A limited liability partnership that bills foreign clients is a service exporter and should file a monthly Export Declaration Form with its AD bank. The EDF is signed on behalf of the LLP, usually by a designated partner the bank already recognises as an authorised signatory, and it is due within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoices were raised. The two things LLPs most often get wrong are who signs and what records they keep afterwards.
Key takeaways
- LLPs exporting services should assume the 2026 export regulations apply to them from 1 October 2026.
- The EDF is the LLP's declaration. A designated partner, or another person authorised by the LLP and recognised by the bank, signs Part 4.
- The bank may want evidence of who is authorised to sign for the LLP. Keep its signatory records current.
- One EDF per month covers all the LLP's foreign invoices from that month.
- Keep a simple EDF register linking invoices, EDFs, FIRAs and EDPMS closure. It makes audits and partner changes painless.
Why LLPs are clearly covered
RBI's comments on 7 October 2026 were about individuals: the Governor said individuals providing services abroad are not required to report, and RBI said FAQs would follow. An LLP is not an individual. It is a body corporate with its own PAN, GSTIN and bank account, and it contracts in its own name. Professional practices, agencies, consulting firms and boutique software houses organised as LLPs should file EDFs for their foreign invoices.
The filing authority follows the usual rules: the AD bank where the foreign money lands for non-SEZ services; the AD bank or STPI for software; the SEZ Development Commissioner for SEZ units.
Who signs the EDF for an LLP
Part 4 of the EDF is the exporter's declaration. It includes alternatives to strike out, such as "I/We", "will be received/has been received" and "foreign exchange/Indian Rupees", the date by which the full value will be received, and a signature with name.
For an LLP:
- Strike out "I" and keep "We", since the declaration is by the LLP.
- Sign as a designated partner or other authorised person, and write the name and designation clearly, for example "Ritu Malhotra, Designated Partner, for Banyan Consulting LLP".
- Use the signatory the bank already has on record. If your account mandate says any one designated partner may sign, any one can sign the EDF. If it says two jointly, check with the bank whether the EDF needs both.
Some banks may ask for a document showing the signatory is authorised to make such declarations, for example a partners' resolution or the relevant clause of the LLP agreement. Ask your bank what it needs rather than guessing. Our article on signing the EDF covers seals, scans and digital signatures.
When designated partners change
LLPs change partners more often than companies change directors. When a designated partner who signs EDFs leaves:
- Update the LLP's records as required by law, with your CA or company secretary.
- Tell your bank with a change of authorised signatory letter and the documents it asks for.
- Do not let the outgoing partner sign EDFs after the change takes effect.
- Note the change in your EDF register so it is clear who signed which month.
Worked example
Banyan Consulting LLP, Gurugram, has three designated partners. Its account mandate allows any one to sign. It advises clients in the UK, Singapore and the UAE.
October 2026 filing:
| Row | Client | Country | Currency | Amount | SAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferncliff Retail Ltd | UK | GBP | 8,200 | 998311 |
| 2 | Lumina Pte Ltd | Singapore | SGD | 14,600 | 998311 |
| 3 | Gulf Horizon Trading LLC | UAE | USD | 5,750 | 998311 |
Total value: about ₹23,30,000. Due: 30 November 2026.
Ritu Malhotra, a designated partner, signs Part 4 on 6 November, striking out "I" and keeping "We", keeping "will be received" for the two unpaid invoices and naming the expected date. Banyan sends the form with invoice copies and a covering letter through the channel its bank published.
In January 2027, partner Arjun Sethi retires. Banyan files the necessary updates, sends its bank a signatory change letter with supporting documents, and notes in its register that EDFs from January onward are signed by Ritu or the third partner.
Records every LLP should keep
An LLP is audited or reviewed regularly and partners come and go, so records need to survive the people who made them.
| Record | What it holds | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| EDF register | Month, invoices included, total value, date filed, signatory, acknowledgement | Shows filing history at a glance |
| Invoice file | Each export invoice with SAC, LUT wording and contract reference | Supports EDF rows and GST |
| FIRA file | FIRA/FIRC or bank advice per receipt, with purpose code | Proves realisation; supports GST |
| Realisation tracker | Invoice date, 9-month deadline, payment date, EDPMS status | Prevents overdue entries |
| ₹10 lakh declarations | Copies of periodic declarations given to the bank | Closes smaller EDPMS entries |
| Bank correspondence | Emails on channels, extensions, corrections | Explains decisions later |
Our guide on keeping an EDF register has a template layout. For how long to keep these records, ask your CA; FEMA, GST and income-tax rules each have retention expectations.
GST and income tax for LLPs
An LLP's export of services is zero-rated under Section 16 of the IGST Act if the Section 2(6) conditions are met. Most LLPs export under LUT, filed on Form GST RFD-11, with "Supply meant for export under LUT without payment of IGST" on invoices. The EDF does not change any GST or income-tax obligation. Partners' remuneration and profit share are internal matters with no bearing on the EDF. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does an LLP need to file the EDF?
Yes, an LLP exporting services should assume it is covered. RBI's 7 October 2026 comments concerned individuals, and an LLP is a separate body corporate that contracts in its own name.
Which partner should sign the EDF for an LLP?
A designated partner or other person authorised by the LLP and recognised by the bank as a signatory for the account. Follow the account mandate, and ask your bank whether it needs any additional authorisation document.
Should the LLP's EDF say "I" or "We"?
"We". The declaration is made by the LLP, so strike out "I" in Part 4 and sign with name and designation on behalf of the LLP.
What happens to EDF signing when a designated partner leaves?
Update the LLP's records, inform the bank with a signatory change letter and supporting documents, and make sure only current authorised signatories sign EDFs from the effective date.
Can an LLP file one EDF for several foreign clients?
Yes. One EDF per month can cover service exports to one or more recipients, with each invoice as a row in Part 2B.
Bottom line
For an LLP, the EDF is a monthly declaration made by the firm, signed by an authorised designated partner, and backed by a clean register. Generate your next form with the free EDF form generator.
This guide is general information for Indian businesses, not legal or tax advice. Rules and bank processes change — confirm specifics with your AD bank or chartered accountant.