GST invoice format for a merchant exporter (spices, tea, dry fruit)
A merchant exporter buys goods from Indian suppliers and ships them abroad, so its export invoice must satisfy both GST and customs. Beyond the basics, it should say 'supply meant for export under LUT without payment of IGST' or 'with payment of IGST', show the overseas buyer's name and address, port of loading, shipping bill number and date, invoice currency and exchange rate, and the Incoterm. Where goods were bought at the concessional 0.1% rate, keep the supplier invoice references for the export proof.
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Sample prices are illustrative. Check the GST rate for your exact item or service before billing.
Extra fields a merchant exporter invoice needs
Export declaration
Rule 46 requires an export invoice to carry 'Supply meant for export on payment of integrated tax' or 'supply meant for export under bond or letter of undertaking without payment of integrated tax'. Without it, refunds stall.
Port of loading and shipping bill
Refund of IGST or unutilised credit is matched against the shipping bill. Port code and shipping bill number and date link your GST invoice to the customs record.
Currency, rate and Incoterm
Exports are priced in USD, EUR or AED on FOB or CIF terms. The currency, conversion rate and Incoterm on the invoice determine the rupee taxable value reported in GSTR-1.
Consignee and notify party
Overseas buyers often name a separate consignee or notify party. Showing both prevents mismatches with the bill of lading.
IEC and AD code
Customs requires the importer-exporter code, and banks track proceeds by the authorised dealer code. Printing both helps the CHA and bank process documents.
Supplier 0.1% invoice references
When you buy goods at 0.1% from domestic suppliers for export, they need proof of export from you. Recording their invoice numbers lets you send the shipping bill to the right supplier.
Standard GST invoice fields
Rule 46 of the CGST Rules applies to every tax invoice, including this one:
✓Supplier name, address and GSTIN
✓Consecutive invoice number (max 16 characters, unique for the year)
Exports are zero-rated under section 16 of the IGST Act. A merchant exporter can file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) each year and export without paying IGST, then claim a refund of accumulated input tax credit; or pay IGST on the export invoice and get that IGST refunded automatically once the shipping bill and GSTR-1 match. The sample lines here carry the domestic schedule rate of 5% for these spices, tea and cashew, which is what you pay on the IGST route; on the LUT route the same invoice shows the rate with tax nil and the LUT reference.
Buying at 0.1% for export
Under the concessional scheme for merchant exporters (Notification 40/2017-Central Tax (Rate) and its IGST counterpart), a registered supplier can sell to a registered merchant exporter at 0.1% GST, provided the goods are exported within 90 days of the supplier's invoice, the exporter is registered with an export promotion council or commodity board, the goods move directly to the port or a registered warehouse, and the exporter quotes the supplier's GSTIN and invoice on the shipping bill. Miss any condition and the supplier owes tax at full rate, which they will pass back to you.
Foreign currency and the rupee value
GST is reported in rupees. Convert the foreign-currency value at the rate under customs rules on the date of the shipping bill and print it on the invoice, so the taxable value in GSTR-1 matches the shipping bill. Exchange differences on realisation later do not require a GST credit or debit note.
Refund of input tax credit on LUT exports
When you export under LUT, GST paid on your domestic purchases of goods and on services like freight forwarding, CHA and warehousing builds up as unused credit. You can claim it as a refund of unutilised input tax credit through Form RFD-01, using the formula in Rule 89(4) that compares zero-rated turnover with total turnover. Keep invoices, shipping bills and bank realisation certificates ready, because the refund officer checks export proceeds as well as the shipping data.
Commodity board registrations
Spices exports require registration with the Spices Board, tea with the Tea Board and cashew with the Cashew Export Promotion Council. Besides being a trade requirement, this registration is a condition for buying at 0.1%, so print it on export documents.
Common billing mistakes
✕Omitting the LUT or 'with payment of IGST' declaration, which holds up the refund.
✕Exporting goods bought at 0.1% after the 90-day window, making the supplier liable for full tax.
✕Using the bank's realisation rate instead of the shipping-bill rate for the GST value.
✕Not quoting the supplier's GSTIN and invoice number on the shipping bill for 0.1% purchases.
Merchant exporter GST invoice: FAQ
Should I export under LUT or pay IGST?
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LUT avoids blocking cash in IGST but requires a refund claim for unused credit. Paying IGST gives an automated refund once the shipping bill and return match. Many exporters choose by working capital and refund speed.
What GST rate applies to spices for domestic purchase?
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Pepper (0904), cardamom (0908) and many seeds and spices are in the 5% schedule. Under the merchant-exporter scheme you can buy them at 0.1% if the conditions are met.
Is my export invoice the same as the commercial invoice?
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Many exporters use one document for both, as long as it carries the GST fields and the customs fields. Some keep separate ones; the values must still match.
Do I need a separate invoice for samples sent abroad?
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Free samples sent abroad still need an export invoice or delivery challan for customs. If you export under LUT, the invoice should still show the LUT declaration. Samples given without consideration may require credit reversal on related inputs, so record them separately.
How long do I have to export under LUT?
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Goods exported under LUT should leave India within three months of the invoice, or IGST becomes payable with interest.