Introduction: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has issued a Trade Notice (No. 33/2023-24) dated November 10, 2023, announcing the pilot launch of the upgraded Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (eBRC) system for self-certification by exporters.
1. Background and Commitment: Reference Para 1.07 of the Foreign Trade Policy emphasizes the commitment to facilitate exports and imports with efficient, transparent, and accountable delivery systems. The enhanced eBRC system aligns with this commitment.
2. Streamlined Workflow: The upgraded eBRC system is designed to streamline the process, allowing exporters to self-certify based on electronic Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) directly transmitted by banks to DGFT. This process is expected to reduce transaction time and costs.
3. Pilot Launch Details: The pilot launch is set to commence from 15th November 2023. Banks will establish their specific cut-off dates based on readiness after User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Both the upgraded and legacy eBRC systems will operate simultaneously until all banks transition to the upgraded system.
4. Mandatory API Integration: All banks are required to integrate using Application Programming Interface (API) for prompt data exchange. The deadline for transition to API integration with the upgraded eBRC system is 31st January 2024.
5. Outreach and Awareness: The user guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the revamped eBRC system will be available on the DGFT website. Additionally, DGFT will organize Exporter Outreach Programs to demonstrate and raise awareness about the upgraded eBRC facility.
6. Feedback Channels: Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on purpose codes and rulesets via the DGFT website. Support channels, including a toll-free helpdesk support number and an online helpdesk ticket system, are established for addressing eBRC-related issues, suggestions, or feedback.
Conclusion: The pilot launch of the enhanced eBRC system marks a significant step towards a more efficient and transparent trade facilitation process. Exporters and stakeholders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the guidelines and actively participate in the pilot phase, providing valuable feedback for further refinement. The Government’s commitment to easing the burden on exporters and promoting ease of doing business is evident in this initiative.
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Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Trade Notice No. 33/2023-24 | Dated: Date: 10th November 2023
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: Pilot Launch of the Upgraded Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (eBRC) system for self-certification by Exporters -reg
Self-Certification for Exporters: Reference Para 1.07 of the Foreign Trade Policy, it is a commitment of this directorate to facilitate exports and imports, with a focus on efficient, transparent, and accountable delivery systems. To further improve trade facilitation for exporters, this directorate has implemented an enhanced electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) system. This more streamlined process is based on electronic Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) to be transmitted directly by banks to DGFT. Based on the IRMs received, the exporters shall self-certify their eBRCs.
2. Streamlined Workflow: The enhanced eBRC system shall enable exporters to reduce transaction time and costs. It would also ease the burden on bankers by simplifying the reconciliation of IRMs with shipping bills, SOFTEX, invoices, etc. and promote ease of doing business in general. A summary of the revamped eBRC system workflow is as follows –
i. Banks receiving Export Remittances will push the IRM message to the DGFT IT system electronically.
ii. Banks shall push the IRMs pertaining to the Trade Account only and not the IRMs pertain to Capital Account etc. i.e., remittances pertaining to Goods or Services Exports.
iii. IRM details will be accessible to the relevant IEC holder upon logging onto the DGFT Website (https://dgft.gov.in). Since IECs are linked to PAN, only the concerned IEC holder will have visibility to their IRM.
iv. Exporter will create eBRCs by matching IRM with relevant shipping bills, SOFTEX, or invoice details. Multiple IRMs may be grouped under one eBRC, or one IRM can be split amongst several eBRCs.
v. eBRCs can be generated for Goods Exports, Services Exports, Deemed Exports.
vi. The RBI Purpose Code and other fields mentioned in the IRM shall be used to validate the eBRC fields being certified by the Exporter.
vii. Banks will have access to all eBRCs created from the IRMs they input. Banks would have the option to flag any eBRC for further examination or request input from the exporter concerned.
3. Pilot Launch: A soft launch of the revamped eBRC system is proposed with effect from 15th November 2023. Starting from given date, each bank will set its cut-off date based on their readiness after completing User Acceptance Testing (UAT). IRMs dated on or after this bank-specific cut-off date will be sent to DGFT for exporters’ self-certification. For IRMs generated before this date, banks will generate eBRCs and submit them to DGFT, as per the legacy eBRC process. Both the upgraded and legacy eBRC systems will operate simultaneously until all banks transition to the upgraded eBRC system. The DGFT Website will host the list of banks with their respective IRM cut-off dates for reference of all stakeholders.
4. Mandatory API Integration: For prompt data exchange, all banks must integrate using Application Programming Interface (API). Exceptions, if any, would require a detailed justification. Banks are accordingly required to transition to API integration with the upgraded eBRC systems latest by 31st January 2024.
5. Outreach & Awareness: The revamped eBRC system’s user guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will be available on the DGFT Website under the Learn Section. Additionally, DGFT will organize Exporter Outreach Programs to demonstrate and raise awareness about the revamped eBRC facility.
6. Feedback: Concordance of the purpose codes to the eBRC fields may be perused by navigating to the DGFT website –> Services –> eBRC. The validation rules used for eBRC generation are also available there for your reference. Stakeholder feedback (if any) on the concordance or the rulesets may be submitted to ebrc-dgft@gov.in
7. Support Channels: Exporters and other stakeholders may contact the DGFT Helpdesk for eBRC-related issues, suggestions, or feedback through the following channels –
i. Call the Toll-Free Helpdesk Support Number.
ii. Raise a Helpdesk ticket by navigating to DGFT website — > Services — > DGFT Helpdesk Service. Users may also track their earlier helpdesk ticket status or search previously filed helpdesk tickets.
This is issued with the approval of competent authority.
(Md. Moin Afaque)
Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade
e-mail: ebrc-dgft@gov.in
(Issued from File No. 01/02/127/AM22/EG&TF)
