GST EWB-04: transporter's report of unreasonable detention

When to file EWB-04

If a vehicle is intercepted and held for longer than 30 minutes, the transporter may upload the information in EWB-04. It applies whether or not a formal inspection order has been issued, and it is meant to flag delays that are not justified.

Details to record

• E-way bill number and vehicle number
• Place and time of interception
• Duration of the detention
• Name and designation of the officer, if known
• Any other relevant facts, such as documents produced

Why it is useful

EWB-04 is not a complaint that decides anything by itself, but it is a time-stamped record on the official system. If the matter later turns into detention, penalty or confiscation proceedings, it supports your account of when the vehicle was stopped and how long it was held.

It is also relevant where the e-way bill expires during the holding period, since the delay was not of your making.

Good practice for transporters and businesses

Train drivers to inform the office immediately on interception, share documents electronically, and note times. The transporter should file EWB-04 promptly while details are fresh, and the owner of goods should keep a copy for any later reply. A representative can use these records when preparing a reply to MOV-07.

How EWB-04 fits with the MOV forms

Where the officer formally proceeds, the interception should be followed by a driver's statement in MOV-01 and an inspection order in MOV-02. If the vehicle is simply held for a long time without these documents being issued, EWB-04 is the transporter's way to put that on record. Later, compare the time recorded in EWB-04 with the times shown on the MOV forms, and point out any gap in the reply.

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This guide explains the law in general terms as of October 2026. Time limits and requirements can depend on the facts of your case and on the notice you received.