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LUT Filing Under GST for Exporters | Form RFD-11 | N D Savla & Associates
Indirect Tax · Exports

LUT Filing Under GST for Exporters
Letter of Undertaking (Form RFD-11) & IGST-Free Exports

File the Letter of Undertaking in Form RFD-11 to make zero-rated exports without paying IGST upfront — eligibility check, document prep, filing, SEZ supplies, and a yearly renewal reminder.

What Is a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) Under GST?

A Letter of Undertaking, or LUT, is a declaration an exporter files in Form GST RFD-11. In it, you promise to follow all export rules under GST and complete your exports within the prescribed time — and in return you are allowed to export without paying IGST on those supplies.

Exports under GST are zero-rated supplies. There are two ways to claim the benefit: pay IGST and claim a refund afterwards, or file an LUT and export without paying IGST at all. The LUT route is faster, cleaner, and far easier on cash flow, which is why RFD-11 filing has become the default for serious exporters.

Without an LUT, the refund route ties up working capital for weeks. With one, that money stays in your business — you invoice your overseas client, ship the order, and move on. For an exporter shipping every month, the saving compounds quickly.

At N D Savla & Associates, we handle GST LUT filing end to end — from checking eligibility to preparing documents, filing Form RFD-11, and reminding you to renew. Our LUT work sits alongside GST Registration, GST refund for export of services, and Indirect Tax Services.

Who Should File an LUT?

The LUT eligibility criteria under GST are wide — almost every genuine exporter with a valid GST registration making zero-rated supplies qualifies.

Export of Goods

Goods exported outside India against payment in convertible foreign exchange, or as otherwise allowed.

Export of Services

Software, consulting, design, and other professional services billed to overseas clients.

Supplies to SEZ Units

Selling to a Special Economic Zone unit is zero-rated like a physical export — LUT for SEZ supplies works the same way.

Other Zero-Rated Supplies

Any other zero-rated transaction recognised under GST qualifies for the LUT facility.

The ₹2.5 Crore Exclusion

A business prosecuted for tax evasion of ₹2.5 crore or more cannot file an LUT and must execute a bond instead.

Annual Renewal Required

An LUT is valid for one financial year (1 Apr–31 Mar). It does not roll over — a fresh RFD-11 is filed each year.

How to File LUT in the GST Portal — Step by Step

The entire process is online through Form GST RFD-11, with no office visit needed. Small errors cause real delays, so getting the template right once saves effort on every renewal that follows.

01

Log In to the GST Portal

Sign in with your GSTIN credentials and open Services → User Services → Furnish Letter of Undertaking (RFD-11).
02

Select the Financial Year

Choose the financial year for which the LUT should apply — selecting the wrong year is a common reason filings are pushed back.
FY 1 Apr – 31 Mar
03

Accept the Self-Declarations

Accept the three standard declarations confirming you will export within the time allowed, follow GST law, and pay IGST with interest if you fail to do so.
04

Enter Witness Details

Provide the name, address, and occupation of two independent witnesses, exactly as required on the form.
05

Sign & Submit (DSC / EVC)

Sign and submit using a Digital Signature Certificate or EVC. The portal generates an acknowledgement with an ARN — your proof the LUT is active for the year.
DSC / EVC · ARN
06

Renewal Reminder Each Year

Because RFD-11 filing repeats every year, every client gets a reminder before the new financial year so the fresh LUT is acknowledged before the first export goes out. Miss the renewal, and exports in the gap can lose the zero-rated benefit.
Yearly Renewal

Documents Required for LUT Filing

  • GST registration certificate of the business.
  • PAN of the business entity.
  • KYC, ID, and address proof of the authorised signatory.
  • LUT cover letter on company letterhead and an authorisation letter (board resolution or partner authority).
  • Cancelled cheque of the business bank account.
  • Import Export Code, where applicable.

When Is a Bond Required Instead, and Related Services

Most exporters never need a bond — an LUT is the easy default and a bond is the backup when an exporter is not eligible or breaches LUT conditions:

Common Questions on LUT Filing Under GST

What is LUT in GST and who can file it?
LUT, or Letter of Undertaking, is a declaration in Form GST RFD-11 that lets exporters supply goods or services without paying IGST upfront. Any GST-registered exporter making zero-rated supplies, including supplies to SEZ units, can file it. The only bar is a prosecution for tax evasion of Rs. 2.5 crore or more, which makes a business ineligible to file LUT and forces it to use a bond instead.
How do I file LUT in the GST portal step by step?
To file LUT in the GST portal, log in and go to Services, then User Services, then Furnish Letter of Undertaking (RFD-11). Pick the financial year, accept the three self-declarations, enter two independent witnesses, and submit using DSC or EVC. The portal then issues an acknowledgement with an ARN, which confirms your LUT for export without payment of IGST is active for that year.
What documents are required for LUT filing under GST?
The documents required for LUT filing under GST include the GST registration certificate, the PAN of the business, KYC and ID proof of the authorised signatory, an LUT cover letter on company letterhead, an authorisation letter for the signatory, a cancelled cheque of the business bank account, and the Import Export Code where applicable. Two witnesses with name, address and occupation are also needed on the form.
What is the LUT validity for a financial year, and is renewal needed?
LUT validity runs for one full financial year, from 1 April to 31 March. There is no monthly renewal. However, LUT renewal every financial year is mandatory, so a fresh RFD-11 must be filed at the start of each new year. If the LUT expires and is not renewed, exports made after expiry can lose the zero-rated benefit until a new LUT is in place.
When is a bond required instead of an LUT?
A bond is required instead of an LUT when an exporter is not eligible to file LUT, for example after a tax-evasion prosecution of Rs. 2.5 crore or more, or when LUT conditions are breached. The bond is executed on non-judicial stamp paper and may need a bank guarantee of up to 15 percent of the bond amount, at the discretion of the GST Commissioner.

Ready to Export Without IGST? File Your LUT With Us

Eligibility check, document prep, Form RFD-11 filing, ARN tracking, and a renewal reminder every financial year — and the bond route handled too, if it is ever needed.

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