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Published on: Jun 24, 2026

GST Credit Transfer Document

The Ministry of Finance introduced the concept of Credit Transfer Document (CTD) in Goods and Services Tax (GST) to transfer CENVAT credit paid on specified goods available with a trader on the GST implementation date. The manufacturer can issue a CTD through TRANS 3 through the GST portal. In this article, let us look at the GST Credit Transfer Document in detail.

Who can issue the GST Credit Transfer Document?

A manufacturer registered under Central Excise can issue Credit Transfer Document to evidence payment of central excise duty for goods manufactured and cleared by the concerned individual before the date of GST implementation. In addition, the manufacturer shall issue CTD to an unregistered person under Central Excise with the cover of an invoice but registered under

GST.

Criteria for Issuing Credit Transfer Document

Upon issuing the GST Credit Transfer Document, the issuing authority should follow the following limitations, conditions and procedures:

  • For the value of such goods higher than Rs.25,000 per piece, the goods shall bear the brand name of the manufacturer or the principal manufacturer and shall identify using a distinct number such as chassis/engine number of the vehicle.
  • The manufacturer should maintain the verifiable records of clearance and payments related to duty of each piece of such goods and make available for verification on demand by a Central Excise officer.
  • The issuer shall use the serial number system when issuing CTD. It should contain the following details of the receiver:
    • Central Excise registration number,
    • Address of the concerned Central Excise Division,
    • Name, address and GSTIN number of the person,
    • Description,
    • Classification,
    • Invoice number with date of removal,
    • Mode of transport and vehicle registration number,
    • Rate of duty, quantity,
    • Value and duty of central excise and
    • The total amount paid.
  • The manufacturer shall verify, and self-certify that the receiver of the CTD possesses the such manufactured goods in the form as described in the form.
  • The issuer shall provide it within 30 days of the GST implementation date and enclose the copy of the corresponding invoices.
  • The dealer shall maintain the copies of all invoices of intermediate dealers related to buying and selling from manufacturer to the dealer to avail credit using the CTD.
  • CTD should not be issued in favour of a dealer to whom invoice was issued for the same goods before the appointed date.

Availing Credit

  • A dealer availing credit using Credit Transfer Document on manufactured goods would not be eligible to avail credit under GST Transition Rules made under CGST Act, 2017 on identical goods manufactured by the same manufacturer available in the stock of the dealer.
  • The dealer availing credit on the basis of CTD should, at the time of making a supply of such goods, mention the corresponding CTD number in the invoice issued by him.

Misuse of Credit Transfer Document

If a manufacturer issues a CTD and the credit of central tax is availed twice on the same goods, then the manufacturer would be jointly and severally responsible for excess credit availed by the dealer and provisions for recovery of credit, interest and penalty under the CENVAT Credit Rules would apply on the manufacturer.

Procedure for Issuing Credit Transfer Document

A manufacturer issuing a Credit Transfer Document should submit details in TRANS 3 on GST common portal within sixty days of the appointed date. A dealer availing credit on CTD should submit details in TRANS 3 on the common portal within sixty days of the appointed date.

GST Form TRAN 3 GST Form TRAN 3 All manufacturers issuing CTD shall maintain the records in form TRANS 3A and the concerned authority shall produce all the records to the Central Excise officer for verification on demand. Dealers availing credit on CTD should maintain the record in the form TRANS 3B, and the record should be made available to the Central Excise officer for verification on demand.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about GST Credit Transfer Document Details and Issuance.

The GST Credit Transfer Document can be issued by a manufacturer registered under Central Excise to evidence payment of central excise duty for goods manufactured and cleared before the GST implementation date. The manufacturer can also issue a CTD to an unregistered person under Central Excise but registered under GST, along with an invoice.
The manufacturer must follow certain conditions and procedures while issuing a CTD, such as maintaining verifiable records of clearance and duty payments, using a serial number system, providing details of the receiver, self-certifying the receiver's possession of the goods, issuing it within 30 days of GST implementation, and not issuing it for goods already invoiced to a dealer.
No, a dealer availing credit using a Credit Transfer Document on manufactured goods would not be eligible to avail credit under GST Transition Rules made under CGST Act, 2017 on identical goods manufactured by the same manufacturer available in the stock of the dealer.
If a manufacturer issues a CTD and the credit of central tax is availed twice on the same goods, the manufacturer would be jointly and severally responsible for the excess credit availed by the dealer, and provisions for recovery of credit, interest, and penalty under the CENVAT Credit Rules would apply to the manufacturer.
A manufacturer issuing a Credit Transfer Document should submit details in TRANS 3 on the GST common portal within sixty days of the appointed date, and maintain records in form TRANS 3A. A dealer availing credit on CTD should submit details in TRANS 3 within sixty days and maintain records in TRANS 3B.
A Credit Transfer Document should contain the receiver's Central Excise registration number, address of the concerned Central Excise Division, name, address, and GSTIN number, description and classification of goods, invoice number and date of removal, mode of transport and vehicle registration number, rate of duty, quantity, value, and the total amount of central excise duty paid.
Yes, a Credit Transfer Document can be issued for goods worth less than Rs.25,000 per piece, but for goods with a value higher than Rs.25,000 per piece, the goods must bear the brand name of the manufacturer or principal manufacturer and be identified using a distinct number like chassis/engine number.
When making a supply of goods for which credit was availed using a Credit Transfer Document, the dealer should mention the corresponding CTD number in the invoice issued by them.
The manufacturer should maintain verifiable records of clearance and duty payments for each piece of goods for which a CTD was issued, and make them available for verification by a Central Excise officer. The dealer should maintain copies of all invoices of intermediate dealers related to buying and selling from the manufacturer to the dealer to avail credit using the CTD.
No, a Credit Transfer Document should not be issued in favor of a dealer to whom an invoice was issued for the same goods before the appointed date (GST implementation date).