HiWiPay main logo
Banner image- EBRC certificate

EBRC for Exporters in 2025: A Guide to Compliance, GST Refunds & Incentives

Understanding the foreign inward remittance certificate (FIRC) is important for anyone dealing with international payments or money transfers. This document helps with following the rules and making sure that the foreign currency coming in meets RBI guidelines. Whether you are a freelancer, a startup, or a business in India, knowing about FIRC can bring many benefits. These may include tax benefits and rewards for exports. By having the right remittance details and proper documentation, you can successfully get an FIRC to help you reach your financial goals.

Table of Contents

Key Highlights

  • EBRC Defined: The Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (e-BRC) is a digital document issued by banks, confirming the receipt of foreign payments for exports.
  • Central Role: EBRC simplifies export transactions, ensuring compliance with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and enabling exporters to claim financial incentives.
  • GST Refund Opportunities: It plays a key role in GST refund claims, requiring accurate documentation such as shipping bills and proof of payment.
  • Download Support: Easy access through the DGFT website with a step-by-step guide for downloading and printing e-BRCs.
  • Time-Saving Process: The electronic nature reduces manual work, linking exports and payments seamlessly, and avoiding transaction errors.

Transitioning smoothly, let’s dive into the basics of e-BRC and its importance in export transactions.

Introduction

The Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (e-BRC) serves as proof of export payment receipt, issued digitally by banks. It marks a significant step in modernising export documentation, replacing cumbersome paperwork. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) introduced e-BRC to streamline processes and verify export transactions digitally. Accessible via the dgft website, this tool enhances compliance with trade guidelines and ensures hassle-free incentive claims, such as GST refunds. For every exporter in foreign trade, the e-BRC is indispensable.

This leads us to explore the pivotal role and importance of e-BRC.

Understanding EBRC and Its Importance For Exporters

An Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (e-BRC) is at the core of export transparency and efficiency. It verifies payments received in foreign currency, offering compliance with India’s export guidelines through the DGFT framework. Exporters no longer need paper BRCs, as e-BRCs ensure easy access and quick processing.

Its importance lies in unlocking export benefits like duty exemptions and GST refunds. With real-time data tracking, businesses can securely maintain financial details and avoid discrepancies in export transactions.

Why EBRC is Crucial for Exporters in India

  • Payment Proof: For Indian exporters, the e-BRC serves as more than just a payment proof; it acts as a gateway to trade opportunities backed by the Government of India.
  • Compliance Assurance: It ensures compliance with the foreign trade policy, providing access to duty exemptions and credit schemes such as EPCG.
  • Real-Time Tracking: With real-time tracking on DGFT’s servers, e-BRC minimizes errors and enhances transparency in export transactions.
  • Incentive Claims: Exporters can claim incentives through various schemes like MEIS and SEIS.
  • Shipping Bill Validation: The linked shipping bills facilitate precise validation of receipts.
  • Digitisation Alignment: The e-BRC’s digital-first approach aligns with India’s trade digitisation goals.
  • Efficiency for Businesses: It saves time and effort for both small businesses and large enterprises.
  • Reliable Payment Tracking: The e-BRC transforms payment tracking into a reliable, auditable source for government records.

Exporters must stay informed about RBI’s inward remittance rules to ensure compliance. Explore this resource for a clear breakdown of limits and implications.

Common Problems Exporters Facing Before EBRC

Before e-BRC arrived, exporters faced numerous challenges in documenting payment receipts. The manual BRC process involved several challenges that exporters faced:

  1. In-Person Visits: Exporters had to visit banks to complete the BRC process.
  2. Physical Forms: Filling out physical forms added to the complexity and time required.
  3. Tangible Certificates: Submitting certificates to DGFT for verification was a necessary step.
  4. Time Consumption: The entire process was time-consuming, often causing delays in claiming trade incentives.
  5. Data Entry Errors: The risk of mismatches in export transaction details led to potential denial of benefits.
  6. Compliance Issues: Misreporting or lost documentation increased audits and posed compliance hurdles.
  7. Fragmented Information: Exporters had to navigate fragmented information across various agencies.

The adoption of e-BRC simplified the process by centralising export documentation online. Moving forward, accessing e-BRC through the dgft website is now seamless, addressing older inefficiencies and paving the way for an electronic solution.

Comprehensive Guide to Downloading EBRC

Downloading your e-BRC via DGFT’s website is a straightforward process that saves time and ensures accuracy in export documentation. By logging into the portal, exporters can explore repositories that house bank realisation details.

The system offers precise filtering options, allowing users to search by date or transaction type. Once located, e-BRC can be printed for records or submitted digitally for verifying export transactions or claiming GST refunds. These features make accessing and managing your e-BRC hassle-free.

Step-by-Step Process to Access EBRC via the DGFT Website

Getting started with e-BRC download on the DGFT website is simple:

  • Login to DGFT: Visit the dgft website and use your credentials to log in.
  • My Dashboard: Go to “My Dashboard” and access the ‘Repositories’ section.
  • Filter Details: In the ‘Bills Repositories’ tab, choose “Bank Realisations (e-BRC)” from the dropdown menu.
  • Search by Date: Set the transaction date range to locate the specific e-BRC.
  • Download Option: Select the Bank Realisation Number and click “Print e-BRC” to download

What common problems may arise while downloading EBRC?

Facing errors during e-BRC download? 

➦Start by confirming internet connectivity and dgft server accessibility. Sometimes, outdated browser settings conflict; check for updates or clear your cache.

➦Another common hurdle arises with digital signatures. Ensure your bank’s signature matches the DGFT system requirements. Verify shipping bills linked to e-BRC for discrepancies in details.

➦If problems persist, reach out to DGFT’s support services for assistance. Timely communication can resolve technical glitches, ensuring correct transaction entries against export payments.

What is EBRC vs. FIRC vs. BRC?

EBRC has now replaced BRC and is mandatory for claiming most export incentives in India.

What  is MEIS & SEIS Understanding

🛳️ MEIS – Merchandise Exports from India Scheme

  • What:
    Government incentive for physical goods exported from India.
  • Who:
    Product exporters with valid shipping bills.
  • Why You Need EBRC:
    To confirm payment receipt and claim duty credit scrips via DGFT.

💼 SEIS – Service Exports from India Scheme

  • What:
    Incentive scheme for eligible service providers earning foreign currency.
  • Who:
    Exporters of IT, consulting, BPO, design, and more.
  • Why You Need EBRC:
    To prove foreign exchange earnings and apply for service-based rewards.

MEIS: Duty credits for product exporters—but no EBRC means no benefits.

SEIS: Up to 5% rewards for service exports—EBRC is the only accepted proof of forex earnings.

Utilizing EBRC for GST Refund Claims

Exporters play a key role in GST refund processing, leveraging e-BRC as proof of payment for exported goods or services. The certificate validates payments received, aligning them with GST filing requirements.

Linking relevant shipping bills with e-BRC ensures proper tax credit application. Its electronic issuance simplifies documentation, making GST refunds a quick and secure process.

Eligibility Criteria for GST Refunds Using EBRC

To file GST refund claims successfully, exporters must meet specific criteria:

  • Fulfill export transaction guidelines under foreign trade policy.
  • Possess valid e-BRC linked to the relevant shipping bill.
  • Ensure accurate reporting of export documentation to avoid issues.

Export refund applications require proof of payment with e-BRC data matching transaction details. Without verified e-BRC, GST claims may be invalid.

Exporters must ensure corrected bank Realisation values in e-BRC to meet GST compliance standards efficiently.

Start Receiving International Payments

Documentation Required for GST Refund Applications

Here’s what you need for GST refund submissions:

Document TypePurpose
Shipping BillsVerify export transactions.
e-BRC CertificateConfirm payment realisation against exports.
Proof of PaymentCross-check receipt from foreign buyers.
Export Invoice CopiesValidate FOB value and transaction amounts.
Electronic Data InterchangeEnsure quick filing data accuracy.

Conclusion

In global trade, getting paid isn’t enough—proving it matters more. EBRC ensures that exporters don’t lose out on legitimate refunds or incentives.  As India’s trade system moves digital-first, staying updated on tools like EBRC is essential to grow faster and stay compliant.

Need help with export payments or compliance tracking? Explore HiWiPay’s Export Dashboard

Frequently Asked Questions

How to generate ebrc?

Generating an e-BRC requires logging into the dgft website. Navigate to “Services,” select “eBRC Generation,” input export transaction details, and confirm via digital signature. Submit supporting documents with an electronic data interchange. Track progress and download eBRC once processed.

How can I check the status of my EBRC?

Log in to the DGFT website and head to “Repositories” under “My Dashboard.” Click “Bank Realisations (e-BRC)” and use filters like date range to retrieve BRC details. Linked transactions and their statuses are displayed here for seamless information checks.

What should I do if my EBRC is not reflecting the correct transaction details?

Ensure up-to-date brc details and payment receipts against export transactions. Contact your bank to correct discrepancies in the electronic bank realization certificate. If unresolved, discuss with the DGFT export data processing team for rectification under receipt of payments.

Can EBRC be used for multiple export transactions?

Yes, e-BRC applies to multiple transactions, linked to specific shipping bills or export documentation. Combining foreign inward remittance certificates can support goods and service exports, improving payment tracking across export transactions as part of regulatory incentives.

Let's Connect

Join the conversation

Yogesh Rajendra Sangle

Product Manager at HiWiPay

Yogesh is experienced Product Manager with 10+ years of experienced in IT industry. With deep expertise in fintech and a focus on B2B payment solutions for Indian exporters.