E-Way Bill Limit in India: Complete State-Wise Guide

Shipping goods across India? Dealing with logistics can feel complicated, but getting your documentation right doesn’t have to be. If you are moving goods, the E-Way Bill is your digital passport for smooth transit. It ensures your consignments move without highway hiccups, penalties, or delays.

Whether you are a business owner, transporter, or tax professional, knowing the correct e-way bill limit for your specific state is the key to peace of mind. Let’s break down the rules, the state-wise variations, and the critical compliance updates for 2026 so you can focus on growing your business, not fighting fines.

The Golden Rule: What is the Standard E-Way Bill Limit?

For most movements under GST, the magic number is Rs. 50,000. If you are transporting goods with a consignment value exceeding Rs. 50,000, you generally need to generate an E-Way Bill. This applies to a single invoice, a bill of supply, or a delivery challan.

• Interstate (Between States): The limit is fixed at Rs. 50,000 for the entire country. If your goods cross a state border and are valued above this amount, you must have an E-Way Bill.
• Intrastate (Within a State): This is where it gets tricky. While the default GST e-way bill limit is Rs. 50,000, many states have increased this threshold to relieve the compliance burden on local businesses.

State-Wise E-Way Bill Limits (Intrastate)

This is the most critical section for your logistics planning. While interstate rules are uniform, e-way bill state-wise limit rules vary significantly. We have grouped them below for quick scanning.

States with Higher Limits (Above Rs. 50,000)

Many states have raised the e-way bill threshold limit for goods moving within their borders.

State / UT	Intrastate Limit (Rs.)	Important Notes
Delhi	1,00,000	Applies to all taxable goods.
Maharashtra	1,00,000	Relief for local traders.
West Bengal	1,00,000	Increased from 50k to 1 Lakh (Dec 2023 update).
Tamil Nadu	1,00,000	For all taxable goods.
Bihar	1,00,000	Strict monitoring for amounts above this.
Punjab	1,00,000	Standard 50k applies for interstate.
Jharkhand	1,00,000	For goods strictly moving within the state.
Madhya Pradesh	1,00,000	Applies to most goods; exceptions exist.
Rajasthan	1,00,000 (State)2,00,000 (City)	Unique Rule: Limit is Rs. 2 Lakh for movement within the same city (intra-city).

States with the Standard Limit (Rs. 50,000)

If your state isn’t listed above, it likely follows the central rule. The minimum value for E-Way Bill generation remains Rs. 50,000 for intrastate movement in:

• Gujarat (The limit is 50k, but exemptions exist for certain goods/job work.)
• Uttar Pradesh
• Karnataka
• Kerala
• Haryana
• Andhra Pradesh
• Telangana
• Odisha
• All Northeastern States (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)
• Union Territories (Puducherry, Chandigarh, etc.)

Expert Tip: Always check if your specific goods (like tobacco, pan masala, or timber) fall under special categories. Some states mandate E-Way Bills for these items even if the value is below the standard limit.

When is an E-Way Bill Required? (The Checklist)

To ensure the latest compliance with waybill rules, ask yourself these three questions. If the answer is “Yes” to all, you need to generate the bill.

1. Is there a movement of goods? (By road, rail, air, or ship)
2. Is the value above the limit? (Above Rs. 50,000 usually, or your state’s specific limit)
3. Are you a registered person? (Or is the supplier registered?)

Is an E-Way Bill Required Below Rs. 50,000?

Generally, no. However, there are two major exceptions where the E-Way Bill exemption limit does not apply, and a bill is mandatory regardless of value:

1. Interstate movement of handicraft goods by dealers is exempted from GST registration.
2. Interstate movement of goods for job work.

Distance & Validity: The “Km Limit” Explained

The validity of your E-Way Bill depends directly on the distance the goods travel. Modern logistics requires precise planning, so keep these e-way bill km limit rules in mind.

• Standard Cargo: 1 Day for every 200 km.
• Extra-Large Freight (ODC): 1 Day for each 20 km.

Example: If you are shipping normal cargo 500 km, your bill is valid for 3 days (200 + 200 + 100).

Minimum Distance for Exemption

Is there a distance exemption? Yes.

• Part B Exemption: If the distance between the consignor (sender) and the transporter is less than 50 km (within the same state), you do not need to update Part B (vehicle details) immediately. However, Part A (invoice details) must still be generated.
• Non-Motorized Transport: No E-Way Bill is needed if goods are moved by non-motorized vehicles (like carts).

Critical Updates for 2026

As we move into 2026, the government has tightened systems to prevent tax evasion and improve security. Here are the key changes you must know to stay compliant this year:

1. The “180-Day” Restriction: You can no longer generate an E-Way Bill for an invoice that is older than 180 days. If you missed generating it at the time of invoice creation, you will now be blocked from doing so after six months.
2. Extension Cap: The system now caps E-Way Bill extensions. You cannot extend the validity of a bill beyond 360 days from its original generation date.
3. Mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Security is now stricter. Accessing the E-Way Bill portal now requires MFA (like an OTP) for all taxpayers to prevent unauthorized access.
4. HSN Code Enforcement: A 6-digit HSN code is now strictly mandatory for businesses with a turnover above Rs. 5 Crores. Ensure your invoicing software is updated to reflect this.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the E waybill minimum amount for interstate?

The limit is strictly Rs. 50,000. Even if your state has a higher limit (like Rs. 1 Lakh for Maharashtra), as soon as the truck crosses the state border, the central 50k limit applies.

2. How can I determine the “Consignment Value”?

The value includes the cost of goods, GST (CGST, SGST, IGST), and cess. It does not include the value of exempt goods if they are billed on the same invoice.

3. What happens if I don’t generate it?

You risk a penalty of Rs. 10,000 or the amount of tax evaded (whichever is higher). Worse, your vehicle and goods can be detained, leading to massive delays.

4. Can I edit an E-Way Bill after generation?

No, it cannot be edited. You must cancel it within 24 hours and generate a brand new one with the correct data.

5. What is the deadline to cancel an E-Way Bill?

You have strictly 24 hours from the time of generation to cancel it. It cannot be cancelled if already verified.

6. What is the penalty for not having an E-Way Bill?

You face a penalty of Rs. 10,000 or the tax amount (whichever is higher), plus detention of your vehicle and goods.

7. Do I need an E-Way Bill for used household items?

No. Moving used personal and household effects is completely exempt from E-Way Bill requirements.

8. How can I extend the validity of my E-Way Bill?

You can extend the validity within 8 hours before or after expiry by updating vehicle details with a valid reason.

9. Is an E-Way Bill required for exempt goods?

No. If you are transporting only exempt goods (like grains or milk), you do not need to generate an E-Way Bill.

10. Who is responsible for generating the E-Way Bill?

The registered sender (consignor) or receiver (consignee) must generate it. Transporters can also do it if needed.

Final Thoughts: Move Goods with Confidence

Understanding the E-way bill limit under GST isn’t just about following rules; it is about keeping your business efficient. Delays at checkposts cost money and damage reputation. By knowing your specific state limits and keeping your documentation clean, you ensure your deliveries arrive on time, every time.

Don’t let compliance worries slow you down. If you need help filing returns to unblock your E-Way Bill access or need advice on complex interstate transactions, we are here to help.

Contact TMWala Today for GST Support