What is BRC
Bank Realisation Certificate — explained
Every export shipment generates a Shipping Bill. Every inward foreign payment generates a BRC. Closing the BRC links the two — confirming that money was received for the goods exported.
What is BRC?
A Bank Realisation Certificate (BRC / e-BRC) is a document issued by your bank confirming that foreign exchange from your export has been received in India and credited to your account. It is generated on the EDPMS portal (RBI's Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) and linked to your Shipping Bill on ICEGATE.
Why does it matter?
BRC closure unlocks your export incentives and proves FEMA compliance:
Duty Drawback — customs refund of input duties
IGST Refund — reclaim IGST paid on inputs
RoDTEP — Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products
Advance Authorisation — duty-free imports for exports
Duty Drawback — customs refund of input duties
IGST Refund — reclaim IGST paid on inputs
RoDTEP — Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products
Advance Authorisation — duty-free imports for exports
When must it be done?
9 months from Shipping Bill date for most export categories
12 months for software, services, and project exports
As approved by RBI for consignment exports and notified goods
Missing the deadline triggers a FEMA show-cause notice from the Enforcement Directorate.
12 months for software, services, and project exports
As approved by RBI for consignment exports and notified goods
Missing the deadline triggers a FEMA show-cause notice from the Enforcement Directorate.
Step-by-Step
How BRC Closure Works
From shipment to "Realised" status on ICEGATE — here is the complete flow.
✓
Export Goods — Shipping Bill Filed on ICEGATE
Your CHA files the Shipping Bill electronically on ICEGATE. Customs grants LEO (Let Export Order). The Shipping Bill gets a unique SB number. At this point, its status is "Pending Realisation". This is your starting point for BRC closure.
Portal: ICEGATE · Filed by: CHA / Exporter
✓
Buyer Pays — Foreign Remittance Arrives in India
The foreign buyer sends payment (TT / wire transfer / LC payment / DP). The remittance arrives at your AD (Authorised Dealer) bank in India. Your bank receives the foreign currency, converts it at the prevailing rate, and credits your account.
Payment modes: TT · LC · DP/DA · Advance Payment
✓
Bank Issues FIRC and Updates EDPMS
Your bank issues a FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) as proof of the incoming payment. The bank also updates the EDPMS portal (RBI's system) with the inward remittance details — linking the payment to your IEC code.
FIRC: collect from your bank · EDPMS: updated by bank
✓
Bank Generates e-BRC Against the FIRC
Once the FIRC is in the system, your bank generates the e-BRC (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate) on the EDPMS portal. This e-BRC contains: FIRC number, amount realised, bank name, date of realisation, and your Shipping Bill reference. Download the e-BRC from your bank's portal.
Action required: Follow up with your bank if delayed
5
Link e-BRC to Shipping Bill on ICEGATE
File the e-BRC reference against your Shipping Bill on ICEGATE. Your CHA can do this, or ShipGlobal's Exim Mentors can handle it for you. The system matches the BRC amount to the Shipping Bill value. If they match, ICEGATE updates the Shipping Bill status to "Realised".
Portal: ICEGATE · Can be done by: CHA / Exim Mentor
✓
BRC Closed — Status: Realised ✅
Your Shipping Bill now shows "Realised" on ICEGATE. The FEMA obligation for this shipment is complete. Your duty drawback, IGST refund, and RoDTEP claims can now proceed. Keep the e-BRC and FIRC on record for at least 7 years.
Incentives unlocked: Duty Drawback · RoDTEP · IGST Refund
Documents Checklist
What you need for BRC Closure
Tick off each document as you collect it. All are needed before your CHA or Exim Mentor can file the BRC on ICEGATE.
Shipping Bill Copy
With SB number, date, port, IEC, GSTIN and LEO endorsement. Download from ICEGATE using your IEC.
🔴 Mandatory
e-BRC (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate)
Issued by your bank on EDPMS. Contains FIRC number, amount, and date of realisation.
🔴 Mandatory
FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate)
Proof of foreign payment receipt. Issued by your bank when they receive the wire transfer. Reference number is linked to the e-BRC.
🔴 Mandatory
Export Commercial Invoice
The invoice used at the time of export. Value must match or reconcile with the BRC amount. Used to verify shipment vs. payment amounts.
🔴 Mandatory
IEC & GSTIN Details
Your active Importer Exporter Code and GST number — must match the Shipping Bill exactly. Provided to your CHA or Exim Mentor for ICEGATE login.
🔴 Mandatory
Bank Statement / Payment Advice
Shows the credit entry for the foreign payment. Useful when the BRC amount differs slightly due to bank charges deducted at source.
🟡 Sometimes required
Letter of Credit (LC) Copy
If payment was made under an LC, the LC copy and presentation documents are needed to trace the realisation back to the specific Shipping Bill.
🟡 LC shipments only
Buyer Payment Confirmation Email
Email or written confirmation from the buyer showing the transfer date and invoice number. Helps match payments to specific Shipping Bills in case of partial or delayed payments.
🟡 Partial / delayed payments
Payment Scenarios
How BRC Closure works for different payment types
The process varies slightly depending on how your buyer pays. Here is what to know for each method.
Telegraphic Transfer (TT / Wire)
The most common method. Buyer sends a wire transfer directly to your bank. FIRC is issued immediately after credit. Bank updates EDPMS and generates e-BRC within 24–72 hours. Straightforward BRC closure.
✓ Fastest BRC closure — typically within 2–3 working days of payment receipt
Advance Payment (100% or Partial)
Payment received before export. FIRC will be available before the Shipping Bill is filed. BRC closure is done after the Shipping Bill is filed by matching the pre-received FIRC to the SB number on ICEGATE.
✓ Link FIRC to SB after filing — mention "advance payment" when instructing your CHA
Letter of Credit (LC)
Payment comes via your negotiating bank after LC documents are presented. The advising bank forwards payment to your account. FIRC is issued by your bank. BRC closure requires the LC number and negotiation details.
✓ Provide LC number and negotiation date to your CHA when closing BRC
Documents Against Payment (DP)
Export documents sent through banking channels. Buyer pays on sight — bank releases documents. Payment arrives via collecting bank. Slightly longer BRC cycle due to transit through multiple banks.
⏱ Allow 7–15 extra days for BRC generation vs. direct TT payments
Partial / Instalment Payments
Common for large orders. Each payment generates a separate FIRC. Multiple FIRCs can be linked to one Shipping Bill, or each payment can be partially applied. Total realised must equal the SB value for full closure.
⚠️ Keep a reconciliation sheet — partial BRCs must be tracked carefully to hit 100%
Third-Party / Agent Payments
If payment is received from a different entity than the buyer (e.g. a buying agent or group company), it requires prior RBI approval or a tripartite agreement. Inform your bank before accepting third-party remittances.
⚠️ Requires RBI/AD bank approval — consult Exim Mentor before accepting
Deadlines & Penalties
Know the limits — and what's at stake
FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999) is strict about export realisation timelines. Here is what applies to your export.
Export Realisation Timelines
Timeline runs from the date of the Shipping Bill (date of Let Export Order). Check with your AD bank for product-specific extensions.
Physical goods (most categories)
9 months
Software exports (STPI)
12 months
Services / intangible exports
12 months
Notified goods / projects abroad
As per RBI approval
Status Holder Exporters (One Star+)
12 months
Advance payment received
Ship within 1 year
⚠️ Consequences of Non-Closure
FEMA Show-Cause Notice (SCN) — issued by the Enforcement Directorate if proceeds are not repatriated within the deadline. Requires a written response with reasons.
Compounding Penalty — up to 3× the unrealised amount under Section 13 of FEMA 1999. Compounding application to RBI is necessary to settle the violation.
Blocked Export Incentives — duty drawback, RoDTEP, and IGST refund claims are held pending BRC closure. Significant cash-flow impact for large exporters.
IEC Suspension Risk — DGFT can suspend or cancel the IEC if multiple unrealised Shipping Bills accumulate without action.
Caution Listing by Banks — AD banks may put the exporter on a caution list, restricting future advance payments or foreign currency transactions.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Yes — this is very common. When the BRC amount is slightly less than the Shipping Bill FOB value due to deducted bank charges, you can file a "short realisation" on ICEGATE. Your CHA/Exim Mentor submits a debit note or a bank charge proof alongside the BRC to justify the difference. Customs generally accepts deductions for genuine bank charges, but the shortfall must be declared.
Technically you can file it yourself on ICEGATE if you have a Class 3 DSC and ICEGATE registration. However, most exporters use their CHA (who filed the original Shipping Bill) as it is faster and avoids errors. ShipGlobal's Exim Mentors can also handle the end-to-end BRC closure on your behalf — especially useful if you have multiple pending Shipping Bills.
Log in to ICEGATE (icegate.gov.in) with your IEC and DSC. Go to Services → eSANCHIT / Shipping Bill Enquiry. Search by SB number or IEC+date range. The status column will show "Pending Realisation" or "Realised". You can also check via the DGFT portal or ask your bank for an EDPMS statement showing all pending SBs.
Apply to your AD bank for an extension before the deadline expires. The bank can grant one extension, typically up to 6 months, for genuine commercial reasons (buyer dispute, transit delay, deferred payment terms). For long-term disputes or inability to recover, file a write-off application or a lump-sum settlement application with your bank. Consult an Exim Mentor early — acting before the deadline is far better than responding to an SCN.
The FIRC is available immediately since payment came before export. After you file the Shipping Bill and receive the LEO, your CHA can immediately link the pre-existing FIRC/e-BRC to the SB on ICEGATE. There is no separate deadline for this — the BRC can be closed the same day the Shipping Bill is filed. Just ensure your bank has already recorded the advance inward remittance on EDPMS.
Yes, the FEMA obligation applies to all exports regardless of value. However, for low-value courier exports (typically below USD 25,000) where payment is received through platforms like PayPal, Payoneer, or Amazon Pay, the FIRC is issued directly by the payment platform. Your bank still needs to record the inward remittance on EDPMS. ShipGlobal's Exim Mentors can help you consolidate multiple small-value BRCs efficiently.
Exim Mentor Service
Let ShipGlobal's Exim Mentors close your BRC for you
Tracking EDPMS, chasing banks, filing on ICEGATE — BRC closure is time-consuming and easy to get wrong. Our Exim Mentors handle the end-to-end process: collecting your e-BRC, reconciling amounts, and filing on ICEGATE. You stay compliant, we do the paperwork.
Fast Turnaround
BRC filed within 1–2 working days
FEMA Compliant
100% within 9-month deadline
Incentives Unlocked
Duty Drawback · RoDTEP · IGST
Dedicated Support
Expert guidance on every case
