GST compliance
Two questions come up constantly once a shop starts moving real volume: do I need an e-way bill for this delivery, and which HSN code goes on this invoice? Here's the plain-language version.
This is general information, not tax advice. Thresholds and state-specific rules change — confirm on the official e-way bill portal or with your accountant.
Generally required when goods worth more than ₹50,000 move by vehicle — whether that's a sale, a stock transfer between your own branches, or goods sent out for job work. Many counter sales handed over in person don't need one, but larger deliveries usually do. Some states set their own limits for movement within the state, so check your state's specific rule.
HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) codes classify the type of goods you sell, for GST purposes. How many digits your invoices need generally depends on your annual turnover:
Requirements have shifted over time, so confirm the current rule that applies to you.
An e-way bill has two parts. Part A carries the invoice details: supplier and recipient GSTIN, place of delivery, invoice number and date, value of goods and HSN code. Part B carries the vehicle number. Validity generally runs one day for every 200 km for a normal vehicle, counted from when Part B is filled.
The registered person moving the goods: usually the seller, or the buyer if they arrange the transport. If neither does, the transporter can. It's created on the official e-way bill portal using the details already on your invoice.
Using the wrong HSN code can mean charging the wrong GST rate, which shows up as a mismatch later. It's worth getting your product catalogue's HSN codes right once, rather than fixing invoices after the fact.
StockMitra creates GST-ready bills with PDF invoices and keeps your product and stock records organised, so the details you need for an e-way bill or a correct HSN entry are already on hand. It doesn't generate e-way bills itself — those are created on the official e-way bill portal.
An e-way bill is generally required when goods worth more than ₹50,000 are moved by a vehicle, whether that's a sale, a stock transfer, or goods sent for job work. Many local retail sales handed over at the counter don't need one, but larger deliveries and inter-state stock movement usually do — check current rules for your state, since some states set their own limits for intra-state movement.
HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) codes classify the goods you sell for GST purposes. Businesses generally need to show a 4-digit HSN code on invoices if turnover is up to ₹5 crore, and a 6-digit code above that threshold — though exact requirements have changed over time, so confirm the current rule for your turnover band.
StockMitra creates GST-ready bills with PDF invoices and keeps your product and stock records organised. It is not an e-way bill generation tool — e-way bills are generated on the official e-way bill portal, using details from your invoice.
Generally one day for every 200 km of distance for a normal vehicle, counted from when Part B (vehicle details) is filled. Over-dimensional cargo gets less distance per day. If goods can't reach in time, the validity can usually be extended on the portal around the time it expires.
