Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has announced new functionalities in Trade Notice No. 12/2024-25, effective August 20, 2024, to enhance the self-certification process for electronic Bank Realisation Certificates (eBRC). Building on the previous pilot phase, DGFT has integrated banks with the eBRC system for automatic transmission of Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs). Exporters can now use two new features: bulk upload and API integration. The bulk upload function allows exporters to certify multiple eBRCs at once by uploading a spreadsheet with IRM, Shipping Bill, and invoice details, reducing manual errors and increasing efficiency. The API integration enables real-time data exchange between exporters’ systems and the DGFT eBRC system, facilitating faster and secure certification. Exporters must complete online registration for API use and manage access credentials themselves. The DGFT provides user manuals and outreach programs for guidance, and stakeholders can seek assistance through the DGFT Helpdesk. This initiative aims to simplify export procedures and support business growth.
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Trade Notice No. 12/2024-25 – DGFT | Dated: 14th August 2024
To
1. All Exporters/Members of Trade & Industry
2. All Banking and Financial institutions
3. All Export Promotion Councils/Commodity Boards
4. All DGFT Regional Authorities
Subject: API Integration and Bulk Upload Facility for Self-Certification of eBRC -reg.
Reference is made to the earlier Trade Notice No. 33/2023-24 dated 10th November 2023, where this Directorate piloted an online self-certification process for the electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC), aimed at simplifying and streamlining the reconciliation of export realizations for both merchandise and service sectors. Building on the pilot phase, the Directorate has now seamlessly integrated banks with the DGFT eBRC System, facilitating the automatic transmission of Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) for all Trade Account transactions. Exporters accordingly login to the DGFT Website (https://dgft.gov.in) to review IRMs shared by their respective banks and efficiently self-certify their eBRCs by matching with the relevant invoice or Shipping Bill details.
2. To further facilitate the eBRC self-certification process, the Directorate is pleased to introduce two additional functionalities, effective from 20.08.2024:
a. Bulk Upload
Exporters shall now have the capability to generate multiple eBRCs concurrently through the bulk upload functionality. By uploading a spreadsheet that contains the requisite IRM mapping along with Shipping Bill and Invoice details, exporters can facilitate the automatic certification of multiple eBRCs. Exporters shall be required to adhere to the prescribed rules and guidelines specified in the spreadsheet template to ensure compliance with the applicable business rules and data formats in the eBRC workflow. This feature is intended to enhance efficiency, minimize manual entry errors, and further streamline the management of eBRC self-certification documentation.
b. API Integration
The Application Programming Interface (API) integration provides exporters with the capability to interface their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Accounting, or other software systems directly with the DGFT eBRC system in near real-time. The API shall facilitate the retrieval of IRM/ORM data from the DGFT eBRC systems and enable the request and verification of eBRCs in accordance with the guidelines delineated on the DGFT website (Services -> eBRC -> eBRC Generation Rules). This API integration shall ensure a secure and faster certification process, with controlled access through credential management.
The following stipulations shall apply for enabling API integration:
- Exporters are required to complete an online registration process, specifying the IEC for which the API will be utilized. This registration must be authenticated through the IEC holder’s account.
- It is the responsibility of exporters to manage API consumer access, including its activation, deactivation, and re-authorization. The API consumer will be unable to interact with DGFT systems once deactivated and otherwise reactivated by the IEC holder.
3. Outreach, Awareness & Feedback:
User Manuals may be accessed on the DGFT website under the ‘Learn’ section (Application Help and FAQs -> eBRC). The manuals also provide detailed guidance on the alignment of purpose codes with eBRC fields and the validation rules for eBRC generation. Additionally, DGFT Regional Authorities (RAs) will host Exporter Outreach Programs to promote awareness and demonstrate the advanced eBRC capabilities. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide their feedback via email to [email protected]
4. Support Channels: Exporters and other stakeholders may contact the DGFT Helpdesk for eBRC-related assistance through the following channels:
- Call the Toll-Free Helpdesk support number.
- Raise a Helpdesk ticket via the DGFT website (Services -> DGFT Helpdesk Service) and track the status of previously filed tickets.
5. This initiative is part of this Directorate’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations, reduce complexity, to improve ease of doing business, and empower exporters to focus on their growth.
This notice is issued with the approval of the competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade
E-mail: [email protected]
(Issued from File No.: 01/02/127/AM22/EG&TF)
