FEMA: Compilation of R-Returns: Reporting under FETERS

In terms of A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No.77 dated March 13, 2004 and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 30 dated February 25, 2008, the Reserve Bank of India had issued  guidelines to all AD Category-I banks for compilation of R-Returns and reporting under the Foreign Exchange Transactions – Electronic Reporting System (FETERS).

On further review, the Reserve Bank has advised the AD Category-I banks about the following changes in reporting of R-Returns under FETERS from the next financial year (i.e., transactions taking place from April 1, 2012) :

1. The purpose codes for classification and reporting of foreign exchange transactions in FETERS have been revised. Accordingly, all AD Category-I banks should report all foreign exchange transactions as per the revised purpose code list with effect from first fortnight of April 2012.
2. All AD banks should indicate purpose codes for all foreign exchange transactions (including receipts under non-export transactions below  Rs.  5 lakhs) under FETERS. The present system of reporting of non-export transactions below Rs. 5 lakhs (a) on a consolidated basis in BoP file and (b) submission of purpose-wise distribution of a sample of such small receipt transactions (as part of R-return in the URS file under FETERS), will be discontinued for transactions beyond March 31, 2012.
3. The amount field in all FETERS files will be increased to 15-digit format.
4. 6-digit port code will be used uniformly for reporting under FETERS.

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RBI/2011-12/413
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84

February 29, 2012

To

All Authorised Dealers in Foreign Exchange

Madam / Sir,

Compilation of R-Returns: Reporting under FETERS

Attention of Authorised Dealer (Category I) banks is invited to A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No.77 dated March 13, 2004 giving guidelines for compilation of R-Returns and reporting under the Foreign Exchange Transactions – Electronic Reporting System (FETERS), and also the A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No. 30 dated February 25, 2008 on the move from the system of ‘branch-wise’ reporting to ‘bank-wise’ reporting under the FETERS.

2.   Several subsequent developments have necessitated further modifications in FETERS. These include:

1. The Working Group on Balance of Payments (BoP) Manual for India (Chairman: Shri Deepak Mohanty) constituted by the Reserve Bank reviewed, inter alia, the existing methodology for compilation of India’s BoP with a view to making it consistent with the guidelines contained in the Sixth edition of Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM6) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Working Group made several recommendations for improving the present compilation procedure as well as presentation of India’s BoP statistics conforming to international best practices.
2. With the transition to core banking system (CBS), move to complete transaction reporting is warranted instead of relying on the unclassified receipts survey (URS) for purpose-wise distribution of the consolidated amount under non-export receipts below a threshold.
3. Directorate General of Systems (Customs and Central Excise), Govt.of India now issues 6-digit port-code as per UNLOCODE scheme in place of 2-digit    port-code earlier issued by RBI.

3.   In view of the above, the following changes shall be effected in reporting of R-Returns from the next financial year (i.e.,transactions taking place from April 1, 2012):

1. The purpose codes for classification and reporting of foreign exchange transactions in FETERS should be as per the revised classification. Accordingly, all AD category-I banks are advised to report all foreign exchange transactions as per the revised purpose code list with effect from first fortnight of April 2012 as per the attached guidelines.
2. AD banks may indicate purpose codes for all foreign exchange transactions (including receipts under non-export transactions below Rs. 5 lakhs) under FETERS. The present system of reporting of non-export transactions below Rs. 5 lakhs (a) on a consolidated basis in BoP file and (b) submission of purpose-wise distribution of a sample of such small receipt transactions (as part of R-return in the URS file under FETERS), will be discontinued for transactions beyond March 31, 2012.
3. The amount field in all FETERS files will be increased to 15-digit format.
4. 6-digit port code will be used uniformly for reporting under FETERS.

4. The revised Guidelines for Submission of Data under the FETERS are attached herewith.

5. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.

Yours faithfully,

(Rashmi Fauzdar)
Chief General Manager