CGST Rule 96: Refund of integrated tax paid on goods or services220exported out of India | Finin2min
CGST Rule 96 — Refund of integrated tax paid on goods or services220exported out of India
CGST Rules, 2017
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Source review date: 2026-07-28. Historical-period questions require the version applicable to the transaction date.
Finin2min Summary - Rule in 2 Minutes
Shipping bill is deemed export-refund application for IGST-paid goods when manifest and valid return
conditions are met. Rule 96(10) was omitted by Notification 20/2024 on 8 October 2024.
official statutory reference
96. Refund of integrated tax paid on goods or services220exported out of India.-(1) The shipping bill filed by
an exporter of goods221 shall be deemed to be an application for 219 Inserted vide Notf no. 31/2019 - CT
dt. 28.06.2019wef 01.07.2019 220 Inserted wef 23.10.2017 vide Notf no. 75/2017-CT dt. 29.12.2017 221
Substituted for the words “an exporter”w.e.f 23.10.2017 vide Notf no. 03/2018-CT dt. 23.01.2018 refund of
integrated tax paid on the goods exported out of India and such application shall be deemed to have been
filed only when:- (a) the person in charge of the conveyance carrying the export goods duly files a departure
manifest or222 an export manifest or an export report covering the number and the date of shipping bills or
bills of export; and (b) the applicant has furnished a valid return in FORM GSTR-3or FORM GSTR-3B, as
the case may be; (2) The details of the relevant export invoices in respect of export of goods223 contained
in FORM GSTR-1 shall be transmitted electronically by the common portal to the system designated by the
Customs and the said system shall electronically transmit to the common portal, a confirmation that the
goods covered by the said invoices have been exported out of India. Provided that where the date for
furnishing the details of outward supplies in FORM GSTR-1 for a tax period has been extended in exercise
of the powers conferred under section 37 of the Act, the supplier shall furnish the information relating to
exports as specified in Table 6A of FORM GSTR-1 after the return in FORM GSTR-3B has been furnished
and the same shall be transmitted electronically by the common portal to the system designated by the
Customs: Provided further that the information in Table 6A furnished under the first proviso shall be auto-
drafted in FORM GSTR-1 for the said tax period.224 (3) Upon the receipt of the information regarding the
furnishing of a valid return in FORM GSTR-3or FORM GSTR-3B, as the case may befrom the common
portal, the system designated by the Customs or the proper officer of Customs, as the case may be, shall
process the claim of refund in respect of export of goods225 and an amount equal to the integrated tax paid
in respect of each shipping bill or bill of export shall be electronically credited to the bank account of the
applicant mentioned in his registration particulars and as intimated to the Customs authorities. (4) The claim
for refund shall be withheld where,- (a) a request has been received from the jurisdictional Commissioner of
central tax, State tax or Union territory tax to withhold the payment of refund due to the person claiming
refund in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (10) or sub-section (11) of section 54; or (b) the
proper officer of Customs determines that the goods were exported in violation of the provisions of the
Customs Act, 1962. 222 Inserted vide Notf no. 74/2018-CT dt. 31.12.2018 223 Substituted for the words ‗‘
relevant export invoices” w.e.f.23.10.2017 vide Notf no. 03/2018-CT dt. 23.01.2018 224 Inserted vide Notf
no. 51/2017 - CT dt. 28.10.2017 225 Substituted for the words “the system designated by the Customs
shall process the claim for refund” w.e.f 23.10.2017 videNotf no.03/2018-CT dt. 23.01.2018 (5) Where refund
is withheld in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) of sub-rule (4), the proper officer of integrated tax
at the Customs station shall intimate the applicant and the jurisdictional Commissioner of central tax, State
tax or Union territory tax, as the case may be, and a copy of such intimation shall be transmitted to the
common portal. (6) Upon transmission of the intimation under sub-rule (5), the proper officer of central tax or
State tax or Union territory tax, as the case may be, shall pass an order in Part A226 of FORM GST RFD-07.
(7) Where the applicant becomes entitled to refund of the amount withheld under clause (a) of sub-rule (4),
the concerned jurisdictional officer of central tax, State tax or Union territory tax, as the case may be, shall
proceed to refund the amount by passing an order in FORM GST RFD-06 after passing an order for release
of withheld refund in Part B of FORM GST RFD- 07.227 (8) The Central Government may pay refund of the
integrated tax to the Government of Bhutan on the exports to Bhutan for such class of goods as may be
notified in this behalf and where such refund is paid to the Government of Bhutan, the exporter shall not be
paid any refund of the integrated tax. (9) The application for refund of integrated tax paid on the services
exported out of India shall be filed in FORM GST RFD-01 and shall be dealt with in accordance with the
provisions of rule 89228 (10) The persons claiming refund of integrated tax paid on exports of goods or
services should not have - (a) received supplies on which the benefit of the Government of India, Ministry of
Finance notification No. 48/2017-Central Tax, dated the 18th October, 2017, published in the Gazette of
India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1305 (E), dated the 18th October,
2017 except so far it relates to receipt of capital goods by such person against Export Promotion Capital
Goods Scheme or notification No. 40/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 23rd October, 2017, published in
the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1320 (E), dated the
23rd October, 2017 or notification No. 41/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 23rd October, 2017,
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1321
(E), dated the 23rd October, 2017 has been availed; or (b) availed the benefit under notification No. 78/2017-
Customs, dated the 13th October, 2017, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3,
Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1272(E), dated the 13th October, 2017 or notification No. 79/2017-
Customs, dated the 13th October, 2017, published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3,
Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1299 (E), dated the 13th October, 2017 except so far it 226 Substituted
for the word and letter “Part B” vide Notf no. 15/2021-CT dt. 18.05.2021 227 Substituted for the word and
letter “after passing an order in FORM GST RFD-06” vide Notf no. 15/2021- CT dt. 18.05.2021 228 Inserted
wef 23.10.2017 vide Notf no. 75/2017-CT dt. 29.12.2017 relates to receipt of capital goods by such person
against Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme.229230231 229 Substituted vide Notf no. 54/2018-CT dt.
09.10.2018 for: “(10)The persons claiming refund of integrated tax paid on exports of goods or services
should not have received supplies on which the supplier has availed the benefit of the Government of India,
Ministry of Finance, notification No. 48/2017-Central Tax, dated the 18th October, 2017, published in the
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1305 (E), dated the
18th October, 2017 or notification No. 40/2017-Central Tax (Rate) dated the 23rd October, 2017, published
in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1320 (E), dated
the 23rd October, 2017 or notification No. 41/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 23rd October, 2017,
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1321
(E), dated the 23rd October, 2017 or notification No. 78/2017-Customs, dated the 13th October, 2017,
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R
1272(E), dated the 13th October, 2017 or notification No. 79/2017-Customs, dated the 13th October, 2017,
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1299
(E) dated the 13th October, 2017.” 230 Substituted w.e.f 23.10.2017 Notf no. 53/2018-CT dt. 09.10.2018 for:
“(10) The persons claiming refund of integrated tax paid on exports of goods or services should not have -
(a) received supplies on which the benefit of the Government of India, Ministry of Finance notification No.
48/2017-Central Tax, dated the 18th October, 2017 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II,
Section 3, Sub-section (i),vide number G.S.R 1305 (E), dated the 18th October, 2017 or notification No.
40/2017-Central Tax (Rate), dated the 23rd October, 2017 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary,
Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i),vide number G.S.R 1320 (E), dated the 23 rd October, 2017 or notification
No. 41/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate), dated the 23rd October, 2017 published in the Gazette of India,
Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1321 (E), dated the 23 rd October, 2017
has been availed; or (b) availed the benefit under notification No. 78/2017-Customs, dated the 13th October,
2017 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R
1272(E), dated the 13th October, 2017 or notification No. 79/2017-Customs, dated the 13th October, 2017
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i),videnumber G.S.R 1299
(E), dated the 13 th October, 2017.” 231 Substituted w.e.f 23.10.2017, vide Notf no. 39/2018-CT dt.
04.09.2018 for: “(10) The persons claiming refund of integrated tax paid on exports of goods or services
should not have received supplies on which the supplier has availed the benefit of the Government of India,
Ministry of Finance, notification No. 48/2017-Central Tax dated the 18th October, 2017 published in the
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1305 (E) dated the
18th October, 2017 or notification No. 40/2017-Central Tax (Rate) 23rd October, 2017 published in the
Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1320 (E) dated the
23rd October, 2017 or notification No. 41/2017-Integrated Tax (Rate) dated the 23rd October, 2017
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R 1321
(E) dated the 23rd October, 2017 or notification No. 78/2017-Customs dated the 13th October, 2017
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R
1272(E) dated the 13th October, 2017 or notification No. 79/2017- Customs dated the 13th October, 2017
published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub- section (i), vide number G.S.R 1299
(E) dated the 13th October, 2017.” The above text was substituted w.e.f 23.10.2017 vide Notf no. 03/2018-
CT dt. 23.01.2018. Till then it read as: (9) The persons claiming refund of integrated tax paid on export of
goods or services should not have received supplies on which the supplier has availed the benefit of
notification No. 48/2017-Central Tax dated 18th October, 2017 or notification No. 40/2017-Central Tax (Rate)
dated 23rd October, 2017 or notification No. 41/2017- Integrated Tax (Rate) dated 23rd October, 2017.
Explanation.- For the purpose of this sub-rule, the benefit of the notifications mentioned therein shall not be
considered to have been availed only where the registered person has paid Integrated Goods and Services
Tax and Compensation Cess on inputs and has availed exemption of only Basic Customs Duty (BCD) under
the said notifications.232 96A. Export233 of goods or services under bond or Letter of Undertaking.-(1) Any
registered person availing the option to supply goods or services for export without payment of integrated tax
shall furnish, prior to export, a bond or a Letter of Undertaking in FORM GST RFD-11 to the jurisdictional
Commissioner, binding himself to pay the tax due along with the interest specified under sub-section (1) of
section 50 within a period of - (a) fifteen days after the expiry of three months234, or such further period as
may be allowed by the Commissioner, from the date of issue of the invoice for export, if the goods are not
exported out of India; or (b) fifteen days after the expiry of one year, or such further period as may be
allowed by the Commissioner, from the date of issue of the invoice for export, if the payment of such
services is not received by the exporter in convertible foreign exchange or in Indian rupees, wherever
permitted by the Reserve Bank of India235. (2) The details of the export invoices contained in FORM
GSTR-1 furnished on the common portal shall be electronically transmitted to the system designated by
Customs and a confirmation that the goods covered by the said invoices have been exported out of India
shall be electronically transmitted to the common portal from the said system. Provided that where the date
for furnishing the details of outward supplies in FORM GSTR-1 for a tax period has been extended in
exercise of the powers conferred under section 37 of the Act, the supplier shall furnish the information
relating to exports as specified in Table 6A of FORM GSTR-1 after the return in FORM GSTR-3B has been
furnished and the same shall be transmitted electronically by the common portal to the system designated
by the Customs: Provided further that the information in Table 6A furnished under the first proviso shall be
auto-drafted in FORM GSTR-1 for the said tax period.236 (3) Where the goods are not exported within the
time specified in sub-rule (1) and the registered person fails to pay the amount mentioned in the said sub-
rule, the export as allowed under bond or Letter of Undertaking shall be withdrawn forthwith and the said
amount shall be recovered from the registered person in accordance with the provisions of section 79. (4)
The export as allowed under bond or Letter of Undertaking withdrawn in terms of sub- rule (3) shall be
restored immediately when the registered person pays the amount due. 232 Inserted vide Notf no. 16/2020-
CT dt.23.03.2020 wef 23.10.2017 233 Substituted vide Notf no. 03/2019-CT dt. 29.01.2019 wef 01.02.2019
for “Refund of integrated tax paid on export” 234 Inserted vide Notf no. 47/2017-CT dt. 18.10.2017 235
Inserted vide Notf no. 03/2019-CT dt. 29.01.2019 wef 01.02.2019 236 Inserted vide Notf no. 51/2017-CT dt.
28.10.2017 (5) The Board, by way of notification, may specify the conditions and safeguards under which a
Letter of Undertaking may be furnished in place of a bond. (6) The provisions of sub rule (1) shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, in respect of zero-rated supply of goods or services or both to a Special Economic Zone
developer or a Special Economic Zone unit without payment of integrated tax.”;
Paragraph-wise decode
Shipping bill is deemed export-refund application for IGST-paid goods when manifest and valid return conditions are met. Rule 96(10) was omitted by Notification 20/2024 on 8 October 2024.
Section-Rule-Form-Notification bridge
No direct Rule certified in Repository module. Check notifications, circulars, forms and corresponding State law.
The mapping is a legal concordance, not a round-robin related-link list. It is limited to instruments listed in this repository.
Practical example
Apply the rule to the relevant form, period, portal event and evidence trail before reaching a compliance conclusion.
Professional alert
Verify the latest official active Rule page, amending Gazette and portal version before filing or advising.
Implementation checklist
- Fix the transaction, taxable period and jurisdiction.
- Read every subsection, proviso, explanation and omission marker.
- Open the mapped Rule, form, notification and circular.
- Test State/UT variation and portal version.
- Preserve evidence, approvals, working papers and acknowledgements.
- Record the conclusion, assumptions, source date and reviewer.
Evidence and retention checklist
- Contract, purchase order, invoice or underlying transaction document.
- Registration, return, ledger, challan and portal acknowledgement.
- Official Act/Rule/notification version used and effective date.
- Internal tax position paper, computation and management approval.
- Correspondence, notices, replies, orders and appeal papers where applicable.
Practical Q&A
- What does rule 96 regulate?
- It regulates refund of integrated tax paid on goods or services220exported out of india. Read the exact text, conditions, exceptions and transaction date together.
- Which subordinate law should be checked?
- No direct CGST Rule has been listed in this repository. Notifications, circulars, forms and the corresponding SGST/UTGST layer may also apply.
- What evidence should be retained?
- Preserve the contract or transaction record, invoice or form, portal acknowledgement, payment/ledger evidence, correspondence, legal working and the official source version used.
- Can portal behaviour override the statute?
- No. Portal functionality is operational evidence; legal entitlement and liability remain controlled by the Act, Rules, notifications and binding decisions.
Repository module professional rule control
Legal state: Current controlled · Checked: 27 July 2026. Current legal/release state is controlled by the Repository module master; read the official statutory reference and amendment history together.
Why Rule 96 matters
Refund of integrated tax paid on goods or services220exported out of India should be read with its enabling CGST Act provision, prescribed forms, amendment notification, transaction date and the live portal workflow. The operative-text block already released on this page remains the legal core; Repository module adds application controls without altering that block.
Rule → Form → evidence bridge
- Confirm the Rule version that was operative on the relevant date.
- Check every proviso, explanation, inserted/omitted sub-rule and commencement notification.
- Use the current prescribed form/portal utility rather than a saved legacy template.
- Preserve the Rule source, filing/approval evidence, computation and decision-maker trail.
Finin2min decision path
- Trigger: What transaction, registration event, return, credit, valuation, refund, appeal or enforcement event activates this Rule?
- Date: Which Rule version and amendment notification applied on that date?
- Conditions: Have every mandatory condition and exception been tested?
- Form/portal: Is the prescribed form or electronic workflow the correct current version?
- Evidence: Can the conclusion be reconstructed from books, invoices, portal records and official sources?
Practical cases
Transaction test
Fix the tax period, legal trigger and effective version of the Rule.
Portal execution
Reconcile portal fields to the legal rule and retain the generated acknowledgement/order.
Dispute readiness
Preserve source version, computation and evidence so the position can be defended later.
Accounting, ERP and portal controls
- Do not let an ERP default or portal auto-population override the legal Rule.
- Map the Rule trigger to the correct tax period and retain before/after reconciliation where values change.
- Archive ARN, acknowledgements, generated PDFs, payment/ledger records, notices and orders where applicable.
Notice and litigation risk
- Separate a portal mismatch from a statutory breach; they are not automatically the same issue.
- Identify whether a circular/instruction is clarificatory or whether an amendment changed the Rule itself.
- Apply judicial hierarchy: Supreme Court → jurisdictional High Court → other High Courts → GSTAT; AAR/AAAR is not universal precedent.
Common mistakes
- Using today's Rule for an older transaction without an effective-date test.
- Reading a form instruction as if it overrides the Act or Rule.
- Ignoring State/UT procedural overlays where the Rule requires a local notification or officer action.
- Treating a source-gated local reproduction as cleared statutory text.
Finin2min Q&A
- What does CGST Rule 96 deal with?
- Refund of integrated tax paid on goods or services220exported out of India. Start with the operative Rule version and then test the connected Act provision, forms and amendments.
- Which GST form is connected to Rule 96?
- GSTR-1, GSTR-1A, GSTR-3B, RFD-01 The Rule and live portal workflow control.
- Can I rely only on the GST portal?
- No. Portal functionality is execution infrastructure; legal eligibility and consequences come from the Act, Rules and valid instruments.
- What should I keep on file?
- The official Rule version used, amendment/effective-date evidence, underlying transaction records, computation, portal submission and resulting acknowledgement/order.