Why You Must File Your FY 2026-27 GST LUT by March 31

If you export goods or services from India and want to do so without paying IGST at export, you must furnish a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) or a bond. The LUT is valid for a financial year, so for FY 2026–27 you should file it before March 31 (or before your first export in Apr 2026).

Why hurry? Because if you don’t have a valid LUT when you export, you’ll likely have to pay IGST up front and then claim a refund - a cashflow headache and extra paperwork. Filing the LUT on time keeps exports running smoothly.

1) Who Should File a LUT?

File a LUT if you are an exporter (goods or services) who wants to export without payment of IGST and you are not in the small list of persons who must provide a bond (rare). Typical exporters who file LUT include:

• Manufacturers and merchants exporting goods
• Service providers exporting B2B or B2C services from India
• Exporters who want to avoid paying IGST and then waiting for refunds

If you’re unsure whether you can use LUT or must file a bond, check with your tax advisor or GST consultant (many exporters consult a GST consultant in Gurgaon around year-end).

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2) Why March 31 Is The Practical Deadline

• The LUT is valid for a financial year (Apr–Mar). To have uninterrupted export without payment of IGST for FY 2026–27, furnish LUT before 31 March 2026.
• If you wait until April and export before filing LUT, you’ll have to pay IGST and later claim refund - not ideal for cash flow.
• Filing early avoids last-minute portal delays and lets you export from day one in Apr 2026.

3) Consequences of Missing The LUT Deadline

If you export without a LUT:

• You’ll typically have to pay IGST at the time of export (cash outflow).
• You can claim refund of IGST later - but refund claims take time and require additional documentation.
• Extra compliance and scrutiny: refunds can attract queries and delays.
• For repeat offenders or incorrect filings, there’s risk of interest/penalty issues (avoidable with timely LUT).

Bottom line: missed LUT = cash flow pain + paperwork.

4) Documents & Details You’ll Need (Prepare These Now)

Before you sit down to file, gather:

• GSTIN and registered business details
• PAN and business/legal name as per GST records
• IEC (Importer-Exporter Code) - recommended to have handy (often needed for export docs)
• Bank account details (for refunds/payments if needed)
• Contact and authorized signatory details (name, designation, DSC/EVC availability)
• Copies of any previous LUTs (helpful for reference)

If you export without a LUT:

• You’ll typically have to pay IGST at the time of export (cash outflow).
• You can claim refund of IGST later - but refund claims take time and require additional documentation.
• Extra compliance and scrutiny: refunds can attract queries and delays.
• For repeat offenders or incorrect filings, there’s risk of interest/penalty issues (avoidable with timely LUT).

Bottom line: missed LUT = cash flow pain + paperwork.

Read More: Place of Supply Rules Under GST for Goods & Services: A Detailed Guide

5) Step-by-Step: How To File LUT On The GST Portal

(Portal layout may change slightly; these are the usual steps.)

• Login to the GST portal (https://www.gst.gov.in) with your GSTIN credentials.
• Go to Services → User Services → Furnish LUT (or search “LUT” in the portal).
• Click New LUT (or Furnish LUT for FY 2026–27).
• Fill in the required details: financial year (2026–27), export option (goods/services), IEC (if asked), bank details, etc.
• Upload any attachments if the portal requests them (usually minimal).
• Authorize and sign - companies typically use DSC; proprietors or partners may verify via EVC as permitted.
• Submit and download the acknowledgment/ARN. Keep this safe - you’ll need it for export documentation.

Tip: Do this before March 31 to avoid the rush and ensure continuity.

6) Filing By Different Taxpayer Types - Practical Notes

• Companies / LLPs: DSC filing is common and reliable. Use the authorized signatory DSC.
• Proprietors / Partners / Individuals: Portal may allow EVC in some cases - keep PAN and KYC handy.
• New exporters (first-time): Ensure your GST registration details and IEC (if available) are correct before filing.

If your portal shows an error or blocks LUT, consult your GST portal admin or a GST consultant - it’s common at year-end.

7) What If I Miss March 31? Emergency Steps

If you miss the LUT deadline and you need to export immediately:

• You may export after paying IGST, and later claim refund (longer route).
• Alternatively, you can furnish a bond with bank guarantee (if eligible) - but this is more complex.
• File LUT as soon as possible for the remainder of the year.
• Keep all export invoices, shipping bills and proof of tax paid - you’ll need them for refund or adjustment.

Pro tip: Don’t assume you can "file LUT later and claim it retrospectively" - refunds are allowed but subject to verification.

8) Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Filing LUT under the wrong financial year (choose 2026–27).
• Not checking authorized signatory access or DSC expiry before deadline.
• Missing IEC, bank details or mismatch in GSTIN name → portal rejection.
• Assuming LUT covers non-resident exporters - LUT applies to exporters resident in India exporting from India.
• Exporting in April 2026 before LUT submission and not keeping proof of tax payment (if paid).

A quick pre-check saves headaches.

9) Quick LUT Checklist You Can Use Today

• Confirm you export goods or services from India and want zero-rated exports.
• Gather GSTIN, PAN, IEC, bank details and signatory DSC/EVC.
• Log into GST portal and navigate to Furnish LUT for FY 2026–27.
• Fill details, attach documents and submit before 31 March 2026.
• Download and store the acknowledgement ARN and LUT copy.
• Share LUT ARN with your exports / logistics / billing teams.

10) FAQs - Short Answers

Q: Is LUT mandatory for all exporters?
A: No - exporters may choose LUT or submit a bond. LUT is the simpler route for compliant exporters.

Q: Can I file LUT after making exports in Apr 2026?
A: You can, but exports made before LUT without bond usually require IGST payment and later refund claim - not ideal.

Q: Does LUT need renewal?
A: Yes - it’s for a financial year. Furnish a new LUT for FY 2026–27 (and again next year).

Q: Who signs the LUT?
A: Authorized signatory as per GST registration - usually with DSC for companies.

Final notes & practical help

Filing your FY 2026–27 LUT by March 31 is a small admin step with a big payoff: better cash flow, fewer refunds, simpler exports and less risk of GST notices. It’s one of the easiest compliance items to tick off during year-end close.

If you or your team want a hand - whether it’s a quick portal walk-through, checking DSCs, or verifying details before submission - DSRV India can help. We assist exporters with LUT filing, export compliance, and audit-ready documentation.