GST Registration for Online Selling India
How to Do GST Registration for Online Selling in India — Step-by-Step for Beginners!
If you are thinking of starting an online selling business in India—whether it is through Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho or your own website—then one question comes up again and again:
“Is GST registration necessary or not?”
Beginner sellers are confused—some say GST is not applicable below the threshold limit, some say e-commerce platforms make GST number mandatory.
As a professional blogger and legal consultant, I am going to explain to you in a very clear and easy way why, when and how to do GST registration for online selling.
No half-baked info—only those things that are useful in the real-world.
Many people read 5–6 different blogs, yet are unable to understand the process completely. The purpose of this article is to give you A-Z knowledge on a single page so that your time is saved and confusion ends.
So let's get started: The whole truth about GST Registration in Online Selling!
What is GST Registration for Online Selling?
In simple terms:
When you sell products on an online platform in India—Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Shopify, your own website—you have to create a unique identity with the government so that you can file taxes. This is called GST (Goods and Services Tax) Registration.
The GST number is a 15-digit alphanumeric code that your business gets, and this is the number you have to enter in invoices, bills, and e-commerce portals.
Example: If you sell sarees on Flipkart, Flipkart will ask you for a GST number to create a seller account.
Why is GST Registration Important for Online Sellers?
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Mandatory for E-Commerce: You cannot legally sell on websites like Amazon, Flipkart, Snapdeal without a GST number.
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Trust and Compliance: A GST registered business looks professional and buyer trust increases.
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Avoid Legal Penalties: Sale without GST may attract a penalty of ₹10,000 or the tax due, whichever is higher.
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Input Tax Credit Benefit: After GST registration, you can adjust the tax levied on your business purchases.
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Bank Loan, Business Expansion: Having a GST number makes it easier for you to get a business loan as it is a legal proof of your business.
Step-by-Step Process: GST Registration for Online Selling in India
Step 1: Prepare All Required Documents (List Below)
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PAN Card (Business or Individual)
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Aadhaar Card
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Bank Account Proof (Cancelled Check or Statement)
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Business Address Proof
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Photograph (JPEG Format, Max 100 KB)
Step 2: Visit Official GST Portal
Step 3: Fill Basic Details
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Type of Taxpayer: Taxpayer
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State & District
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Name of Business (As per PAN)
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Mobile Number & Email ID (For OTP verification)
Step 4: Will get TRN (Temporary Reference Number)
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The next form has to be filled using this TRN.
Step 5: Upload Documents & Details
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Business Details
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Promoter/Owner Details
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Bank Details
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Place of Business Details
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HSN Code (according to Product Category)
Step 6: Verification via Aadhaar Authentication
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Your Aadhaar will be verified through OTP. This makes the process faster.
Step 7: You will get ARN (Application Reference Number)
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After submitting the application, you get ARN. You can check the status from this.
Step 8: GST Number Allotment
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You get GST Certificate in 3–7 working days.
Legal or Technical Requirements
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For E-commerce Selling: GST is compulsory, even if the turnover limit is below ₹20 lakh.
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For Own Website Selling: GST becomes mandatory if the ₹20 lakh limit is crossed.
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Aadhaar linked mobile number must be there.
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PAN and Aadhaar details must match.
Documents / Tools / Skills Needed
|
Document |
Required For |
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PAN Card |
Identity Proof |
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Aadhaar Card |
Address & Identity Proof |
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Bank Statement |
Bank Proof |
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Photograph |
KYC Upload |
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Address Proof |
Place of Business |
Cost, Time, Effort Breakdown
|
Item |
Approximate Details |
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Government Fee |
₹0 (GST Registration is Free) |
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Professional Help (Optional) |
₹499–₹2000 (CA or Agent Charges) |
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Time Required |
3–7 Days |
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Effort |
Medium (Forms, Uploads, OTP) |
Pros & Cons of GST Registration for Online Sellers
Pros:
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Legal Compliance
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Input Tax Credit
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Professional Brand Image
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Eligibility for Government Schemes
Cons:
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Monthly Return Filing Mandatory
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CA/Accountant Cost
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Penalty if Non-compliant
common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
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Entering Wrong HSN Code: Enter the correct HSN code of the product.
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Mobile/Email Mistake: OTP will not be received.
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Late Return Filing: File GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B on time every month.
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Giving Fake Address: There will be problem in site verification.
Pro Tips & Expert Insights
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If you are selling only on your own website with low turnover, then GST can be avoided initially. But as soon as the ₹20 lakh limit is crossed, get it done immediately.
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Do not make the mistake of giving dummy GST number on Amazon/Flipkart. Account may get suspended.
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Selling in multiple states? Apply for separate GST numbers.
Real-Life Example / Case Study
Suman's Boutique, Jaipur:
Suman initially started selling on Meesho and Instagram without GST number. As soon as she went to Amazon, GST became necessary in account setup. Got GST registration done from my local CA for ₹1,000, and now letting the same CA handle monthly returns. Today the turnover is ₹5 lakh per month!
2025 and Beyond: Latest Rules / Trends / Updates
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GST Amnesty Scheme (Expected Renewal): Penalty waivers may apply.
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E-invoicing under GST: E-invoice is mandatory for those above ₹5 crore turnover from 2025.
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Simplified GST Filing: New quarterly schemes are being introduced for small sellers.
Actionable Checklist
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PAN Card Ready
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Aadhaar Linked Mobile
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Bank Account Proof
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GST Portal Login
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Documents Upload
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Return Filing Calendar Set
FAQs
Q1. Is GST number required for selling on Amazon?
Yes, GST number is a must for Amazon Seller Account. Without it, the account will not be activated.
Q2. Is GST number required on Meesho or not?
Meesho keeps it optional for small sellers, but GST becomes mandatory on large turnover.
Q3. How much time does GST registration take?
Normally GST number is allotted in 3–7 working days.
Q4. What is the cost of GST registration?
Government fee is ₹0. If you get it done through a CA, then ₹500–₹2000 may be charged.
Q5. Do freelancers also need GST?
If they are providing services above the ₹20 lakh limit, then yes.
Q6. How is GST cancellation done?
You can request cancellation by submitting an application on the GST portal.
Q7. Is it necessary to cancel GST if you stop selling online?
Yes, if the business is closed then it is necessary to cancel GST otherwise penalties may be imposed.
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