GST LUT / Refund Calculator

Calculate your GST refund eligibility when exporting from India

GST Refund Calculator

Leave blank if unknown or nil

How GST Refund Works for Exporters

1
With LUT (Recommended)

Export under Letter of Undertaking without paying IGST. Claim ITC refund on inputs used for export. Most exporters prefer this method.

2
Without LUT (Pay IGST & Claim Refund)

Pay IGST at export, then claim full IGST refund. More capital required upfront but simpler documentation.

File LUT annually at the GSTN portal before starting exports to avoid paying IGST on export shipments.

What is the GST LUT & Refund Calculator?

The GST LUT & Refund Calculator is a free tool for Indian exporters to instantly calculate their GST refund eligibility and estimated refund amount. Whether you export under a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) without paying IGST, or export with IGST paid upfront and then claim a refund, this tool helps you understand exactly how much GST you are entitled to recover from the government.

GST refunds are one of the most significant working capital items for Indian exporters. Delays in claiming or receiving refunds can create serious cash flow problems. This calculator helps you track, plan, and prioritise your GST refund claims.

What is a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) in GST?

A Letter of Undertaking (LUT) is an annual declaration filed by registered exporters on the GSTN portal that allows them to export goods and services without paying IGST. Instead of paying 18% IGST on a ₹50 lakh export invoice and then waiting months for a refund, you file a LUT and simply export with zero IGST charged.

The LUT is valid for the entire financial year and must be renewed annually. Almost every GST-registered exporter should file a LUT — it eliminates blocked working capital and saves significant time.

Who can file LUT? Any GST-registered exporter without a pending prosecution for tax evasion exceeding ₹2.5 crore can file LUT. It is free to file and can be done entirely online at gstn.gov.in.

LUT Export vs IGST Paid Export — Which is Better?

Aspect Export Under LUT Export with IGST Paid
IGST payment upfrontNo — zero IGST chargedYes — full IGST paid on invoice
Refund claimedRefund of Input GST credit (ITC)Refund of IGST paid on invoice
Refund speedFaster (no verification of IGST paid)Slightly slower — ICEGATE match required
Cash flow impactBetter — no capital blockedWorse — capital blocked till refund
Best forAll regular exportersOne-off exports or LUT not filed yet

How to Use the GST LUT / Refund Calculator

  1. Select your export method — LUT (no IGST) or IGST paid on invoice.
  2. Enter total export invoice value in INR for the period you are calculating.
  3. Enter the GST rate applicable on your input purchases (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%).
  4. Enter input purchases value (the raw materials and services you bought and paid GST on).
  5. Click Calculate — the tool shows your eligible refund amount and type (ITC refund or IGST refund).

GST Refund Process — Key Steps for Exporters

  • File GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B accurately and on time — refunds are processed only after matching with ICEGATE data
  • Apply for refund using Form RFD-01 on the GSTN portal within 2 years of the export date
  • Ensure Shipping Bill details match your GSTR-1 filing — mismatches are the most common reason for delays
  • IGST refunds for goods are largely automated through the ICEGATE-GSTN integration — no manual application needed
  • ITC refunds (for LUT exports) require RFD-01 filing and take 15–30 days for processing

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a GST refund on exports?
IGST refunds on goods (auto-processed via ICEGATE) are typically credited within 15–30 days after GSTR-1 is filed and data matches. ITC refunds applied via RFD-01 take 30–60 days. Delays occur due to GSTR-1/3B mismatches, invalid Shipping Bill data, or pending scrutiny.
Can service exporters also file LUT?
Yes. IT companies, consultants, and other service exporters can file LUT to export services without paying IGST. They can then claim refund of input GST paid on their costs (rent, software, professional services) through RFD-01.
What happens if I forget to file LUT and export with IGST?
You can still claim a full IGST refund through the automated ICEGATE process. It just means your capital was blocked for the refund period. For large exporters, this is a significant cash flow disadvantage — which is why filing LUT at the start of each financial year (April) is strongly recommended.

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