Blocking and Unblocking of E-Way Bill FAQs

If taxpayers do not file their GST returns continuously for two tax periods, the e-way bill will be blocked on the government portal. And in this blog, we will take a deeper dive into the FAQs related to blocking and unblocking e-way bill FAQs. 

Q1. What exactly is e-way bill generation blocking and unblocking? 

Ans: Blocking e-way bill generation means that the taxpayer will not be able to create e-way bills if he or she has not submitted a GST Return (GSTR-3B and CMP-08) for the previous two months or quarters. The GSTIN that has been blocked cannot be used to generate e-way bills as either a consignor or a consignee. After filing the return, unblocking implies permitting the generation of e-way bills for the GSTIN (if blocked). 

Q2. In the e-way bill system, how does blocking work? 

Ans: If taxpayers have not filed the most recent two consecutive month returns on the GST Portal, they will be barred from generating e-way bills, according to the rule. To find out the taxpayers’ filing details, the e-way Bill system will communicate with the GST Portal. 

An SMS/email is sent to the taxpayer’s registered mobile number/email address if the E-Way Bill generation facility has been blocked. You or any other user, including a Transporter, will not be able to generate e-way bills against your GSTIN during this time, whether as consignor or consignee. 

An SMS and email are delivered directly to the taxpayer whenever the status of the unblocking of the E-way billing system changes. 

Q3. What is the process of unblocking the e-way bill system? 

Ans: If a banned taxpayer files a return on the GST Portal, his GSTIN is unblocked on the e-way Bill system the next morning, allowing him to generate e-way bills. If the taxpayer wishes to create e-way bills as soon as possible after filing the Return, he can go to the e-way bill portal and pick the option ‘Search Update Block Status,’ then enter his or her GSTIN and check the status. If it is blocked, he or she can unblock it by using the update option to obtain the most recent filing status from the GST Common Portal. If the system still refuses to unlock the GSTIN for e-way bill generation, he can contact the GST Help Desk and file a complaint to have his or her matter rectified. 

Q4. Despite filing the most recent returns, I have been barred from generating e-way bills. So, what should I do now? 

Ans: If a taxpayer wishes to generate e-way bills right after filing returns, he can go to the e-way bill portal and select the option ‘Search Update Block Status,’ then input his or her GSTIN and check the status. If it is blocked, he or she can unblock it by using the update option to obtain the most recent filing status from the GST Common Portal. If the system still refuses to unblock the GSTIN for e-way bill generation, he can contact the GST Help Desk and file a complaint to get his matter rectified. 

Q5. What happens to the e-way bills that have already been generated for the blocked GSTINs that are active and in transit? 

Ans: There will be no effect/impact on the blocked GSTINs’ e-way bills that have already been created. These e-way bills are valid and may be easily transferred to the destination. And, for these e-way bills, any transporters/taxpayers, including those with blocked GSTINs, can update the vehicle and transporter details and, if necessary, apply for an extension. 

Q6. Is it possible to amend the vehicle and transporter details and, if necessary, extend the e-way bills for the e-way bills associated with the blocked GSTINs? 

Ans: E-way bills that have previously been generated and are valid can be updated with vehicle and transporter information and, if necessary, extended by the authorized stakeholder (taxpayer/transporter) in accordance with the rules. 

Q7. If Transporter Id is blocked, will the e-way bill system prevent the updating of Transporter Id? 

Ans. Yes, if he is registered for GST and has not submitted returns for the previous two months, the e-way bill system will prevent him from updating his Transporter Id. However, while generating e-way bills, there will be no issues with updating the enrolled transporter id. 

Q8. After a return is filed on the GST Portal, how long does it take to update the status on the E-Way Bill Portal to generate an E-Way Bill? 

Ans: The system removes the blocking status the next morning after the return is lodged on the GST Portal. If a taxpayer wants to update his or her status right after filing the return, he or she can go to the e-way bill portal and select the option ‘Search>Update Block Status,’ then enter his or her GSTIN and use the update option to get the most recent filing status from the GST Common Portal and unblock themselves. 

Q9. What happens if you block or unblock transporters? 

Ans: GST-registered transporters and E-way Bill-enrolled transporters are the two categories of transporters. If a GST registered transporter’s GSTIN is blocked, it can’t be utilized as a consignor, consignee, or transporter when creating an e-way bill or changing transporter information. However, because he/she is just enrolled on the e-way bill portal for the transportation of goods and not registered for GST, enrolled transporter details can be added or modified as transporter when creating e-way bills. 

Q10. Which types of non-filing of GST returns will result in the blocking of the e-way bill generation facility being disabled? 

Ans: Failure to file GSTR-3B and CMP-08 will result in the blocking of the e-way Bill generation facility. 

Q11. Is it possible for the recipient to generate an e-way bill for a blocked provider and vice versa? 

Ans. No, if a supplier or receiver is barred from generating an e-way bill, neither the supplier nor the recipient will be able to generate an e-way bill between them. 

Q12. Is it possible for a transporter to issue an e-way bill for a blocked supplier or recipient? 

Ans. No, if a supplier or recipient is blocked due to non-filing of returns, the transporter cannot create e-way bills.