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LUT (Letter of Undertaking) Filing in Form GST RFD-11, Fully Managed by Experts

CA/CS-managed LUT filing, handled end to end — eligibility check, Form GST RFD-11 preparation with witness and declaration details, filing on the GST portal, and your ARN acknowledgement. 100% online, with an annual renewal reminder so your exports never stall.

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A Letter of Undertaking (LUT) is filed in Form GST RFD-11 on the GST portal and lets exporters and suppliers to SEZ make zero-rated supplies without paying IGST. It is valid for one financial year and must be renewed at the start of each FY. Any registered person making zero-rated supplies can file it, provided they have not been prosecuted for tax evasion of over ₹2.5 crore. Without an LUT you must pay IGST on every export and then claim a refund — blocking your working capital.
₹0
IGST upfrontWith a valid LUT you export goods and services without paying IGST first — no refund cycle, no blocked working capital.
Understand It

What Is LUT (Letter of Undertaking)?

A quick, plain-language explanation before the details.

In simple terms

An LUT is a declaration in Form GST RFD-11 that lets you export goods or services, and supply to SEZ, without paying IGST — keeping your export cash flow free.

Legally

Under Rule 96A of the CGST Rules, 2017, read with Section 16 of the IGST Act, 2017, a registered person may furnish a Letter of Undertaking in Form GST RFD-11 to make zero-rated supplies without payment of integrated tax, instead of paying IGST and claiming a refund.

Governing authority

Administered by the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and furnished online on the portal gst.gov.in.

Validity

An LUT is valid for a single financial year. A fresh Form GST RFD-11 must be filed at the start of every FY to continue exporting without paying IGST — the old LUT does not carry forward.

Service Intelligence

Quick Facts

Professional Fee
Custom quote
Government Fee
₹0
Timeline
1–3 days
Mode
100% Online
Authority
GSTN / CBIC
Governing Law
CGST Act 2017, Rule 96A
Filing Form
Form GST RFD-11
Validity
One financial year
Before You Start

Is This Service Right for You?

Ideal for

  • Merchant & manufacturer exporters shipping goods out of India
  • Exporters of services — IT, SaaS, consulting & freelancers billing overseas
  • Suppliers to SEZ units and SEZ developers
  • Existing exporters whose LUT is expiring and needs renewal
  • First-time exporters who want to ship without paying IGST from day one
  • Businesses with foreign-currency receipts wanting to protect cash flow

You may need this if

  • You make (or plan to make) zero-rated supplies — exports or SEZ supplies
  • You want to export goods or services without paying IGST upfront
  • You want to avoid the pay-IGST-then-claim-refund route
  • Your existing LUT is lapsing at the end of the financial year
  • You supply to SEZ units or developers and want zero-rated cover
  • You have not been prosecuted for tax evasion above ₹2.5 crore

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Why It Matters

Why File a Letter of Undertaking (LUT)?

An LUT is the simplest route for exporters and SEZ suppliers to make zero-rated supplies without locking up cash in IGST. Here is why it matters.

  1. 01

    Export Without IGST

    Supply zero-rated goods and services without paying IGST upfront on every export invoice.

  2. 02

    Protect Cash Flow

    No IGST blocked in refund cycles — your working capital stays free for the business.

  3. 03

    Skip Refund Paperwork

    Avoid the pay-then-refund route and the Form GST RFD-01 refund claims that follow it.

  4. 04

    Cover SEZ Supplies

    An LUT also covers supplies to SEZ units and developers, not just physical exports of goods.

  5. 05

    100% Online

    Form GST RFD-11 is furnished digitally on the GST portal — no office visits required.

  6. 06

    Simple Annual Renewal

    Valid for one FY — TaxClue tracks expiry and renews it before each financial year starts.

Transparent

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Custom quote for your case

Fees depend on your business type and scope. Get a clear, itemised quote upfront — no hidden professional charges, government fee billed at actuals.

Eligibility

Who Can Apply?

Exporters of goods (merchant & manufacturer)
Exporters of services (IT, SaaS, consulting)
Suppliers to SEZ units & SEZ developers
Existing LUT holders renewing for the new FY
First-time exporters filing their first RFD-11
Freelancers with foreign-currency receipts

Eligibility checklist

  • A valid GST registration (GSTIN) in the state of supply
  • You make (or intend to make) zero-rated supplies — exports or SEZ supplies
  • No prosecution for tax evasion of an amount exceeding ₹2.5 crore
  • An authorised signatory who can e-verify Form GST RFD-11 via DSC or EVC
  • Details of two independent witnesses (name, address and occupation)
  • A fresh LUT filed for each financial year before your first export
End-to-End

Everything You Need. One Professional Team.

01

Eligibility Check

Confirm you make zero-rated supplies and are not barred from furnishing an LUT.

02

Details Collected

Gather your GSTIN, authorised signatory and two witness details securely.

03

RFD-11 Preparation

Draft Form GST RFD-11 with the correct declarations and undertakings.

04

Witness & Declaration Support

Help you complete witness particulars and the required self-declarations.

05

Portal Filing

Furnish the LUT on the GST portal, signed by DSC or EVC of the signatory.

06

ARN & Status Tracking

Track the Acknowledgement Reference Number generated on filing.

07

Acknowledgement Delivery

Hand over the signed LUT acknowledgement for your export records.

08

Renewal Reminder

Track LUT validity and flag the renewal before the new financial year begins.

No Ambiguity

What You’ll Receive

Filed Form GST RFD-11 (Letter of Undertaking)
ARN acknowledgement
Signed LUT acknowledgement for export records
LUT eligibility confirmation
Witness & declaration details support
LUT reference for export invoices
Annual FY renewal reminder
Exporter compliance guidance
Checklist

What Details Are Required to File an LUT (Form GST RFD-11)?

An LUT needs no bank guarantee — only your GST and signatory details plus two independent witnesses. Everything is collected securely online, with no office visits.

Choose a detail group

GST & Signatory

Registration & signatory details
4 documents
  • GSTIN of the registered person
  • PAN of the business entity
  • Authorised signatory details (name, designation)
  • DSC or Aadhaar-linked mobile for EVC signing

LUT, not a bond

An LUT is a simple undertaking — no bond and no bank guarantee is required. A bond with bank guarantee applies only to those not eligible to furnish an LUT.

Two witnesses needed

Form GST RFD-11 requires the name, address and occupation of two independent witnesses. They should be independent of the applicant and its authorised signatory.

Fresh LUT each FY

An LUT is valid for one financial year only. File a new RFD-11 at the start of every FY — an earlier year's LUT does not carry forward.

Signed by DSC or EVC

The LUT is furnished online and signed using the authorised signatory's DSC or EVC (Aadhaar OTP) — no physical submission to a GST office.

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Step by Step

How to File an LUT Online (Step by Step)

The entire LUT is furnished online on the official GST portal at gst.gov.in — under Services → User Services → Furnish LUT.

01

Eligibility check

We confirm you make zero-rated supplies and are not barred from furnishing an LUT.

02

Details collected

Share your GSTIN, authorised signatory and the details of two independent witnesses.

03

RFD-11 prepared

Our CA/CS team drafts Form GST RFD-11 with the declarations and undertakings.

04

Filed on the GST portal

The LUT is furnished under Services → User Services → Furnish LUT, signed by DSC or EVC.

05

ARN generated

An Acknowledgement Reference Number is issued once the LUT is filed on the portal.

06

Acknowledgement delivered

The signed LUT acknowledgement is sent to you for your export records and invoices.

How Long It Takes

How Long Does LUT Filing Take?

StageExpected Time
Eligibility check + details collectedDay 1
Form GST RFD-11 prepared & reviewedDay 1–2
Filed on portal + ARN & acknowledgementDay 2–3

Once complete details are received, an LUT is typically prepared and filed within 1–3 working days. The ARN is generated on filing. File your LUT before your first export of the financial year so no supply is left without zero-rated cover.

Compliance Calendar

Key Dates — At a Glance

FrequencyWhat Is Due
Start of FY (1 Apr)A fresh LUT is required for the new financial year · The earlier year's LUT does not carry forward · File Form GST RFD-11 before your first export
On FilingARN generated once the LUT is furnished · Signed LUT acknowledgement stored for records · Quote the LUT reference on export invoices
Through the FYExport goods/services zero-rated without IGST · Cover supplies to SEZ units and developers · Keep export documentation aligned to the LUT
FY-End (31 Mar)LUT validity ends with the financial year · Renew RFD-11 for the next FY to avoid a gap · TaxClue sends a renewal reminder before FY-end

Dates are indicative and may change with government notifications. Our team tracks every deadline so you never miss a filing.

Why Outsource

Doing It Yourself vs TaxClue

Doing It Yourself

  • Confirm your own LUT eligibility and the ₹2.5 crore prosecution bar
  • Arrange two independent witness particulars correctly
  • Draft Form GST RFD-11 declarations without errors
  • Navigate Services → User Services → Furnish LUT on the portal
  • Sign the LUT via DSC or EVC without failures
  • Track the ARN and store the acknowledgement
  • Remember to re-file a fresh LUT every financial year

With TaxClue

  • Expert confirms your eligibility before filing
  • Witness and declaration details handled for you
  • RFD-11 prepared and reviewed by CA/CS team
  • LUT furnished on the portal on your behalf
  • DSC / EVC signing handled smoothly
  • ARN tracked and acknowledgement delivered
  • Annual FY renewal reminder so you never lapse

Skip the guesswork.

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Avoid Delays

Common Mistakes That Delay Your Application

Exporting on a lapsed LUT — the supply loses zero-rated cover
Forgetting to file a fresh LUT for the new financial year
Treating an LUT as if it were a bond with bank guarantee
Wrong or incomplete details in Form GST RFD-11
Using witnesses who are not independent of the applicant
Missing the ₹2.5 crore prosecution eligibility bar
Not quoting the LUT ARN on export invoices
Not realising export proceeds within the prescribed period (18% interest risk)

TaxClue reviews your documents before filing to reduce avoidable errors.

Stay Compliant

LUT Renewal — What Applies Each Financial Year

Start of FY (1 Apr)

  • A fresh LUT is required for the new financial year
  • The earlier year's LUT does not carry forward
  • File Form GST RFD-11 before your first export

On Filing

  • ARN generated once the LUT is furnished
  • Signed LUT acknowledgement stored for records
  • Quote the LUT reference on export invoices

Through the FY

  • Export goods/services zero-rated without IGST
  • Cover supplies to SEZ units and developers
  • Keep export documentation aligned to the LUT

FY-End (31 Mar)

  • LUT validity ends with the financial year
  • Renew RFD-11 for the next FY to avoid a gap
  • TaxClue sends a renewal reminder before FY-end
Risk Assessment

Penalties & Consequences

What is at stake if you do not comply

  • Without a valid LUT you must pay IGST on every export and block working capital
  • Exporting on a lapsed LUT strips zero-rated cover from the supply
  • Goods not exported within 3 months of the invoice (Rule 96A) trigger IGST plus interest
  • Export proceeds not realised in the prescribed period risk IGST with interest
  • The ₹2.5 crore evasion-prosecution bar means an LUT cannot be filed at all
Latest Updates

Regulatory Updates 2025–26

  • 2025: Exporters file a Letter of Undertaking (Form RFD-11) afresh each financial year to export without paying IGST.
The Difference

Why Businesses Choose TaxClue

01

CA / CS Team

Qualified Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries prepare and file your LUT.

02

Correct Form

Form GST RFD-11 filed correctly — not a bond with bank guarantee you don't need.

03

Fast Turnaround

Committed timelines with proactive status updates — often the same day when urgent.

04

100% Online

Everything over WhatsApp / email — no office visits required at any stage.

05

Renewal Tracked

We track LUT validity and remind you before each new financial year.

06

Post-Filing Support

Guidance on quoting the LUT on invoices and export documentation.

Data Care

Your Documents Deserve Professional Care

  • Documents handled by professionals under confidentiality
  • Access limited to the team working on your file
  • Communication over secure digital channels
  • Documents retained only as long as needed for compliance
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Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an LUT and which form is it filed in?
A Letter of Undertaking (LUT) is a declaration filed in Form GST RFD-11 on the GST portal. It lets exporters and suppliers to SEZ make zero-rated supplies without paying IGST upfront, instead of exporting on payment of tax and claiming a refund later.
Who is eligible to file an LUT?
Any registered person making zero-rated supplies — exporters of goods or services and SEZ suppliers — can file an LUT, unless they have been prosecuted for tax evasion of more than ₹2.5 crore. Those who are not eligible must furnish a bond with a bank guarantee instead.
How long is an LUT valid?
An LUT is valid for one financial year. A fresh Form GST RFD-11 must be filed at the start of each financial year to continue exporting without paying IGST — the earlier year's LUT does not carry forward.
What happens if I export without an LUT?
Without a valid LUT you must pay IGST on your exports and then claim it back as a refund via Form GST RFD-01. This blocks your working capital until the refund is processed, which can take weeks.
Is an LUT the same as a bond?
No. An LUT is a simple undertaking with no bank guarantee. A bond with a bank guarantee is required only for those who are not eligible to furnish an LUT — for example, a person prosecuted for tax evasion above ₹2.5 crore.
Does an LUT cover supplies to SEZ units?
Yes. An LUT covers both exports of goods and services out of India and supplies made to SEZ units and SEZ developers, treating them as zero-rated supplies without payment of IGST.
Do I need to visit a GST office to file an LUT?
No — the LUT is furnished fully online on the GST portal under Services → User Services → Furnish LUT, and signed using the authorised signatory's DSC or EVC (Aadhaar OTP). TaxClue files it for you remotely.
What details are needed to file Form GST RFD-11?
You need your GSTIN, the authorised signatory details, and the name, address and occupation of two independent witnesses. TaxClue prepares Form GST RFD-11 and its declarations for you.
Is there a government fee to file an LUT?
No. The GST portal charges nothing to furnish an LUT. You pay only for professional assistance if you choose to have an expert prepare and file the RFD-11 for you.
How long does it take to file an LUT?
Once complete details are received, an LUT is typically prepared and filed within 1–3 working days, and the ARN is generated on filing. When urgent — for example, before a shipment — it can often be filed the same day.
When should I file my LUT for the year?
File your LUT at the start of the financial year, before your first zero-rated supply. If it lapses on 31 March and you export before renewing, that supply is not covered and you would have to pay IGST and claim a refund.
What is the ARN in LUT filing?
The ARN (Acknowledgement Reference Number) is generated when the LUT is furnished on the GST portal. It confirms your LUT is on record and can be quoted on export invoices as evidence of zero-rated supply under LUT.
What is a LUT and who can file it under GST?
A Letter of Undertaking (LUT) is a declaration in Form GST RFD-11 that lets a registered exporter or SEZ supplier make zero-rated supplies without paying IGST. Any registered person making zero-rated supplies can file it, except one prosecuted for tax evasion of an amount exceeding ₹2.5 crore, who must furnish a bond with a bank guarantee instead.
What is the difference between exporting under LUT and with payment of IGST?
Under LUT you export without charging IGST and later claim a refund of accumulated unutilised ITC under Section 54(3). With payment of IGST you pay the tax and claim it back (for goods, the shipping bill is the deemed refund application under Rule 96). The LUT route avoids blocking working capital in upfront IGST; both are available because exports are zero-rated under Section 16 of the IGST Act.
What are the Rule 96A conditions attached to an LUT?
By filing the LUT you undertake, under Rule 96A, to pay IGST with interest if the export conditions are not met — goods must be exported within three months of the invoice date, and payment for exported services must be received in convertible foreign exchange within one year. If either condition fails, the tax with interest becomes payable.
Do I need a DSC to file the LUT?
Companies and LLPs must sign Form GST RFD-11 using a Class-3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the authorised signatory. Other taxpayers, such as proprietorships, can e-sign using EVC (Aadhaar OTP). TaxClue handles the e-signing so the submission goes through cleanly.
Can I claim a refund after exporting under an LUT?
Yes, but of accumulated input tax credit rather than IGST. Since you charge no IGST on the export under LUT, there is no IGST refund; instead you claim a refund of the unutilised ITC used for those zero-rated supplies under Section 54(3), filing Form GST RFD-01 with the relevant statement.
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Official Sources & Legal References

Every regulatory detail on this page — the form, the rule, validity and eligibility — is drawn from primary law and official government sources. Verify them directly:

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Expert-managed LUT filing — eligibility check, Form GST RFD-11 preparation with witness details, portal filing and your ARN acknowledgement, plus an annual renewal reminder. Consultation, zero hidden charges.

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