HomeCirculars › RBI/2004-05/264

Export Realisation Period Extended to 12 Months for EOUs

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2004-05/264 · issued 01 Nov 2004 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has extended the export realisation period from six to twelve months for 100% EOUs and units under EHTP, STP, and BTP schemes, effective for exports from September 1, 2004. Existing EEFC credit guidelines remain unchanged.

What changed

The realisation and repatriation period for export proceeds has been extended from six months to twelve months for 100% Export Oriented Units and units under EHTP, STP, and BTP schemes. This change applies to exports made on or after September 1, 2004, following the government's Foreign Trade Policy announcement in September 2004.

What it means for you

Banks can now allow these eligible units up to twelve months to bring back export proceeds, reducing compliance pressure and potential defaults. The relaxation supports export-oriented sectors by providing more working capital flexibility, but AD banks must ensure existing EEFC account rules continue to apply without change.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

Authorised Dealer banks handling export transactions, 100% Export Oriented Units (EOUs), Units under Electronics Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs), Units under Software Technology Parks (STPs), Units under Bio-Technology Parks (BTPs)

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Does this circular apply to exports made before September 1, 2004?

No, the relaxation is only for exports made on or after September 1, 2004. Earlier exports continue to follow the six-month realisation period.

Are EEFC account rules changed for these units?

No, the existing guidelines for 100% credit of foreign exchange earnings to EEFC accounts remain unchanged as per the circular.

Which legal provisions empower this circular?

The circular is issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and is without prejudice to other permissions or approvals required under any other law.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2004-05/264 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 25 November 1, 2004 To All Banks Authorised to Deal in Foreign Exchange Madam / Sirs, Export of Goods and Services Period of Realisation for Export Oriented Units (EOUs) Attention of Authorised Dealer (AD) banks is invited to the proviso 3 of sub-regulation (1) of Regulation 9 of Notification No. FEMA 23/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 in terms of which the Reserve Bank has been empowered to extend the period for realisation and repatriation of export proceeds to India beyond six months. 2. Following the announcement by the Government in the Foreign Trade Policy in September 2004, it has been decided that 100 per cent Export Oriented Units (EOUs) and units set up under the Electronics Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs), Software Technology Parks (STPs) and Bio-Technology Parks (BTPs) Schemes would be allowed to realise and repatriate the full value of export proceeds within a period of twelve months from the date of export. 3. The existing guidelines relating to 100 per cent credit of foreign exchange earnings to EEFC account by the above units would continue as hitherto. 4. This relaxation will be available in respect of exports made on or after September 1, 2004. 5. Authorised Dealer banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers. 6. The direction contained in this circular has been issued under Sections10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act,1999 (42 of 1999) and is without prejudice to permissions/approvals, if any, required under any other law. Yours faithfully F. R. Joseph Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2004-05/264 · issued 01 Nov 2004. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2003&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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