E-Way Bill API Integration - Overview

E-Way Bill API Integration

This article explains the purpose and the operational procedure on E-Way Bill API Integration, how to use E way Bill API price interface to generate, update, cancel or reject E-way bills and also covers the benefits and the different use cases.

Before we start, it is important to know what exactly APIs are and how APIs work.

API full form in e way bill or API for e way bill is Application Programming Interface. An Ewaybill API is an intermediary interface that allows two separate applications to communicate with each other. In other words, Eway bill API providers are basically the messenger that delivers your request to the provider and sends back the response to you.

Often developers don’t write codes from the scratch, instead they use APIs to build a functional application. Therefore, a good API makes it a lot easier for a developer to write a program. So, if you want to know what is e way bill API and how to generate e way bill using api, we will explain here.

What is an E-Way Bill API Interface?

Eway API is an interface that enables a taxpayer or the transporter to automate their E-Way Bill processes. E-way bill API providers, can directly interact with the NIC server with commands such as generate e-way bills, take bulk actions, update part b, cancel or reject. The API interface acts as an intermediary between the taxpayer system and the NIC system by sending and receiving data.

E-Way Bill API free are available in simple REST and SOAP format which accepts JSON & XML payload respectively to communicate between both systems.

Sources to Avail E-Way Bill APIs

When thinking of automating the e-way bill process, it is important to select the right service provider. Since the choice will decide whether the project will be a success or a failure. The provider can be shortlisted on a range of criterion, such as a breath of APIs available, support in the preferred programming language, security features and examples of successful integrations by the service provider. Cost can be one of the criterion but should not be the focus if the provider fails other important criteria.

• NIC E-Way Bill API – These APIs are developed by the National Informatics Centre, an organization under the Government of India. To avail these E-Way Bill APIs, the taxpayer has to meet certain conditions:
  • The taxpayer or transporter should have an automated invoice generation system.
  • A taxpayer or a transporter should generate at least 1000 e-way bills per day on the e-way bill system.
  • A taxpayer should have SSL or TSL-enabled domain name for the interface.
  • The taxpayer or transporter should have static IP address.
  • The taxpayer’s automated system should be modified to exchange the data with e-way bill system.
  • The taxpayer or the transporter system should do thorough testing on the pre-production site with at least 200 activities.It is important to note that these are just the plain vanilla E-Way Bill APIs made available by NIC. These APIs are difficult to integrate and might not be suitable for most of companies.
• Masters India E-Way Bill API – NIC has given access of their APIs to GST Suvidha Providers which are appointed by GSTN, and Masters India is one of them. Masters India E-Way Bill APIs are easily available to taxpayers and transporters without any pre-requisite. Masters India also provides proper documentation (eway docs) and extended support for quick integration.

Who can use E-Way Bill APIs?

1. Enterprises – Any enterprise looking to automate the entire e-way bill process can integrate E-Way Bill APIs in their ERPs such as SAP, ORACLE or NAVISION, etc. An automated e-way bill system for a taxpayer will reduce work, ensure compliance and increase efficiency.
2. Transporters/ Logistics Companies – Non-compliance for the transporter can be very costly given that it can damage his relationship with his customers. Therefore, it makes a lot of sense to automate e-way bill process and benefit from 100% compliance and better staff productivity. Automation also ensures dispatch happens as per agreed schedule.
3. Developers – Using Masters India E-Way Bill APIs, a business can create their own stand-alone e-way bill software or build such functionality within their Accounting/ ERP solutions.

What are the benefits of E-Way Bill API?

Taxpayers can enjoy the following benefits after integrating E-Way Bill API with their systems:

• API integration with the taxpayer system will lead to automation of overall e-way bill process which will eliminate manual intervention, reduce human cost and increase efficiency.
• APIs remove the scope of mistakes because of manual data entry.
• Using EWB APIs the taxpayer can avoid duplicity or double entries of invoices
• APIs let any developer or taxpayer customize e-way bill system as per the business functional requirement.

List of E-Way Bill API Services