eWay Bill Validity, Distance & Rules Explained (2026)
By MoboSafe editorial
The eWay Bill rules decide when a bill is required and how long it stays valid. Getting the validity wrong is one of the most common reasons goods get detained in transit.
This guide explains the threshold, the distance-based validity, Part-A and Part-B, and how to extend a bill, all under the current Rule 138.
When is an eWay Bill required?
An eWay Bill is required to move goods worth more than 50,000 rupees in a single consignment. This threshold applies to inter-state movement across India.
Some states set a lower threshold for intra-state movement, and a few goods are exempt, so always confirm your state rule.
How validity is calculated by distance
For regular cargo, an eWay Bill is valid for one day for every 200 km or part of it. So up to 200 km is one day, up to 400 km is two days, and so on.
For over-dimensional cargo or multimodal shipments involving a ship, validity is one day for every 20 km. The clock starts when Part-B is first entered.
You can check any distance instantly with the free MoboSafe eWay Bill validity calculator.
Part-A vs Part-B
Part-A holds the consignment details: the GSTINs, invoice number, value and HSN code. Part-B holds the transport details: the vehicle number and transporter.
Transport details are generally needed before movement and determine the start of validity under the applicable workflow. Limited same-state first- or last-leg exceptions have specific conditions; Part-B is not a continuous GPS feed.
Extension and consolidated bills
Eligible extension requests can be submitted within eight hours before or after expiry for permitted reasons such as a breakdown. Authorised access, the required details, portal acceptance, and the 360-day outer limit apply. The post-expiry request window is not permission to continue moving goods. See the official NIC extension API.
A consolidated eWay Bill groups several bills carried in one vehicle into a single document for the driver, which is useful for transporters handling many consignments per trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the eWay Bill validity for 500 km?
For regular cargo, 500 km falls into the third distance slab, so the eWay Bill is valid for three days, since validity is one day for every 200 km or part of it.
Is an eWay Bill required below 50,000 rupees?
Generally no for inter-state movement, but some states set a lower threshold for intra-state movement, so check your state rule.
When does eWay Bill validity start?
Validity starts when Part-B, the vehicle and transport detail, is first entered, not when Part-A is created.
Can an expired eWay Bill be extended?
An eligible request can be made within eight hours after expiry, as well as eight hours before it. Permissions, valid reasons, portal acceptance, and outer limits apply. Do not treat this request window as permission to continue moving goods after expiry.
Related MoboSafe workflows
Review the documented product scope and setup requirements for these related operational tasks.
E-Way Bill Management
Manage e-way bills with GST portal connections, generation, trip links, expiry review, and eligible extension requests in MoboSafe.
Loading & Dispatch
Create loading sheets with vehicle and driver assignments, consignment items, weight checks, documents, and dispatch printouts.
Trip Management
Plan, monitor, and analyse fleet trips with vehicles, drivers, waypoints, documents, exception handling, and delivery records.
Fleet APIs & Integrations
Configure MoboSafe integrations, API access, device connections, connection tests, usage monitoring, and dashcam backup settings.