GST e-invoice
IRN
A GST e-invoice is an Indian business-to-business invoice reported to the Invoice Registration Portal. The portal returns a unique Invoice Reference Number and a signed QR code.
What it is
Under India's Goods and Services Tax, e-invoicing is a system in which a supplier reports specified invoices, credit notes and debit notes to a government Invoice Registration Portal. The portal validates the data and returns an Invoice Reference Number, or IRN, with a digitally signed QR code. The invoice is still created in the supplier's own software. The e-invoice is that same invoice in a standard, registered form.
How it works in practice
The supplier's system prepares the invoice in the notified schema, with supplier and recipient GSTINs, document number and date, item lines with service or goods codes, taxable values and tax amounts. It is sent to the portal directly or through a GST Suvidha Provider. The response includes the IRN, an acknowledgement number and date, and the signed QR code, which is printed on the invoice. Cancellation is allowed only within a limited period.
Why it matters
Whether a business must issue e-invoices depends on turnover thresholds and exemptions that the government has revised over time, so the current notifications should be checked. Where it applies, an invoice without a valid IRN is not treated as a proper tax invoice, which can affect the recipient's input tax credit. Shipping agents and forwarders raise many invoices per vessel, making registration at the time of invoicing practical.
Official sourceGST e-invoice portal
In Sailix
How Sailix handles it
Sailix can file an existing export or import invoice as a GST e-invoice. A check step runs the mapping and validation without contacting the portal and lists anything that would block it. Generation goes through a GST Suvidha Provider gateway, and Sailix stores the IRN, acknowledgement number and date, and signed QR code. A history tab lists every e-invoice with a PDF download.
- GST e-invoicingTurn export and import invoices into GST e-invoices: check the payload, raise the IRN through a GSP, and download the PDF with the signed QR code.
- Export invoicingBill export charges against the booking and B/L, split prepaid from collect, and hold B/L issue until the invoice is receipted or approved.
- Import invoicingRaise import invoices from the B/L with charges and tax prefilled, and keep detention and M&R invoices alongside.
Related terms
- UAE VAT and TRNUAE VAT is the value added tax charged on most goods and services in the United Arab Emirates. A TRN is the number that identifies a VAT-registered business.
- Terminal handling chargeA terminal handling charge is a fee the carrier collects from the shipper or consignee. It recovers the cost of handling a container at the port terminal.
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