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RBI allows online download of GR export declaration forms

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/421 · issued 26 Mar 2009 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI now lets exporters download GR Forms from its website instead of buying them from regional offices. This simplifies export documentation. The physical purchase option will be phased out within a year. AD Category-I banks must inform their customers.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore helps a local exporter who needs a GR Form for a shipment of software. The officer shows the exporter how to download the form from RBI's website, reminds him to set his printer to legal-size paper, and explains that soon he won't be able to buy paper forms from the RBI office anymore.

What changed

Previously, exporters had to buy GR Forms from RBI regional offices at Re. 1 each. Now, they can download the forms online from RBI's website. The physical purchase option will be discontinued within one year.

What it means for you

This move reduces paperwork and saves time for exporters and banks. Banks should guide customers on using the online forms and ensure compliance with legal-size paper requirements. The phase-out of physical forms may reduce footfall at RBI offices.

What you must do

Who it affects

AD Category-I banks, Exporters of goods and software, RBI regional offices

❓ Common questions

Can exporters still buy GR Forms from RBI offices?

Yes, for now. But this facility will be phased out within one year from the circular date.

What paper size is required for the downloaded GR Form?

Exporters must use legal-size paper (8.5 x 14 inches) and set printer settings to legal size before printing.

How is the GR number assigned for online forms?

The GR number is automatically allotted when the document goes to the print queue.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I banks is invited to Regulation 3 of Notification No. FEMA/23 dated 3rd May 2000 [Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2000] as amended from time to time, in terms of which every exporter of goods or software in physical form or through any other form, either directly or indirectly, to any place outside India, other than Nepal and Bhutan, shall furnish to the specified authority, a declaration in one of the forms set out in the Schedule thereto. 2. At present, GR Forms [to be completed in duplicate for export otherwise than by Post including export of software in physical form i.e. magnetic tapes / discs and paper media] can be obtained by the exporters from the Regional Offices of the Reserve Bank at the cost of Re. 1. As part of simplifying the procedures, it has been decided to make the GR Forms available on-line on the Reserve Bank's website www.rbi.org.in . Accordingly, the exporters have the option to use the GR Forms available on-line as well. While downloading the GR-Forms, the exporter may ensure to use 'Legal' size paper i.e. 8.5 * 14 inches. Further, both the printer (printing preference) and the paper size in the page setup option have to be set to legal size before printing. The GR number will be automatically allotted when the document goes to the print queue. 3. The exporters will continue to have the facility of purchasing the GR Forms from the Regional Offices of the Reserve Bank, as hitherto. However, this facility would be phased out within a period of one year. 4. AD Category - I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned. 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 is without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/421 · issued 26 Mar 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks, Exporters of goods and software, RBI regional offices), your first concrete step on “RBI allows online download of GR export declaration forms” is: “Inform all export customers about the online GR Form download option on RBI's website.” (RBI issued this 26 Mar 2009).

  1. Circular: RBI/2008-09/421 -- RBI allows online download of GR export declaration forms
  2. Issued: 26 Mar 2009
  3. Action required: Inform all export customers about the online GR Form download option on RBI's website.
  4. Action required: Advise exporters to use legal-size paper (8.5 x 14 inches) and set printer preferences accordingly.
  5. Action required: Remind customers that physical purchase of GR Forms will be phased out within a year.
  6. Action required: Ensure your bank's export processing staff are aware of the new online procedure.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4907&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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