E-Way Bill validity calculator
Enter the distance and get the validity period under Rule 138(10) — plus the exact expiry, which is midnight-based rather than a rolling 24 hours.
Validity is counted from when Part B is entered, and a “day” ends at midnight — not 24 hours from generation. Distance is the approximate road distance declared for the movement. Rule 138(10) also allows an extension where a consignment is delayed by genuine causes; confirm edge cases with your CA.
Provided for quick reference and general guidance. Tax rules change and edge cases exist — confirm anything consequential with your CA or the GST portal before acting on it.
How validity is actually counted
Under Rule 138(10), an E-Way Bill is valid for one day for every 200 km of the declared distance, or part thereof. So 450 km is three days, not two and a quarter — any remainder rounds up to a whole day. Over-dimensional cargo, and multimodal movement involving a ship, use a much shorter slab: one day for every 20 km or part thereof.
The detail that catches people out is what a "day" means. Validity does not run for 24 hours from generation — it runs until midnight of the following day, and each additional day extends it by another midnight. A bill generated at 11 pm therefore has barely an hour of its first day left. Planning a dispatch for late evening can quietly cost you a full day of validity.
The clock starts when Part B is entered, not when Part A is created. That distinction matters when goods are documented before a vehicle is assigned. Where a consignment is genuinely delayed, the rule allows validity to be extended — Finkitaabh tracks remaining validity, extensions and multi-leg movements and raises an alert before a bill lapses, which is the failure mode that turns a legitimate consignment into a penalty.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an E-Way Bill valid?
One day for every 200 km of declared distance, or part thereof, for regular cargo. Over-dimensional cargo and multimodal movements involving a ship get one day for every 20 km or part thereof. Any remaining distance rounds up to a full additional day.
Does validity run for 24 hours from generation?
No — this is the most common misunderstanding. A day ends at midnight. A bill generated at 11 pm has only about an hour of its first day remaining, so a late-evening dispatch effectively loses a day of validity.
When does the clock start?
From when Part B is entered, which is when transport details are furnished — not from when Part A is created. Goods documented in advance of a vehicle being assigned do not start burning validity until Part B goes in.
Can validity be extended?
Rule 138(10) permits extension where a consignment could not be moved within the original validity due to genuine causes such as a breakdown or exceptional circumstances. Extensions are made through the portal within the permitted window.
When is an E-Way Bill required at all?
Broadly, for movement of goods with a consignment value of ₹50,000 or more, subject to state-specific rules, exemptions and thresholds for intra-state movement. Confirm the position for your state and goods with your CA.
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