RBI Simplifies Export Declaration Forms for Goods and Software
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/254 · issued 13 Sep 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI introduces a common Export Declaration Form (EDF) for goods from non-EDI ports and a unified SOFTEX form for software exports, replacing older GR/PP forms. Online generation of form numbers via RBI website begins October 1, 2013, with manual allotment discontinued.
The rule, in the simplest words
Starting October 1, 2013, exporters must use a new form called 'Export Declaration Form (EDF)' for goods shipped from non-EDI ports (ports that don't use electronic data interchange), replacing old GR/PP forms.
For software exports, a single 'SOFTEX Form' now works for both single and bulk (many at once) declarations, replacing separate forms.
Exporters must declare every export, even if the value is less than US$25,000, using these new forms.
Exporters must get their form number online from the RBI website (www.rbi.org.in) starting October 1, 2013; manual number allotment from RBI offices stops.
Banks must accept only the new EDF and SOFTEX forms after October 1, 2013, and guide exporters to use the online system.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore helps a local software exporter client, Priya, who exports small software projects worth US$10,000 each. The officer explains that from October 1, 2013, Priya must use the new unified SOFTEX form for her declarations, and she can generate the form number online via the RBI website instead of visiting the RBI regional office. The officer updates the bank's internal system to accept the new form and ensures Priya knows to declare every transaction, no matter how small.
What changed
RBI replaced the existing GR/PP forms for export of goods from non-EDI ports with a single Export Declaration Form (EDF). For software exports, a common SOFTEX form now covers both single and bulk declarations. Exporters must declare all transactions, including those below US$25,000, using these new forms.
What it means for you
Banks and ADs must update their export documentation processes to accept the new EDF and SOFTEX forms from October 1, 2013. The shift to online generation of form numbers via RBI's website reduces manual intervention, streamlining compliance for exporters. All export declarations, regardless of value, now require the new forms, ensuring uniformity.
What you must do
Inform all exporter clients about the new EDF and SOFTEX forms effective October 1, 2013.
Update internal systems to accept and process the new forms for export declarations.
Guide exporters on online generation of EDF/SOFTEX form numbers via RBI website.
Ensure no manual allotment of form numbers is accepted after the effective date.
Who it affects
Authorised Dealers in foreign exchange, Exporters of goods and software, RBI regional offices handling manual form number allotment
❓ Common questions
What forms are being replaced by the new EDF?
The EDF replaces the existing GR and PP forms for export of goods from non-EDI ports.
Do I need to declare exports below US$25,000?
Yes, all export transactions, including those less than US$25,000, must be declared using the applicable new form.
How do exporters get the new form numbers?
Exporters can generate EDF and SOFTEX form numbers online through RBI's website, replacing the earlier manual allotment by RBI regional offices.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/254
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.43
September 13, 2013
To
All Authorised Dealers in Foreign Exchange
Madam / Sir,
Export of Goods and Services-
Simplification and Revision of Declaration Form for Exports of Goods/Softwares
Attention of the Authorised Dealers is invited to Regulation 6 of the Notification No.FEMA 23/2000-RB dated May 3, 2000 viz. Foreign Exchange Management (Export of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2000, as amended by the Notification No.FEMA 36/2001-RB dated February 27, 2001 and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 80 dated February 15, 2012 , in terms of which every exporter of goods or softwares has to give declaration in one of the forms (GR/PP/SDF/SOFTEX/Bulk SOFTEX) and submit it to the specified authority for certification.
2. In order to simplify the existing form used for declaration of exports of Goods/Softwares, a common form called “Export Declaration Form” (EDF) has been devised to declare all types of export of goods from Non-EDI ports and a common “SOFTEX Form” to declare single as well as bulk software exports. The EDF will replace the existing GR/PP form used for declaration of export of Goods. The procedure relating to the exports of goods through EDI ports will remain the same and SDF form will be applicable as hitherto. The EDF and SOFTEX form have been given in Annex I and Annex II respectively.
3. Under the revised procedure, the exporters will have to declare all the export transactions, including those less than US$25000 , in the form as applicable.
4. Reserve Bank of India will be extending the facilities to exporters for online generation of SOFTEX Form No. (Single as well as Bulk) for use in Off-Site Software exports, in addition to EDF Form No. (Present web-based process of generation of GR Form No. gets replaced) through its website www.rbi.org.in . In order to generate the above number, the applicant has to fill-in the online form (Path www.rbi.org.in → Forms → FEMA → Forms Printing EDF/SOFTEX Form No.), thereafter, the related EDF/SOFTEX Form No. would be generated for each transaction by the applicant exporter. The specimen of online form and the advice are given in Annex III . The present facility of manual allotment of single as well bulk SOFTEX form number by Regional Offices of RBI would be dispensed with accordingly.
5. The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) requires exporters to complete the EDF/SOFTEX Form using the number so allotted and submit them to the specified authority first for certification and then to AD for necessary action as hitherto.
6. The above instruction will come into force from October 1, 2013 . Authorised Dealers may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.
7. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and Section 11(1) of the FEMA, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
(C.D.Srinivasan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/254 · issued 13 Sep 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update internal systems to accept and process the new forms for export declarations.
📜 Compliance
Inform all exporter clients about the new EDF and SOFTEX forms effective October 1, 2013.
Guide exporters on online generation of EDF/SOFTEX form numbers via RBI website.
Ensure no manual allotment of form numbers is accepted after the effective date.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Authorised Dealers in foreign exchange, Exporters of goods and software, RBI regional offices handling manual form number allotment), your first concrete step on “RBI Simplifies Export Declaration Forms for Goods and Software” is: “Inform all exporter clients about the new EDF and SOFTEX forms effective October 1, 2013.” (RBI issued this 13 Sep 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/254 -- RBI Simplifies Export Declaration Forms for Goods and Software
Issued: 13 Sep 2013
Action required: Inform all exporter clients about the new EDF and SOFTEX forms effective October 1, 2013.
Action required: Update internal systems to accept and process the new forms for export declarations.
Action required: Guide exporters on online generation of EDF/SOFTEX form numbers via RBI website.
Action required: Ensure no manual allotment of form numbers is accepted after the effective date.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
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.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=8411&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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