How to Generate E-way Bills through SMS?
A user can manage e-way bills either on the e-way bill portal or through SMS.
The facility to generate and manage e-way bills using SMS comes in very handy when you need to generate only a single e-way bill and/or don’t have internet access available. The facility is mainly meant for smaller taxpayers, who may not have many daily transactions that require e-way bills, and hence it may not be feasible for them to maintain the requisite IT infrastructure. However, you can use the SMS facility in case of emergencies as well, for example, if the vehicle transporting the goods breaks down and you need to update the e-way bill with the new vehicle details.
Overview of E-Way Bill via SMS
The E-Way Bill via SMS service is designed for small businesses and transporters who may not always have internet access. It is especially helpful in remote areas or emergency situations, where logging into the e-way bill portal might not be possible.
Through SMS, users can generate, cancel, or update e-way bills quickly using simple text messages from a registered mobile number.
This method is fast, easy to use, and works even on basic mobile phones.
You can do the following activities using the SMS facility:
- Generate E-Way Bill
- Cancel E-Way Bill
- Update the Transporter
- Get E-Way Bills generated by other party
- Reject E-Way Bill
- Update Vehicle Details
While the method itself is quite simple, you need to be careful that you send the SMS in exactly the right format, else the information in the e-way bill may not be correct.
In this article, we will take you through the step-by-step process of generating and managing e-way bills through SMS.
How to Register for E-Way Bills through SMS Facility
To register for the SMS facility to manage e-way bills, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Log in to the E-way bill portal and click on Registration on the left-hand side of the dashboard. Expand the drop-down and select For SMS.
Step 2: The registered mobile number under GSTIN gets displayed partially. Select Send OTP and enter the OTP generated. To proceed, click on Verify OTP.
Only mobile numbers with accounts on the website can register for the SMS service. One GSTIN can have a maximum of two mobile numbers registered against it. If your mobile number was used to generate more than one User ID, you must choose the desired User ID/username and click Submit.
SMS Format for Generating E-way bills
To generate an e-way bill on a mobile device, text 77382 99899. Each parameter must have exactly one blank space next to it, but there should be no space after the last parameter.
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| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| EWBG | Keyword to Generate E-Way Bill. |
| TranType | Type of the Transaction. |
| RecGSTIN | Recipient’s GSTIN, as provided by GST or URP for Un-Registered Person |
| DelPinCode | PIN Code of the Place of Delivery of the Goods as per Invoice |
| InvNo | Invoice or Bill Number of the Document of the goods |
| InvDate | Invoice or Bill Date of the Document of the goods |
| TotalValue | Total Invoice / Bill Value of the Goods |
| HSNCode | HSN Code of the Goods |
| ApprDist | Approximate Distance To travel between Consignor & Consignee in KMs |
| Vehicle | Vehicle Number which will carry the goods |
| EWBT | Keyword to Generate E-Way Bill for Transporter only |
| SuppGSTIN | Supplier’s GSTIN, as provided by GST or URP for Un-Registered Person |
The SMS format for E-way bill generation for transporters is:
EWBT TranType SuppGSTIN RecGSTIN DelPinCode InvNo InvDate TotalValue HSNCode ApprDist Vehicle
Each of the parameters appearing in the two formats above is described in the following table:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| EWBV | Keyword to update the vehicle number in the E-Way Bill. |
| EWB_No | 12 digit E-Way Bill number where the vehicle number needs to be updated |
| Veh_Tran_No | The registration number of the new vehicle for the transport of goods |
| ReasCode | Reason Code to indicate why the vehicle number is being added. The following codes can be used: FST – First Time Vehicle, BRK – Breakdown, TRS – Transshipment, OTH – Others |
| Mode | Numeric code to denote the mode of transportation. The codes can be any of the following: 1 – Road, 2 – Rail, 3 – Air, 4 – Ship |
Note that the SMS facility does not support parameters like ‘Bill To’ and ‘Ship To’ and the vehicle mode cannot be Over Dimensional Cargo
Parameter|Description
EWBC|Keyword to cancel an E-Way Bill
EWB_No|12 digits E-Way Bill Number which needs to be cancelled
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| EWBC | Keyword to cancel an E-Way Bill |
| EWB_No | 12 digits E-Way Bill Number which needs to be cancelled |
Note that the SMS facility does not support parameters like ‘Bill To’ and ‘Ship To’ and the vehicle mode cannot be Over Dimensional Cargo
SMS Format to Get List of E-Way Bills Generated by Others
The format to check e-way bills others have generated is as below:
EWBL Date
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| EWBL | Keyword to see E-Way Bill list by other party. It is fixed only for List by other party. |
| Date | The date for which the list of e-way bills generated by other parties is required |
Note that the SMS facility does not support parameters like ‘Bill To’ and ‘Ship To’ and the vehicle mode cannot be Over Dimensional Cargo
SMS Format to Reject E-Way Bills
The format to reject an e-way bill is as below:
EWBR EWB_NO
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| EWBR | Keyword for Rejection of E-Way Bill |
| EWB_No | 12 Digit E-Way Bill Number that is being rejected |
Note that the SMS facility does not support parameters like ‘Bill To’ and ‘Ship To’ and the vehicle mode cannot be Over Dimensional Cargo
SMS Format to Update Transporter
The SMS format to update the transporter is as below:
EWBU EWB_NO TRANSIN/GSTIN
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| EWBU | Fixed Keyword to update Transporter in E-Way Bill. |
| EWB_No | E-Way Bill Number for which the transporter has to be updated |
| TRANSIN/GSTIN | TRANSIN/GSTIN of the Transporter |
Note that the SMS facility does not support parameters like ‘Bill To’ and ‘Ship To’ and the vehicle mode cannot be Over Dimensional Cargo
SMS Format to Cancel an E-Way Bill
You can cancel an e-way bill within 24 hours of generating it—but only if the goods have not started moving. Send the SMS to the designated mobile number provided by the E-Way Bill system (varies by state). Once canceled, a confirmation message will be sent to your phone.
Points to Remember When Using SMS Facility
Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Only registered mobile numbers can use the SMS facility. You must enable it in your E-Way Bill user profile.
- Use the correct format for each action (generation, cancellation, vehicle update).
- You can only use SMS for basic operations, not advanced ones like bulk uploads or validity extension.
- Each message must be short and accurate—no typos or incorrect codes.
- Always wait for a confirmation message to ensure your action was successful.
Limitations of SMS Mode
| Limitation | Description |
|---|---|
| Limited Actions | Only supports basic tasks like generate, cancel, and vehicle update. |
| Character Limit | SMS format must be short; mistakes can cause failure. |
| No Bulk Operations | You cannot generate multiple e-way bills at once using SMS. |
| One Mobile, One User | Only the registered mobile number can use the SMS feature. |
| No Error Correction | Mistyped GSTINs or data cannot be edited after sending the SMS. |
| Delayed Response Possible | Sometimes there can be network delays or no confirmation messages. |
This mode is best suited for small-scale operations or emergency use—for large or regular movement of goods, the online portal or API is more efficient.
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Conclusion
The facility to Generate E-way bills through SMS has been introduced to help smaller taxpayers use the E-Way Bill if they don’t have the need to generate a lot of e-way bills. However, the facility is, after all, limited to generating a single or very few number of e-way bills. To generate e-way bills quickly and easily in bulk, and without going to the GST portal, you should use the BUSY E-Way Bill Software that lets you generate e-way bills automatically.
I am a chartered accountant with over 14 years of experience. I understand income tax, GST, and balancing financial records. I analyze financial statements and tax codes effectively. However, I also have a passion for writing, which is different from working with numbers. Recently, I started writing articles and blog posts. My goal is to make finance easier for everyday people to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the prerequisites for generating E-way bills through SMS?To generate E-way bills via SMS, you must register your mobile number on the E-way bill portal. Ensure your GSTIN is linked and your account has SMS-enabled permissions. Maintain an active internet connection for initial setup and accurate details for quick and seamless generation.
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Which types of transactions are eligible for E-way bill generation via SMS?Transactions involving goods transportation for both inter-state and intra-state movements can use SMS for E-way bill generation. This includes regular, outward, and inward supplies, provided the required details, like invoice and vehicle number, are available.
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Do I need to register for SMS E-way bill generation separately?Yes, you need to register separately for SMS-based E-way bill generation. Log in to the E-way bill portal, navigate to 'Registration' > 'For SMS,' and link your mobile number to the GSTIN account for activation.
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What is the format for sending SMS to generate an E-way bill?The SMS format includes specific details like transaction type, supplier GSTIN, invoice number, date, value, HSN code, and vehicle number. For example: EWB GSTIN 1 INV123 100000 01-01-2025 1234 AB12CD1234. Check the portal for the exact format based on your requirements.
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Can E-way bills for both inter-state and intra-state transport be generated using SMS?Yes, E-way bills for both inter-state and intra-state transport can be generated using SMS. Ensure you provide accurate details in the SMS format, and verify the transport type while filling in the details for seamless processing.
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What is the contact number or short code for sending SMS to generate E-way bills?Each state or zone has a specific SMS short code or number provided by the E-way bill portal. Refer to the official E-way bill portal to find the correct number for your region.
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Are there any specific fields or information required in the SMS for E-way bill generation?The SMS must include GSTIN, invoice number, invoice date, transaction type, HSN code, total value, transportation mode, and vehicle number. Accurate data is crucial for a successful e-way bill generation.
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How will I receive the E-way bill after sending the SMS?After sending the SMS, you will receive a confirmation message containing the generated E-way bill number (EWB) and its validity details. Always check for errors or incomplete information before relying on the bill.
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Can I cancel or modify an E-way bill generated through SMS?Yes, you can cancel an E-way bill generated through SMS within 24 hours if the goods were not transported. Remember, modification is not allowed; you must cancel the incorrect bill and generate a new one.