---|
| Update Part B (vehicle) | Vehicle changes or transshipment | e-Waybill → Update Vehicle No. |
| Extend validity | From 8 hours before to 8 hours after expiry, if goods haven't reached | e-Waybill → Extend Validity, with the reason and current location |
| Cancel | Within 24 hours of generation, if goods didn't move or details are wrong (and it hasn't been verified in transit) | e-Waybill → Cancel |
| Reject | By the recipient, within 72 hours or before delivery, whichever is earlier | Reject option on the recipient's login |
| Consolidate | Several consignments in one vehicle | Consolidated EWB (Form EWB-02) |
Since 1 January 2025, e-way bills can only be generated for documents dated within the last 180 days, and a bill can't be extended beyond 360 days from generation.
How to check e-way bills generated by others on your GSTIN
A supplier, buyer or transporter can generate an e-way bill that names your GSTIN as the other party. According to the e-way bill system FAQs, there are four ways to see them:
- Dashboard: log in at ewaybillgst.gov.in; the dashboard shows e-way bill activity on your GSTIN, including bills generated by other parties.
- Daily SMS: the system sends one SMS a day summarising e-way bill activity on your GSTIN.
- Reject menu: choose Reject, select the generation date and the portal lists the e-way bills generated on your GSTIN by others.
- Reports: under Reports, open the report of e-way bills generated by other parties. Reports run one day at a time, so pick each date and save the report.
- Not yours? Reject it. Tick the e-way bill in the Reject list and submit. If you don't accept or reject within 72 hours of generation, or before the goods are delivered if that is earlier, you are treated as having accepted it.
- Without logging in, anyone can check that a particular e-way bill is genuine by entering its number, date, generator ID and document number in the portal's search option. That checks a known bill; it doesn't list the bills on your GSTIN.
- Rejecting a wrong e-way bill doesn't fix anything else. If someone keeps using your GSTIN, take it up with the supplier and your tax adviser.
E-way bill for an unregistered buyer or customer
Searches like “how to generate e way bill for unregistered buyer / customer / person” and “for non gst customer” are common. On the e-way bill portal you still generate the bill as usual; the difference is how you identify the other party:
- Bill-to / ship-to GSTIN: enter URP (Unregistered Person) when the buyer has no GSTIN. Don't invent a GSTIN.
- Name and address: fill the buyer's name, address, state and delivery PIN so Part A is complete. The portal needs a valid PIN for distance.
- Document: use your tax invoice (or delivery challan / bill of supply when those apply). Values and HSN must match the document.
- Who generates: if you are the registered supplier moving goods to an unregistered buyer, you generate the outward e-way bill. If you are receiving goods from an unregistered supplier, you may need an inward e-way bill — see the portal's transaction type.
- B2C sales: e-way bill rules still follow value and movement (generally above ₹50,000, with exemptions). Being B2C does not by itself remove the need for an e-way bill when goods move.
For thresholds, exemptions and validity, use the e-way bill checker and the e-way bill rules guide. Always confirm on ewaybillgst.gov.in.
Common mistakes
- Wrong vehicle number: update Part B before the goods move.
- Distance far more than the actual route: the portal allows only a limited margin over its PIN-to-PIN distance.
- Value mismatch with the invoice: the e-way bill must match the document.
- Generating for exempt goods or below the limit when not needed: check first with the e-way bill checker.
Where VelBooks fits
An e-way bill is only as good as the invoice behind it. VelBooks GST billing keeps GSTINs, HSN codes and values right on every invoice and challan. Need e-way bills generated from your invoices? Talk to us about your requirements.
Sources
- E-way bill portal
- E-way bill system FAQs (GSTN/NIC)
- E-way bill system FAQs: rejection, bills generated by others, mobile app (NIC)
- E-way bill system documents and user guides
- CGST Rule 138 (CBIC)
- E-way bill advisory on 2025 updates
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; check the official sources above or consult your tax adviser.