Executive Summary:
This trade notice announces the pilot launch of an upgraded electronic Bank Realization Certificate (eBRC) system enabling self-certification by exporters, effective November 15, 2023. Banks must transition to API integration by January 31, 2024. The revamped system aims to streamline the eBRC process, reduce transaction times and costs, and improve trade facilitation.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Enhanced eBRC System:**
* Streamlined process based on electronic Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs) sent directly from banks to DGFT.
* Exporters can self-certify eBRCs based on received IRMs.
* Aims to reduce transaction time and costs, and simplify reconciliation.
* **Workflow:**
* Banks push IRMs to DGFT IT system electronically (Trade Account only).
* IEC holders access IRM details on the DGFT website.
* Exporters create eBRCs by matching IRMs with shipping bills, SOFTEX, or invoice details.
* eBRCs can be generated for Goods Exports, Services Exports, Deemed Exports.
* RBI Purpose Code validates eBRC fields certified by the Exporter.
* Banks can flag eBRCs for examination or request input from the exporter.
* **Pilot Launch:**
* Soft launch from November 15, 2023.
* Banks set their cutoff date after User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
* IRMs dated on or after the bank-specific cutoff date will be sent to DGFT for exporter self-certification.
* IRMs before cutoff date use the legacy eBRC process.
* Both systems operate simultaneously until full transition.
* DGFT website will list banks and their IRM cutoff dates.
* **API Integration:**
* Mandatory API integration for all banks for prompt data exchange.
* Transition to API integration required by January 31, 2024.
* **Outreach & Support:**
* User guide and FAQs available on DGFT website.
* DGFT will conduct Exporter Outreach Programs.
* Stakeholder feedback on purpose codes and rulesets can be submitted to ebrcdgftgov.in.
* DGFT Helpdesk available for eBRC-related support via toll-free number or helpdesk ticket.
Impact Analysis:
Exporters:
* Impact: Streamlined eBRC process, reduced transaction times and costs, self-certification capability.
* Action Required: Familiarize themselves with the upgraded eBRC system, user guide, and FAQs. Utilize the DGFT website to create eBRCs by matching IRMs with relevant documents.
Banking and Financial Institutions:
* Impact: Simplified reconciliation of IRMs, requirement to push IRMs to the DGFT system, option to flag eBRCs.
* Action Required: Integrate using API by January 31, 2024. Set a cutoff date after completing UAT. Transition to sending IRMs electronically.
DGFT Regional Authorities:
* Impact: Implementation and support of the upgraded eBRC system.
* Action Required: Support exporters and banks in the transition to the new system.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): The directorate responsible for facilitating exports and imports as mentioned in the Foreign Trade Policy.
Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (eBRC): A certificate related to export remittances, the system for which is being upgraded for self-certification by exporters.
Foreign Trade Policy: The policy under which the DGFT operates, and to which the upgraded eBRC system relates (reference para 1.07)
Electronic Inward Remittance Messages (IRMs): Electronic messages transmitted by banks to DGFT, which are the basis for the self-certified eBRCs.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The central bank whose Purpose Codes are used to validate the eBRC fields.
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi: The location of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Application Programming Interface (API): The integration method that all banks must use for data exchange with the upgraded eBRC system by January 31, 2024.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Testing to be completed by each bank prior to setting cutoff date for sending IRMs to DGFT for exporters self certification
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Department of Commerce
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
Date: 10th November 2023
Trade Notice 33/2023-24
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)