The Classic Partners LLP

GST Refund of Goods

End-to-end GST refund services for exporters of goods, merchant exporters, EOUs, and SEZ suppliers across India. Our Chartered Accountants handle refund of IGST paid on exports, refund of unutilised ITC under LUT, and recovery of blocked working capital through accurate RFD-01 filings under Section 54 of the CGST Act.

Claim My GST Refund

What is GST Refund of Goods?

GST refund of goods refers to the recovery of GST paid on the export of goods or on accumulated input tax credit relating to exported goods. Exports of goods are treated as zero-rated supplies under Section 16 of the IGST Act, allowing exporters to either export with payment of IGST and claim a refund, or export under a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) without paying IGST and claim refund of unutilised ITC.

Refunds are filed online in Form RFD-01 under Section 54 of the CGST Act read with Rule 89 of the CGST Rules, and processed by the jurisdictional tax officer. Timely refund filing is critical for cash flow because exporters lock significant working capital in GST while waiting for proceeds from overseas customers.

Who Can Claim GST Refund of Goods?

Exporters of goods who pay IGST on exports and claim refund of the same.
Exporters operating under LUT/bond who claim refund of unutilised input tax credit.
Merchant exporters who procure goods at the concessional rate of 0.1% under Notification 40/2017.
Suppliers to SEZ units / SEZ developers — deemed zero-rated supply.
Deemed export suppliers — supplies to EOUs, against advance authorisation, EPCG, etc.
Taxpayers with refund of excess balance in Electronic Cash Ledger.

Our GST Refund Services for Exporters of Goods

IGST Refund on Exports

Automatic IGST refund tracking through ICEGATE-GSTN integration for shipping-bill exports.

LUT-Based ITC Refund

Refund of accumulated ITC on inputs and input services used in zero-rated exports.

SEZ & Deemed Exports

Refunds for supplies to SEZ units and deemed-export categories under Section 147 notifications.

Inverted Duty Refund

Refund where input GST rate exceeds output rate. See Inverted Duty Structure.

Deficiency Memo Reply

Handling of RFD-03 deficiency memos and re-submission of complete refund applications.

Refund Order & Interest

Follow-up till RFD-06 final order and recovery of interest under Section 56 for delays beyond 60 days.

GST Refund Process for Goods Exporters

Step 1 — Eligibility & period selection: identify the relevant tax period and refund category (IGST paid, LUT, inverted, SEZ, deemed export).
Step 2 — Reconciliation: match GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, shipping bills, FIRCs / BRCs, and EGM data.
Step 3 — Statement preparation: prepare Statement 1 to 5A as applicable under Rule 89 of CGST Rules.
Step 4 — Filing RFD-01: upload supporting documents and submit refund application online.
Step 5 — Acknowledgement & provisional refund: RFD-02 acknowledgement and 90% provisional refund within 7 days (RFD-04).
Step 6 — Final order: RFD-06 sanction order within 60 days; interest at 6% if delayed.

Documents Required for GST Refund on Goods

Copies of shipping bills, bills of export, and EGM (Export General Manifest).
Bank Realisation Certificates (BRC) / Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates (FIRC).
Filed GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for the refund period.
Tax invoices, debit/credit notes related to exports.
Statement of inward supplies and ITC ledger.
Declaration of non-prosecution, undertaking, and CA certificate (where applicable).

Why Choose The Classic Partners

Specialised export refund team with knowledge of ICEGATE, DGFT, and customs procedures.
Reconciliation-first approach — see GSTR-2B Reconciliation for clean ITC base.
Full GST suite — from registration to refund and assessments.
Notice and recovery support for refund rejections, deficiency memos, and appeals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time limit to claim GST refund on exported goods?

Refund must be claimed within 2 years from the relevant date as defined in Explanation to Section 54 of the CGST Act. For exports of goods, the relevant date is the date of dispatch of the goods (date of shipment) by the carrier from India.

What is the difference between LUT-based refund and IGST refund?

Under LUT, exporters do not pay IGST on exports and instead claim refund of unutilised ITC. Under IGST refund, exporters pay IGST on the export and claim it back automatically — the refund is processed via ICEGATE based on shipping bill data and matched GSTR-1/GSTR-3B filings.

How long does it take to receive a GST refund?

A provisional refund of 90% must be sanctioned within 7 days of acknowledgement (RFD-04), and the final refund order (RFD-06) must be issued within 60 days from the date of filing the complete application. If delayed beyond 60 days, interest at 6% per annum is payable under Section 56.

Can I claim refund if I have not filed GSTR-1 or GSTR-3B?

No. The refund application can only be processed if the underlying GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for the period have been filed. Mismatches between shipping bills and GST returns are the most common reason for refund holds.

Can merchant exporters claim GST refund?

Yes. Merchant exporters who procure goods at the concessional rate of 0.1% under Notification 40/2017-CT (Rate) can claim refund of the GST paid on their inward supplies attributable to exports made under LUT.

What happens if my refund application is rejected?

If the refund is partly or fully rejected through Form RFD-06, you can either re-file (where deficiency is curable) or file an appeal under Section 107 before the Appellate Authority within 3 months. Our team also assists with GST appeals.

Unlock Your Blocked Export Working Capital

Get expert support for accurate, timely GST refund filings and recovery of IGST and accumulated ITC.