GST Refund of Goods · Panaji, Goa
GST refund on export of goods in Goa — IGST paid refund via shipping bill linkage, ITC refund on zero-rated exports under LUT, Form RFD-01 filing, and refund tracking by qualified Chartered Accountants in Panaji.
Overview
Under GST, export of goods is a zero-rated supply — the exporter either pays IGST and claims a refund, or exports under a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) without paying IGST and claims a refund of accumulated ITC. Both routes are governed by Section 16 of the IGST Act and Rules 89–97 of the CGST Rules. The refund is processed through the ICEGATE system (for IGST route) or through the GST portal via Form RFD-01 (for ITC refund route).
The IGST refund route (paying IGST on exports and claiming it back) is automated — the refund is triggered when the shipping bill data on ICEGATE is matched with the GSTR-1 invoice data and the export proceeds are realised. However, mismatches in invoice number, taxable value, or port code between the shipping bill and GSTR-1 are the most common cause of refund failures. Our GSTR-1 filing service ensures export invoices are reported correctly, and our refund practice tracks every pending refund to disbursement.
What we cover
IGST refund via ICEGATE and ITC refund via RFD-01 — from application to bank credit.
Talk to our CA →Where IGST is paid on export of goods, the refund is auto-processed when: the shipping bill is filed on ICEGATE; the export invoice is reported in GSTR-1 with correct shipping bill details; and the export proceeds are realised within the RBI-prescribed period. We verify the data match between shipping bill and GSTR-1 before filing.
Filing the Letter of Undertaking (Form RFD-11) on the GST portal by 31 March of the financial year — enabling goods to be exported without paying IGST. The LUT undertakes payment of IGST if the goods are not exported within 3 months.
Where goods are exported under LUT, the accumulated ITC on inputs used for the exported goods is refunded via Form RFD-01 on the GST portal. The refund amount is computed using the formula under Rule 89(4): (Export Turnover × Net ITC) ÷ Adjusted Total Turnover.
Identifying and resolving discrepancies between shipping bill data on ICEGATE and GSTR-1 export invoice data — the most common cause of stuck IGST refunds. Amendments in GSTR-1 and corresponding corrections on ICEGATE are coordinated.
Preparing and filing Form RFD-01 with all required annexures — Statement 3 (ITC refund for zero-rated exports), supporting documents, GSTR-2B verification, and undertaking — within 2 years of the relevant date.
Tracking refund applications from ARN generation to disbursement; responding to deficiency memos (Form RFD-03) and provisional or final refund orders; and escalating to the Refund Sanctioning Authority if disbursement is delayed beyond 60 days.
Two export refund routes
Pay IGST on export invoice → file GSTR-1 with shipping bill details → ICEGATE auto-processes refund to bank. Automated but requires perfect data matching.
File LUT → export without IGST → accumulated ITC refunded via RFD-01. Preferred by frequent exporters for better cash flow.
GST refund applications must be filed within 2 years from the 'relevant date' — for exports, this is the date on which the return of export proceeds is received.
The refund sanctioning authority must pass the refund order within 60 days of a complete RFD-01 application. Interest at 6% p.a. applies on delayed refunds.
Frequently asked questions
Route 1 (IGST Route): The exporter pays IGST on the export invoice and claims a refund. The refund is auto-processed when the shipping bill data on ICEGATE matches the GSTR-1 export invoice data and the bank realisation is received. Route 2 (LUT Route): The exporter files a Letter of Undertaking and exports without paying IGST. The accumulated ITC on inputs used in exported goods is then refunded via Form RFD-01 on the GST portal.
The automated IGST refund process fails when there is a mismatch between: the shipping bill invoice number and the GSTR-1 invoice number; the taxable value on the shipping bill and the GSTR-1; the EGM (Export General Manifest) not filed by the shipping line; export proceeds not realised within 9 months (extendable to 15 months with RBI permission); or GSTR-3B not filed for the period. Each of these causes must be identified and resolved separately.
Rule 89(4) provides the formula: Refund Amount = (Export Turnover of Goods × Net ITC) ÷ Adjusted Total Turnover. 'Net ITC' is the ITC availed on inputs and input services (excluding ITC on capital goods) in the period. 'Adjusted Total Turnover' is total turnover minus turnover of exempt supplies and turnover attracting reverse charge. The formula ensures only the proportionate ITC attributable to exports is refunded.
For IGST paid on exports (direct shipping bill route), the relevant date is the date on which the return of export proceeds is received in India. For LUT-route exports claiming accumulated ITC refund, the relevant date is the end of the quarter in which the refund claim arises. For goods remaining outside India (e.g., sales from a consignment export), the relevant date is the date of payment of tax. Applications must be filed within 2 years of the relevant date.
A deficiency memo is issued by the GST officer when the RFD-01 application is incomplete or contains errors — for example, missing Statement 3 annexure, incorrect turnover figures, or GSTR-1 data mismatch. The applicant must re-file a fresh RFD-01 after rectifying the deficiency — the original application is treated as if it was never filed. The new application date resets the 60-day processing clock. Responding to deficiency memos promptly prevents further delays.
Yes. Section 56 of the CGST Act provides that if the refund is not sanctioned within 60 days of a complete and correct RFD-01 application, the government must pay interest at 6% per annum for the period of delay. Where the refund is withheld without a proper order (beyond 60 days), the interest rate increases to 9% per annum. Interest on delayed refunds must be specifically claimed in the refund application or by filing a representation with the jurisdictional Commissioner.
Related services
Delayed GST refunds lock up working capital. Our qualified CAs in Panaji, Goa identify every mismatch, file RFD-01 correctly, respond to deficiency memos, and track every rupee to your bank account.