E-Way Bill vs E-Invoice: Key Differences Explained (2026)
E-way bill and e-invoice are both GST compliance tools — but they serve very different purposes. Here's when each applies and how they link together.
Overview
An e-Way Bill (Electronic Way Bill) is a mandatory electronic document that must accompany the movement of goods worth more than ₹50,000 between states — and in most states, within the same state as well. It is generated on the government portal ewaybillgst.gov.in and governed by Rule 138 of the CGST Rules, 2017.
The e-Way Bill serves as electronic proof that the goods movement is legitimate and the associated supply has been properly reported to the GST system. Without a valid e-Way Bill, goods in transit can be detained by tax authorities, and the transporter is liable for a penalty of ₹10,000 or the tax amount on the goods, whichever is higher.
Importantly, an e-Way Bill is NOT a tax invoice or a delivery challan — it is a separate compliance document generated alongside one of those underlying documents. It remains valid for a fixed period based on the distance involved and must be extended if goods are not delivered within the validity window.
Fields
How it works
Create a GST-compliant tax invoice (or delivery challan for non-sale movement) with the correct HSN code, value, and place of supply. Use the invoice builder to produce the PDF in under a minute.
Visit the official e-Way Bill portal (ewaybillgst.gov.in) and log in with your GSTIN credentials. Go to e-Way Bill → Generate New. Fill Part A (invoice/consignment details) and Part B (transporter/vehicle details) before the goods are dispatched.
Once generated, you receive a 12-digit EWB number. Print or share it with the transporter — the EWB number must accompany the goods. Monitor validity and extend before it expires if delivery is delayed.
FAQ
Everything you need to know about e-way bill guide generation.
Validity is distance-based: up to 200 km = 1 day; 200–400 km = 3 days; 400–600 km = 5 days; 600–800 km = 7 days; 800–1,000 km = 9 days; above 1,000 km = 15 days. For Over-Dimensional Cargo, multiply all these by 4. Validity starts from midnight of the generation date. You can extend before it expires — extension is allowed from 8 hours before to 8 hours after expiry.
Primarily the consignor (supplier/seller). If the supplier does not generate it, the transporter must generate the e-Way Bill before moving the goods. The buyer (consignee) can also generate it if they are transporting the goods themselves after purchase.
Part A contains the consignment details — supplier/recipient GSTINs, document number, HSN, value, and place of dispatch/delivery. Part B contains the vehicle details — transporter GSTIN or transport ID and vehicle number. Part A can be saved in advance; Part B must be filled in before the goods physically move. Without Part B, the e-Way Bill is incomplete and goods cannot legally be transported.
Exemptions include: goods transported by non-motorised vehicles; goods carried by a person as personal baggage; movement of goods from customs port to CFS/ICD; certain goods listed in Annexure to Rule 138 (e.g. vegetables, fruits, unprocessed agricultural produce, household effects during relocation); transport of exempted goods; movement within the same state below the state-specific threshold; and movement within 50 km of the supplier's premises in certain intra-state cases.
Yes, but only within 24 hours of generation, and only if the goods have not already been verified by a tax officer. After 24 hours or post-verification, the e-Way Bill cannot be cancelled. If you generated it in error after that window, let it expire — do not transport goods against it.
Under Section 129 of the CGST Act, goods being moved without a valid e-Way Bill are liable to detention. The penalty is the higher of: (a) 100% of the tax amount on the goods, or (b) ₹10,000 per instance. For goods that are exempt from tax, the penalty is 2% of the goods' value or ₹25,000, whichever is lower.
Yes. Even though no sale occurs, if the goods being sent for job work are valued above ₹50,000, an e-Way Bill must be generated using the delivery challan as the underlying document (select "Delivery Challan" as the document type on the portal). The challan number and date appear in Part A.
Free to use
Every e-Way Bill starts with a valid tax invoice. Create your GST-compliant invoice in under 60 seconds — then generate the e-Way Bill on the government portal.
Guides
E-way bill and e-invoice are both GST compliance tools — but they serve very different purposes. Here's when each applies and how they link together.
HSN and SAC codes classify what you're selling under GST. Here's which code to use, how many digits are required, and a lookup for the most common categories.
Place of supply is the single most important concept that determines which GST component you charge. Get it wrong and your buyer loses ITC. Here is how it works for goods, services, and exports.