The integration of the E-Way Bill (EWB) system with the Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) of Indian Railways streamlines the transport of goods by rail. Taxpayers using FOIS must ensure accurate entry of Railway Receipt Numbers (RR No.) or electronic Transfer RR (eT-RRs) into the EWB system to prevent discrepancies. Specific steps include updating Part-B of the EWB via the “Multi-Transport Mode” option and selecting Rail as the mode of transport. The RR No./eT-RRs must be entered in the format F<FromStationCode><RR No>, ensuring alignment with the FOIS database. For instance, an RR number from station SJWT with the number 123456789 is entered as FSJWT123456789. The EWB system will validate the RR numbers against FOIS data, generating alerts for mismatches or missing entries. Accurate data entry ensures smooth tracking, verification, and avoidance of delays or complications. Taxpayers facing discrepancies can contact support for resolution. Adhering to these guidelines is critical for compliance and efficient logistics under the GST framework.
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Advisory for Entry of RR No./eT-RRs in EWB system Post EWB-FOIS Integration
Subject: Guidance for Accurate Entry of RR No./eT-RRs following the Integration of E-Way Bill (EWB) with Freight Operation Information System (FOIS) system of Indian Railways.
Dear Taxpayers,
This advisory is being issued to inform you that the FOIS of Indian Railways has now been integrated with the E-Way Bill (EWB) system via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
In light of this, it is important that taxpayers follow the correct process for entering RR no (Railway Receipt Number)/eT-RRs. into the EWB system. Adherence to the guidelines below will help avoid any potential discrepancies or mismatches.
1. Applicability of RR No./eT-RRs Entry in the EWB System
Taxpayers transporting goods via the Indian Railways FOIS must ensure the correct entry of the number or RR No./eT-RRs in the EWB system. The format for entering RR No./eT-RRs has been standardized to ensure consistency and accuracy.
2. Updating Part-B of EWB for Rail Transportation
a) Suppliers with a pre-existing E-Way Bill (EWB) for goods transported from the factory to the railway station, and who are subsequently transporting goods by rail under the FOIS, must follow these steps:
i. Update Part-B of the E-Way Bill using the “Multi-Transport Mode” option on the EWB portal.
ii. In the updated section, select Rail as the mode of transport.
After selecting this option, the system will prompt you to enter the corresponding RR No./eT-RRs
3. RR Number/eT-RRs for FOIS
For goods transported via the Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) the RR number shall be entered in the following format in the EWB system.
Format: F<FromStationCode><RR No>
For eg: If the goods are dispatched from the station SJWT and RR no. is 123456789 then the same needs to be entered as FSJWT123456789
4. EWB and RR No./eT-RRs Validation
After entering the RR No./eT-RRs into the EWB system:
a) The EWB system will validate the RR No./eT-RRs against the data received from the FOIS.
b) If a mismatch is detected or the RR No./eT-RRs is not found in the database, an alert will be generated. Thus it is strongly advised that taxpayers ensure the correct entry of RR No./eT-RRs to avoid future discrepancies
5. Importance of Accurate Entry
It is crucial for taxpayers to ensure that the RR number/eT-RRs is entered correctly in the EWB system to allow smooth tracking and verification of goods being transported via Indian Railways. Accurate entry will also facilitate the validation process and avoid unnecessary delays or complications.
6. Assistance and Clarifications
For further assistance or if there are any discrepancies in entering RR No./eT-RRs taxpayers are encouraged to raise a ticket with the support team, clearly mentioning the RR No./eT-RRs.
The customers who are transporting goods using Railway FOIS system shall adhere to the guidelines issued by Indian Railways for e-Demand customers.
We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring compliance with these guidelines.
Issued by: GST Network (GSTN)
Date: ## December 2024
