Follow Us :

By the time many of assesses have streamlined the processes of filing of GSTR-3B, also filed GSTR-1 till Jan-17 online on GST portal after facing lots of technical glitches. Everyone who makes exports by paying IGST eager to see their refunds in their bank accounts. Many of them were succeed and many more are waiting for the same.

The GST laws makes standardised provisions for making a IGST refund claim and now IGST Refund module for exports is operational in ICES.

As per Rule 96 of the CGST Rules 2017, dealing with refund of IGST paid on goods exported out of India, the shipping bill filed by an exporter shall be deemed to be an application for refund of integrated tax paid on the goods exported out of India, once both the export general manifest (EGM) and valid return in Form GSTR-3 or Form GSTR- 3B has been filed.

Rule 96 further stated that the information on GSTR-1 shall then be transmitted electronically to Customs and the System designated by Customs shall process the refund claim.

The IGST refund module has been designed in line with the above rule and has an in built mechanism to automatically grant refund after validating the Shipping Bill data with available in ICES against the GST Returns data transmitted by GSTN. The matching between the two data sources is done at Invoice level and any mis-match of the laid down parameters returns giving following error/response codes

Code Indicates
SB000 Successfully validated
SB001 Invalid SB details
SB002 EGM not filed
SB003 GSTIN mismatch
SB004 Record already received and validated
SB005 Invalid Invoice Number
SB006 Gateway EGM not available

If the said matching is successful, ICES shall process the claim for refund and the relevant amount of IGST paid with respect to each Shipping Bill or Bill of export shall be electronically credited to the exporter’s bank account as mentioned with the Customs authorities and not in any other account as mentioned on GST portal.

As mentioned above, process of granting of refund is very easy and automated, but one has to be very careful while understanding the error occurred and its meaning and what action to be taken for correcting the same.

Error Code Indicates Reasons & Actions to be taken
SB000 This response code comes when all the decided parameters like GSTIN, SB number, Invoice Number etc. match between GSTN and Customs databases. This code implies that the SB is ripe for inclusion in the IGST refund scroll. It may happen that even with SB000, the SB does not appear in the refund scroll . Reasons could be:

a) The exports might have been made under bond or LUT, hence not liable for refund.

b) If a shipping bill covers multiple invoices, few of the invoices might have been successfully validated with code SB000 whereas other invoices might be stuck with any of the other errors.

c) Higher rate of Drawback has been claimed for that SB, thus making the SB ineligible for IGST refund.

d) Where the IGST claim amount is less than Rs. 1000/-.

In all the above cases, the scroll amount (check SB Wise IGST Claimed Status Report) shall automatically become zero and the SBs shall not be included in the refund scroll. There are two more reasons where the SBs will figure in the Temporary IGST Scroll but not in the Final Scroll. This could happen if there is an alert/suspension on the IEC in ICES or if the account of the IEC is not validated by PFMS.

One has very careful while grating checklist to the CHA before printing of Shipping bill for printing of IGST amount on Shipping bill.

SB001 This may occur due to a mismatch between the SB No. furnished in GSTR-1/6A and the SB No. with customs. The possible reason for such mismatch could be a clerical error made by the exporter at the time of filling of GSTR-1/6A, which can be rectified by making amendments in GSTR-1 by using Form 9A at the GST Common Portal.
SB002 EGM not filed Exporter may approach the Shipping Lines to file the EGM immediately
SB003 GSTIN mismatch This error occurs when GSTIN declared in the SB does not match with the GSTIN used to fill the corresponding GST Returns.

In this case too, the Exporter may be asked to make necessary adjustments in GSTR-1 by use of amendment Form 9A.

However, it is to be noted that there is no provision of amendment in the Shipping Bill once the EGM is filed.

SB004 Record already received This error code occurs due to duplicate/repeat transmission of SB-Invoice record from GSTN.

The previous transmission would have already been validated for IGST refund by ICES.

SB005 Invalid Invoice Number – This is the most common error faced by the exporters, which occurs due to mismatch of invoice number as declared in the Invoice Table in the SB and that declared in the GSTR 1 for the same supply. a) Typographical mistake while entering data in GSTR 1 or the SB.

b) The exporter uses two sets of invoices, one invoice for GST and another invoice for exports resulting in mismatch of invoice numbers.

After the implementation of GST, an exporter is required to enter in the “invoice” column while filing the SB pertains to the invoice issued by him compliant to GST Invoice Rules.

The invoice number shall be matched with GSTN to validate exports and IGST payment.

It was understood that there would not be any difference between Commercial Invoice and GST Invoice after GST since as per the GST Laws, the IGST is to be paid on the actual transaction value of the supply between the exporter and the consignee, which should be the same as the one declared on the commercial invoice.

If SB005 is due to a data entry mistake in GSTR 1, it can be amended now in Form 9A.

But any mistake in the SB cannot be amended once EGM is filed.

Also, if the exporter has indeed used a separate invoice in the SB, he cannot include that in his GSTR 1 in lieu of his GST Invoice.

Thus SB005 error, largely, cannot be corrected by any amendment either in GSTR 1 or in the Shipping Bill.

SB006 Gateway EGM not available – In case of ICDs, if the Gateway EGM is not filed electronically or is stuck in some error, response code SB006 shall appear. It is noticed that Gateway EGM in case of many ICD’s Shipping Bills have been manually filed, which shall not suffice and the EGM shall have to be filed in ICES at the gateway port.

In case of pending Gateway EGMs, Shipping Lines may be approached at gateway ports to file supplementary EGMs expeditiously.

The essential steps to file the gateway EGM successfully are:

a) File Train/Truck Summary immediately after cargo leaves the ICD.

b) Ensure that shipping Line mentions the ICD SB in his EGM filed at gateway port along with the transference copy received from gateway port.

c) Errors may be rectified through amendment in Service Centre and get it approved by proper officer.

The above error codes can be seen by the field officer in the GSTN Integration Status Report in New MIS. But this report includes only those SBs on which the IGST validation procedure is run. This view is also available to exporters in their ICEGATE login.

As mentioned above, the validation procedure for IGST refund is run only for those SBs where EGM has been filed and for which the GSTN has transmitted the GSTR 1 returns data to Customs.

There are primarily two conditions for GSTN to transmit the data:

a) Both, GSTR1/6A and GSTR3B should have been filed for that supply

b) The IGST paid on exports declared in GSTR 3B should not be less than that declared in GSTR1/6A

c) There are no missing invoices in GSTR1 for that supply

If the exporter finds that even after the correct filing of returns as above, their SBs do not reflect in this report, they may be advised to write to GSTN helpdesk.

The refund of IGST on exports shall be given by generating a scroll of eligible Shipping Bills.

  • Based on eligible shipping bills the temporary IGST refund scroll shall be generated by the authorized officer in the CLK role in ICES
  • Consequently, permanent scroll shall be generated by the authorized officer in the AC_DBK role
  • Once the final scroll is generated, there is no further action required from the sanctioning officer
  • The scroll will automatically be transmitted to PFMS and there is no further need to send the scroll to the bank separately

Field officers can check GSTN Integration Status Report in NewMIS role in Export Based Reports and view above response codes for each SB and consequent status of scroll. It may be noted here that this report is generated as per the SB data available with ICES.

Gateway EGM Pendency and Error reports are also available in NewMIS under EGM Based Reports. SB wise EGM error code can be ascertained from here for corrective action.

In addition to the above reports, there are other reports also which give details on different parameters relevant to IGST refund for each SB/IEC/GSTIN like,

  • IEC wise IGST Claimed
  • GSTIN wise count of SBs/EGMs
  • IEC wise Refund Granted/Not Ganted etc.

What Exporter should do…

– The exporter has the option to check the GST validation Status for his SBs in his ICEGATE website login. This report shows the exporter the response/error codes for each of his SBs wherever data has been received from GSTN. The reasons for non-receipt of data from GSTN have already been elaborated above.

– The exporter also has the option to view the SB details relevant for IGST validation on the ICEGATE website. The exporter can view this while filing the GST Returns and ensure that the details are entered accurately in the Returns as well so that no mismatch occurs.

– In case, the exporter’s account is not validated by PFMS, he may approach jurisdictional Customs commissionerate with correct account details and get it updated in ICES.

– If the exporter is not getting the refund due to suspension/alert on his IEC, he may clear his dues or submit e-BRC and have the suspension revoked.

– Below mentioned points required to be taken care by exporter for getting hassle free IGST refunds on exports;

  • Bank account – with customs to be checked- Currently refunds issued to custom linked account only hence first check to check which account is registered with Customs.
  • Export tax invoice with IGST
  • Reporting of export with IGST in 3B
  • Filing of Shipping bill is only submission of refund application, Refund will be directly credited to bank account
  • GSTR-1/Table 6A filling

Filling of shipping bill

– IGST paid shipping bill has to be generated :look for (“P” remark on SB)

– IGST paid amount as per tax invoice only to be mentioned in Shipping Bill (Manually to be change by CHA)

– Check SB checklist from CHA before shipping bill confirmations

Availability of ITC balance

In nutshell, getting IGST refunds is very easy affair subject to proper following of all the steps as mentioned by the exporter and timely tracking of shipping bills which are pending for refunds.

I wish all exporters all the best for there speedy refund process and happy refund crediting to their accounts.

Source:- CBEC Guide on IGST Refund

Join Taxguru’s Network for Latest updates on Income Tax, GST, Company Law, Corporate Laws and other related subjects.

32 Comments

  1. Hyder Jaffri says:

    Our CHA has mention wrong amount of IGST in SB, our IGST amount is 141589.93, but our CHA filed 1415899 by error

    we have received Amandmend Certificate from custom port & our SB is under SB000, but our SB hang in “W” error for excess amount mention by our CHA

    We still did not received IGSt refund,

    Pls help us

  2. Prasanth says:

    SIR,
    Due to Oversight Mistake Shipping Bill Filed under LUT but the IGST Amount actually is paid. Please advise us with your good comments to get it the IGST Amount

  3. AK Patra says:

    We have error code SB005 in all shipping bill from july 2017.Infact our commercial invoice is 18 digit and GSTR1 & shipping bill accept 16 digit.so there in mismatch.We have around 30 invoice like that with same error code.So,Plz advise what to do now.

  4. shub.jain10@gmail.com says:

    For this you can take benefit for circular issued by CBIC ,where you can get refund with intervention tion of custom officer.

  5. Ashish Jain says:

    Our Igst refund is pending and Icegate is saying contact custom for Scroll Generation, Kindly tell is there any mechanism for scroll generation or physically have to visit Customs.

  6. Naresh kumar says:

    We are exporting with igst paid for period July 2017 to March 2018. And another problem is some return filling without shipping bill detail. All returns filling upto date Dec 2018. We are trying to reach all departments & custom house but no results. And 2nd is custom house working manual and shipping bill issued in manual form.
    1. July 2017 to Dec 2017 return filling without shipping bill details.
    2. Jan 2018 to March 2018 return filling with shipping bill details but shipping bill manual so refund not process and error code show SB001. Now sugest me what we can do for refund.

  7. NAMRATA TAMBE says:

    we exported our goods under claim for rebate duty paid in invoice as well shown in GST return but by typogarph mistake in shipping bill shown undr LUT igst amt nil and yet not received rebate claim now what to do please guide us

  8. Raj says:

    Sir,
    ICEGATE shows the response code SB000. but IGST refund not received to our account. how to find out whether scroll generated or not.
    and how to find whether PFMS status.

    Request for your help
    Raj, Bangalore

  9. k s narayananiyer says:

    Sir we have a customer who has cleared two machines for export under different invoices paid gst at time of export however at the time of preparing shipping bill both invoice details were entered however gst amount of only one invoice was mentioned hence he has received gst amount for one invoice only. how to claim gst for balance one invoice. There is no provision to amend the shipping bill details once leo order is issued and export is done. Client has obtained shipment certificate from customs. Can customer claim gst refund for balance refund on basis of shipment certificate issued by customs manually from
    GST range. seek your advice

  10. A.Mukherjee says:

    From:- Shrinath Rotopack Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad. GSTIN 36AAJCS9881K1ZG

    We are again in trouble For the month May-2018, All response code shows SB005, only one found SB001, Sir it is the question of refund amount Rs. 2,50,16,586/- of various Ports such as Mumbai Port ( INNSA1), ICD, Hyderabad( INSNF6), Air Cargo, Hyderabad( INHYD4).

    Requesting you to solve this issues to turn all SB005 into SB000,

    We detected the problems , This is a minor problem e.g.

    In Shipping Bill Invoice No.mentioned MEXP-079 where as in GSTR-1 it was mentioned MEXP-79. Entire problems is same.

    Sir Now in May-18 onward there is no option to solve this issues by “OFFICER INTERFACE MECHANISM”, This facilities was given up to 30.04.18.

    In this regard if any documents support is require, we will provide you the same.

    Note, If require we can go before you in Delhi to explain.

    Awaiting for your favorable reply.

    Sir Please Help……..

  11. pragnesh says:

    we exported our goods under claim for rebate duty paid in invoice as well shown in GST return but by typogarph mistake in shipping bill shown undr LUT igst amt nil and yet not received rebate claim now what to do please guide us

  12. M K SHARMA says:

    We are manufacturer exporter and getting the GST refund from customs against our export made. But we are not getting the shipping bills numbers details against which the GST refund is received and we are facing the problem to knock off the entries from our record and follow up for the balance shipping bills. Need your help to provide the any web site at ICEGATE where we can down load the shipping bill number against the GST refund received.

  13. TAPAS BOSE says:

    EXPORT INVOICE DATE IS 25TH OF MAY 2018, BUT SHIPPING BILLL DATE IS 1ST OFJUNE, SHIPPING BILL HAS PROCESS IGST PAID BASIS.
    PLEASE ADVISE WHETHER EXPORTER WILL GET THE REFUND OF IGST ,AS THERE IS A MISMATCH OF THEIR EXPORT INV DATE AND SHIPPING BILL DATE.IF EXPORT WILL GET THE IGST REFUND , WHAT IS THE PROCESS.

  14. Kenil Mehta says:

    Dear Sir,

    we are Forwarder in ahmedabad. 1 of our exporter party paid more IGST than actually mentioned in S/Bill. now what shipper have to do to get refund of excess IGST paid

  15. Mukesh kumar says:

    kindly advise me IGST paid export we will have to file any form online and advise how can claim refund process because we have filed GSTR1 already month of Jan-18 i have to submit any documents port wise
    kindly advise me
    Thx and regards
    Mukesh kumar

  16. vikram says:

    what happens if GSTR3B is filled in 3.1a instead of 3b and all above are met. whom to approach for edit/reset option of 3b or when will we get the refund.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search Post by Date
March 2024
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031