Free Delivery Challan Format (GST) + Online Generator
Free Delivery Challan Template
A delivery challan is the document that travels with goods in India when they move without a sale. Under GST, any movement of goods needs paperwork, and when there is no tax invoice because nothing was sold, the delivery challan fills that role. It tells tax officers what the goods are, who sent them, and where they are going.
On this page you get a free challan format that follows GST Rule 55, plus an online generator that builds one in about a minute. Further down you will find what every challan must contain, when to issue one, how it differs from a tax invoice, e-way bill rules, and answers to the questions businesses ask most.
Everything here is free. There is no signup and no watermark.
Create a delivery challan online
Enter the consignor and consignee details, GSTINs, item descriptions with HSN codes, quantities, and transport details. The generator formats everything into a clean document you can download immediately. It works on phones, tablets, and desktops.
What is a delivery challan under GST
A challan is a transport document issued when goods move from one place to another without a supply taking place. Section 31 of the CGST Act requires a tax invoice when goods are supplied. Rule 55 of the CGST Rules (see the CBIC GST portal) covers the situations where goods move but no supply happens, and that is where the challan comes in.
Common situations include sending goods for job work, transferring stock between your own branches or warehouses, sending samples or goods on approval, taking goods to an exhibition, and transporting goods where the invoice will be issued after delivery. In each case, the challan proves the movement is legitimate if the goods are checked in transit.
The challan does not replace the tax invoice. When the goods are eventually supplied, the tax invoice follows as per the normal time-of-supply rules.
What your challan must include (GST Rule 55)
Rule 55 prescribes the particulars every challan must carry. Missing any of these can cause trouble during transit checks:
- Date and serial number of the delivery challan (numbered serially, not exceeding 16 characters).
- Name, address, and GSTIN of the consignor (sender), if registered.
- Name, address, and GSTIN or UIN of the consignee (receiver), if registered. If unregistered, name, address, and place of supply.
- HSN code for the goods being transported.
- Description of the goods.
- Quantity (provisional quantity is acceptable where the exact quantity is not known).
- Taxable value of the goods.
- GST rate and tax amount broken into CGST, SGST, IGST, and cess, where applicable.
- Place of supply, for inter-state movement.
- Signature of the supplier or authorized person.
Challans must be prepared in triplicate: the original marked ORIGINAL FOR CONSIGNEE, the duplicate marked DUPLICATE FOR TRANSPORTER, and the triplicate marked TRIPLICATE FOR CONSIGNER.
Delivery challan format
A standard layout looks like this:
DELIVERY CHALLAN No. DC-0042 (ORIGINAL FOR CONSIGNEE) Date: [Date] Consignor: [Name, Address, GSTIN] Consignee: [Name, Address, GSTIN] Transporter: [Name, GSTIN] | Vehicle No: [Number] | Mode: [Road/Rail/Air] Place of supply: [Place] Sr | Description | HSN | Qty | Unit | Taxable value 1 | [Item 1] | [HSN] | [Qty] | [Unit] | [Value] 2 | [Item 2] | [HSN] | [Qty] | [Unit] | [Value] Total taxable value: [Amount] GST rate: [Rate] (CGST [Amount] + SGST [Amount] / IGST [Amount]) Authorized signature: [Name + Signature + Seal]
Keep the number under 16 characters. Mark each copy clearly so the transporter and consignee know which is theirs.
When to issue a challan
Job work. Sending raw materials or semi-finished goods to a job worker for processing. This is the most common use.
Branch transfers. Moving your own stock between warehouses or branches in different states.
Goods on approval. Sending products for the customer to inspect before deciding to buy.
Samples. Distributing product samples that are not sold.
Exhibition goods. Taking goods to a trade show or exhibition and bringing them back.
Delayed invoicing. Where goods are transported for supply but the tax invoice cannot be issued at the time of removal. The invoice follows after delivery per Rule 55(4).
E-way bill and the challan
When the taxable value of goods in transit exceeds Rs 50,000, an e-way bill is mandatory under Rule 138, in addition to the challan. The challan documents what the goods are; the e-way bill registers the movement on the GST portal.
Generate the e-way bill on the GST portal before the goods move, and carry both documents during transit. For movements below the threshold, the challan alone suffices, though many transporters prefer both regardless.
Challan vs tax invoice
These two serve different moments in the goods lifecycle:
| Delivery challan | Tax invoice | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Documents goods movement | Documents a sale |
| Issued when | Goods move without supply | Supply takes place |
| Shows | Description, quantity, value | All of those plus tax charged |
| Tax effect | None by itself | Creates tax liability |
| Copies | Triplicate (consignee/transporter/consigner) | As per invoice rules |
| Next step | Tax invoice on supply | Payment and filing |
If goods are sold, issue a tax invoice. If they merely move, issue a challan.
Mistakes that cause problems
Wrong or missing HSN codes. The HSN decides how officers classify your goods. Wrong codes invite scrutiny and delays.
Exceeding 16 characters in the challan number. Rule 55 caps the serial number length. Longer numbers are non-compliant.
Forgetting the triplicate marking. Each copy must be marked for its holder. Unmarked copies create confusion during checks.
No e-way bill above Rs 50,000. The challan alone is not enough past the threshold. Generate the e-way bill before dispatch.
Missing signatures. An unsigned challan carries no authority. Sign and stamp every copy.
Delivery challan FAQs
Is this delivery challan format free?
Yes. Generate as many delivery challans as you need with the online tool. No signup, no payment, no watermark, and no download limits.
What is a delivery challan under GST?
A delivery challan is a transport document required when goods move without a sale taking place, such as job work or branch transfers. Rule 55 of the CGST Rules prescribes what it must contain.
When is a delivery challan required instead of a tax invoice?
When goods move but no supply happens: job work, stock transfers between branches, samples, goods on approval, or exhibitions. If a sale takes place, issue a tax invoice instead.
What is the difference between a delivery challan and a tax invoice?
A delivery challan documents the movement of goods without a sale and creates no tax liability. A tax invoice documents a sale, charges GST, and creates a tax liability.
How many copies of a delivery challan are needed?
Three, per Rule 55(2): the original marked ORIGINAL FOR CONSIGNEE, the duplicate marked DUPLICATE FOR TRANSPORTER, and the triplicate marked TRIPLICATE FOR CONSIGNER.
Do I need an e-way bill with a delivery challan?
Yes, when the taxable value of the goods exceeds Rs 50,000. Generate the e-way bill on the GST portal before dispatch and carry it with the challan.
What is the maximum length of a delivery challan number?
Sixteen characters, as per Rule 55. Numbers must run serially in one or multiple series.
Can a delivery challan be used for job work?
Yes, job work is the most common use. Send materials to the job worker with a challan showing the description, quantity, and HSN codes.
Does a delivery challan need GSTIN?
Yes, show the GSTIN of the consignor and consignee where registered. For unregistered consignees, show name, address, and place of supply.
What happens after goods move on a delivery challan?
When the goods are supplied, issue the tax invoice as per the normal time-of-supply rules. The challan covered the movement; the invoice covers the sale.
Related templates
- Delivery Challan Generator: create one online in about a minute
- Tax Invoice Generator: the invoice that follows delivery
- Commercial Invoice Template: for international shipments
- Purchase Order Template: ordering before dispatch