If you run or work in a transport business in India, you've heard the word "bilty" hundreds of times. But what exactly is it, why is it legally important, and how should your business be creating one in 2026? This guide answers all three.
What is a Bilty?
A bilty — formally called a Lorry Receipt (LR) — is a document issued by a transport company (the carrier) to the person sending the goods (the consignor) when goods are handed over for transportation. It acts as:
- Proof that the carrier has received the goods
- A contract of carriage between the transporter and the customer
- A reference document for tracking, billing, GST, and insurance
Without a bilty, there is no formal record that goods were ever handed over for transport — which becomes a serious problem if goods are lost, damaged, or disputed.
Why is the Bilty Legally Important?
The Lorry Receipt is treated as a legal document under Indian transport and taxation law. It is commonly required for:
- GST compliance — transport documentation must accompany e-way bills for goods movement above the prescribed value.
- Insurance claims — if goods are damaged or lost in transit, the bilty is the primary evidence used to process a claim.
- Dispute resolution — in case of payment or delivery disputes, courts and arbitrators rely on the bilty to establish what was agreed and transported.
- Audit and bookkeeping — every bilty issued forms part of a transporter's official transaction record.
What Information Should a Bilty Contain?
- LR number and date — a unique, sequential reference for the shipment
- Consignor and consignee details — names, addresses, and contact numbers of sender and receiver
- Origin and destination — pickup and delivery locations
- Goods description — type, quantity, weight, and declared value
- Vehicle number and driver details
- Freight charges and payment terms (paid / to-pay / to-be-billed)
- Signatures and company stamp of the transporter
Paper Bilty vs. Digital Bilty
Most Indian transport businesses still create bilties by hand on pre-printed pads. This causes real problems: illegible handwriting, lost copies, no backup if a book is damaged, and hours spent on manual entry at month-end for accounting.
A digital bilty solves all of this — it's generated as a PDF in seconds, automatically numbered, stored permanently in the cloud, and can be shared instantly over WhatsApp to the customer.
How to Create a Digital Bilty in Seconds
With GS Bilty, you simply enter the consignor, consignee, and goods details once — the app auto-generates a professional, sequentially numbered LR as a PDF, applies your company branding (logo, signature, stamp), and lets you share it directly to WhatsApp. No printing, no handwriting, no lost paperwork.
Want to see how it works for your business? Read the step-by-step guide to creating an LR/Bilty →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bilty?
A bilty (also called a Lorry Receipt or LR) is a legal document issued by a transporter to a consignor when goods are handed over for transport. It serves as proof of the contract of carriage, lists the goods, parties, and freight charges, and is required for GST and insurance claims.
Is a bilty a legal document?
Yes. A bilty / Lorry Receipt is recognised as a legal proof-of-transport document in India. It is used in court disputes, insurance claims, and tax filings, and must be retained by both the transporter and the consignor.
What information must a bilty contain?
A valid bilty includes the LR number and date, consignor and consignee details, origin and destination, description and quantity of goods, vehicle number, freight charges, and the signatures/stamps of both parties.
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