The Goods and Services Tax (GST) system aimed to establish a unified national market for goods and services. A key step in achieving this was the removal of check posts starting July 1, 2017.

Introduction to the E-way Bill System

The electronic waybill (e-way bill) system was progressively introduced throughout India. When goods are dispatched, the sender must generate an e-way bill by entering shipment details on the official portal, referencing an underlying document like a tax invoice or delivery challan.

Objectives of E-way Bills

The primary purposes of e-way bills are:

• To oversee the movement of goods and curb tax evasion.
• To facilitate seamless goods movement without creating new check posts.
• To replace the various permits required during the VAT regime with a single permit for nationwide goods transportation.

To streamline goods distribution across India further, the government plans to deploy RFID tag readers. These readers will automatically scan details of goods being transported by RFID-tagged vehicles, significantly minimizing manual verification processes.

How RFID Technology Operates for E-way Bills

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology employs radio waves for object detection. Transporters must equip their vehicles with an RFID tag, typically affixed to the windscreen at a designated spot. E-way bill information for the goods carried by the vehicle is then linked to this tag. As the vehicle passes an RFID reader on a highway, the reader scans the tag, uploads the embedded e-way bill data to a government portal. This data will assist revenue authorities in validating supplier consignments. While this system may not entirely eliminate physical goods verification, it will likely reduce it to instances involving sensitive goods or suspected fraudulent activity. Uttar Pradesh mandated RFID tags for transporters from November 1, 2018, and Maharashtra is reportedly in advanced stages of implementing this system.

Common Questions About RFID Tagging

How can one obtain RFID tags?

RFID tags are affixed to vehicle windscreens. These can be acquired from designated distribution centers located in various jurisdictions throughout India. Currently, Uttar Pradesh is the only state that has formally mandated RFID usage and has published a list of its distribution centers.

What are the implications of not having an RFID tag?

CGST Rules stipulate that goods must be transported with an e-way bill generated via the GST Portal. However, a notification from the GST Commissioner states that the e-way bill number can be provided electronically or linked to a vehicle's embedded RFID. An e-way bill linked to an RFID serves as an alternative to a physical e-way bill. Failing to map an e-way bill to an RFID will incur the same penalties as not generating an e-way bill at all.

How is this reflected in the e-way bill system?

The RFID tagging is associated with the vehicle itself, not individual e-way bills. Even with RFID tagging, inspectors retain the authority to physically check the e-way bill and goods, especially for consignments prone to tax evasion.