What is eBRC? (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate): Meaning, how to Check & Download

What is eBRC?

An eBRC (Electronic Bank Realization Certificate) is digital proof you can generate from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal once you receive payment for an export. Simply put, it confirms that you’ve been paid for your goods or services.

This certificate is important because it helps you report your earnings, file taxes easily, and even access government benefits meant for exporters including low-cost loans, subsidies, duty exemptions and more. 

From BRC to eBRC

Before eBRC, getting a Bank Realization Certificate (BRC) was a tedious process. Exporters had to visit their bank, apply for a physical BRC, and then submit it to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The DGFT would manually enter transaction details, making the process slow and complicated, especially for claiming export incentives.

In 2012, the DGFT introduced eBRC, eliminating the need for physical visits to the bank and a lot of paperwork. Now, banks transmit Inward Remittance Messages (IRM) digitally to DGFT and an exporter can match their shipping bill/SOFTEX details with their payment and generate an eBRC on the DGFT portal. 

Why Do Exporters Need an eBRC?

Compliance with DGFT regulations

DGFT has made it mandatory for all exporters to apply for and receive the eBRC to demonstrate that they have received payment for their exported goods or services per DGFT regulations.

Simplifying export documentation

The eBRC system provides a digital record of export transactions, making it easier for exporters to maintain and retrieve records for audit and compliance. Additionally, exporters can avoid visiting the bank and DGFT offices. 

Claiming Exporter Benefits

One of the main reasons exporters apply for the eBRC is to reap the benefits of various export benefits offered by the Indian government under its Foreign Trade Policy. Submitting an eBRC allows the exporters to be eligible for benefits such as low-cost loans, duty exemptions, subsidies, etc. 

How does eBRC work?

The eBRC process connects your export shipment, payment realization, and DGFT records to create digital proof that you received payment for your exports.

Step 1: Receive the export payment

Once your overseas buyer makes the payment, your bank or payment service provider receives the inward remittance. If the payment comes through a PSP, you typically receive a FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) as proof of receipt.

Step 2: Bank creates and shares IRM details

Your Authorised Dealer (AD) bank records the payment as an IRM (Inward Remittance Message) and electronically shares the realization details with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade system.

Step 3: Match IRM with export documents

The exporter logs into the DGFT portal and matches the IRM against the relevant shipping bill, SOFTEX entry, or export invoice details. The system also allows multiple IRMs to be mapped against a single export transaction where required.

Step 4: Generate eBRC and complete closure

Once the details are matched and validated, the eBRC is generated on the DGFT portal. Exporters can then use the eBRC for export incentive claims and submit the required documents to their bank for EDPMS closure and compliance tracking.

How to check eBRC status on DGFT Website?

We have gone through the DGFT portal to figure out how to check eBRC status so that you don't have to. Here's a quick summary:

Open DGFT eBRC Services: Visit the Directorate General of Foreign Trade portal and navigate to Services → eBRC

eBRC Status Check

Select “View eBRC”: Under the eBRC services page, click the View any e-BRC option.

eBRC Status Check

Enter Export Details: Fill in the required information, including: IEC (Importer Exporter Code), eBRC Number, Shipping Bill or Invoice Number, and Port Code.

Complete CAPTCHA Verification: Enter the CAPTCHA code displayed on the screen.

eBRC Status Check

View eBRC: Click View eBRC to access the eBRC details linked to the entered export transaction.

How to Download eBRC from DGFT Website?

Is eBRC required for freelancers receiving foreign payments?

No, eBRC is not mandatory for most freelancers receiving foreign payments.

The eBRC (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate) is primarily required for exporters of goods and software services that fall under the purview of the DGFT or are covered under SOFTEX regulations. It is used to claim export incentives like RoDTEP or SEIS, and to comply with certain regulatory filings.

However, if you're a freelancer offering services like marketing, design, consulting, writing, or other non-software services, and you're not registered under DGFT or filing for export schemes, you typically do not need an eBRC.

What you’ll usually need instead: For most freelancers, a FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) is sufficient. It serves as a bank-issued proof of receiving foreign currency into your Indian account and is often used for accounting, tax filings, and general documentation.

How to Claim Export Incentives using eBRC

In India, the DGFT decides on the value of the incentives which an exporter can seek under the various export benefits. The value is decided by analysing the Free on Board (FOB) of the exported goods and services mentioned in the shipping bills, and the total received payments per the eBRC. 

Here's how you can claim these benefits with eBRC:

However, you must ensure that the bank has submitted an error-free e-BRC and it reflects the consolidated realisation value. Furthermore, you must enter freight values, insurance and commission values in the refund application, as the e-BRC excludes such values. 

How Skydo helps with eBRC generation

eBRC is essential for export compliance, DGFT processes, and claiming export incentives. But manually matching remittances with shipping bills and generating eBRCs can be time-consuming.

Skydo simplifies this process.

With Skydo:

Skydo also gives you: