GST Refunds (Export & Inverted)

Overview

About this Service

GST refunds are one of the largest sources of working capital for exporters and inverted-duty businesses. Yet many refund applications get stuck in deficiency memos, audit queries, or simply incomplete documentation. Our team has secured over ₹100 crore of refunds for clients across multiple categories.

We handle every refund category — Export with payment of IGST (route 1), Export under LUT without payment (route 2), Inverted Duty Structure, Deemed Exports, refund of accumulated ITC, refund on account of orders/decrees — plus all post-filing communication with the proper officer.

Definition

What is a GST Refund?

Under GST law, refunds arise when input tax credit accumulates faster than output tax liability — most commonly because of zero-rated exports, or because raw material GST rate exceeds finished goods GST rate (inverted duty structure). The accumulated ITC is refunded in cash through Form RFD-01 on the GST portal.

Refund timelines are statutory — the proper officer must process within 60 days, with 90% of the refund payable provisionally to exporters within 7 days for route-2 exports.

Eligibility

Who Should Avail This Service?

Exporters of goods and services (route 1 with IGST or route 2 under LUT)
Suppliers to SEZ units / SEZ developers
Manufacturers facing inverted duty structure (output GST rate < input GST rate)
Deemed exporters under notified categories
Casual and non-resident taxable persons (refund of advance tax)
Persons holding excess balance in electronic cash ledger

Benefits

Key Benefits

Significant working capital release
Provisional refund of 90% within 7 days for LUT exports
Recovery of otherwise blocked ITC in inverted duty cases
Interest @ 6% per annum if refund delayed beyond 60 days
Improved cash flow for reinvestment in business
Specialist drafting of refund reply to deficiency memos
Complete documentation trail for audit defence

Documentation

Documents Required

Form RFD-01 with statement of relevant invoices
Letter of Undertaking (LUT) for exports without IGST payment
Shipping Bills with EGM filed (for goods exports)
Bank Realisation Certificates (BRC) for service exports
Self-declaration that refund has not been claimed earlier
ITC ledger and turnover reconciliation
GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-2B for the refund period
CA / Cost Accountant certification (where refund > ₹2 lakh)

Validity & Timelines

Refund application must be filed within 2 years from the relevant date (date of export, payment of tax, etc.). Proper officer must process within 60 days; otherwise interest is payable.

Why EXPORTAS

Why Choose EXPORTAS for GST Refunds (Export & Inverted)?

Two-decade combined expertise across DGFT, Customs, GST and corporate compliance.
End-to-end ownership — application, documentation, follow-up, closure.
Best Turnaround Time (TAT) with proactive milestone updates.
Transparent, error-free, risk-free processing under defined SOPs.
Affordable transaction cost with no hidden charges.