The Reserve Bank of India has mandated exporters to file an Electronic Declaration Form (EDF) with designated banks for all export transactions starting October 1, 2026.
RBI Mandates EDF Filing for Exporters from Oct 1
Effective October 1, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated all goods and services exporters to furnish an Electronic Declaration Form (EDF) to their designated banks prior to the realization of export proceeds. The move aims to enhance transparency and streamline foreign exchange monitoring.
The EDF replaces the manual Shipping Bill-based declaration and integrates with the Export Data Portal under the Foreign Trade Policy. It requires exporters to declare details such as invoice value, currency, port of shipment, and buyer information in real time. Designated banks are required to validate and transmit the data to the RBI’s Centralized Processing Cell.
This reform aligns with the digitization of trade compliance and strengthens the RBI’s ability to track export inflows and detect discrepancies. Legal and compliance teams must ensure that export documentation workflows incorporate timely EDF submission to avoid delays in realization and potential reporting penalties. The system integration with DGFT and customs platforms is expected to reduce documentation overlap.
