EDF for Partnership Firms

A partnership firm that exports services files the EDF in the firm's own name, with the firm's PAN, signed by a partner the bank recognises as authorised to act for the firm. In the Part 4 declaration, a partnership firm uses "We", not "I", and strikes out the alternatives that do not apply. Most mistakes partnership firms make on the EDF come down to mixing up the firm with one of its partners.

Key takeaways

• The exporter is the firm. Use the firm's name, address, PAN and GSTIN, not a partner's.
• A partner authorised under the partnership deed and recorded with the bank as a signatory should sign.
• Use "We" in Part 4 and strike out "I".
• One EDF per month covers all of the firm's export invoices; October 2026 invoices are due by 30 November 2026.
• When partners join, retire or change signing powers, update the bank first, then sign EDFs accordingly.

The firm, not the partners, is the exporter

A partnership firm is a business carried on by its partners together. For banking and tax, it normally has its own PAN, its own current account and, where registered, its own GSTIN. The export invoices are raised in the firm's name, and the foreign payments land in the firm's account.

So on the EDF, every exporter field refers to the firm:

If the firm has no IE code, leave the field as your bank advises. The IEC is issued by DGFT and many service exporters hold one, but the requirement depends on what benefits you claim; see our explainer on IEC for service exporters.

Who can sign the EDF

The right signatory is a partner who is authorised to sign for the firm on banking and export matters. In practice that means two things line up:

1. The partnership deed (or a separate authority letter signed by all partners) gives that partner authority to sign such documents.
2. The bank's records show that partner as an authorised signatory on the firm's current account.

If both are true, the bank can rely on the signature. If the signing partner is not on the bank's signatory list, expect the EDF to be questioned. Where the deed requires two partners to sign jointly for banking matters, check with your bank whether that applies to the EDF too.

Sign as: "For [Firm name], [Partner's name], Partner". Our article on signing the EDF covers scans, seals and digital signatures.

"I" or "We": the Part 4 declaration

Part 4 of the EDF contains alternatives you strike out to make the declaration accurate. The first is "I/We". A partnership firm declares as a group of persons carrying on business together, so it uses "We" and strikes out "I".

The other alternatives follow the facts:

• buyer / third party: usually the buyer (your client) pays; strike out "third party" unless someone else pays on the client's behalf.
• will be received / has been received: if payment is still due, keep "will be received".
• foreign exchange / Indian Rupees: keep the one matching your invoice currency.
• goods / services: keep "services".
• Enter the date by which full value will be received, within 9 months of the invoice date for foreign-currency invoices.

For a deeper walkthrough, see EDF Part 4 and "strike out whichever is not applicable".

A worked example

Raman & Joseph Associates is a registered partnership of three chartered engineers in Coimbatore. It prepares structural drawings for builders in the UK and the Gulf. The deed authorises any two partners to operate the bank account jointly, and the bank's mandate says the same.

October 2026 invoices:

• RJA/26/081, 8 October: GBP 5,400 to a Birmingham developer
• RJA/26/082, 21 October: USD 7,750 to a Dubai contractor

The firm's accountant prepared one EDF in the firm's name, with the firm's PAN, GSTIN and AD code. Part 2B had two rows. In Part 4 she struck out "I", "third party", "has been received", "Indian Rupees" and "goods". Because the bank mandate requires two signatures, two partners signed, each as "Partner, for Raman & Joseph Associates". The firm submitted on 17 November 2026.

When partners change

Partnerships evolve. A partner retires, a new one joins, signing powers change. Each change affects who can sign the EDF.

1. Update the deed or execute a supplementary deed recording the change.
2. Tell the bank with a signatory change request and the supporting documents. Our signatory change letter is ready to adapt.
3. Update KYC for the firm and any new partners if the bank asks.
4. Only then have the new partner sign EDFs.

If a retiring partner signed an EDF that is still open in EDPMS, that does not invalidate it. The firm remains the exporter, and the continuing partners handle matching and closure.

Also keep in mind that if the firm converts to an LLP or company, the new entity is a different exporter with its own PAN and possibly a new account. Invoices raised before and after the conversion belong to different entities and different EDFs. Plan the switch with your CA and bank.

Other points for partnership firms

• Individual partners' own freelance work: if a partner also works independently in their own name, that income is theirs, not the firm's, and does not go on the firm's EDF. RBI said on 7 October 2026 that individuals providing services abroad are not required to report, pending FAQs.
• Realisation: each firm invoice must be realised within 9 months of its date. For invoices up to ₹10 lakh, the bank may close entries on a periodic declaration signed by an authorised partner.
• GST: the firm's exports are zero-rated when the Section 2(6) conditions are met; the firm files its own LUT. The EDF does not change GST or income tax.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Frequently asked questions

Whose PAN goes on the EDF for a partnership firm?

The firm's PAN. The firm is the exporter, so its PAN, GSTIN, name and address are used throughout. Partners' personal PANs do not belong on the form.

Should a partnership firm write "I" or "We" in the EDF declaration?

"We". Strike out "I" in Part 4, and strike out the other alternatives that do not apply, such as "goods" for a services exporter.

Can any partner sign the EDF?

A partner who is authorised under the partnership deed and recorded with the bank as a signatory should sign. If the bank mandate needs joint signatures, check whether your bank expects the same for the EDF.

What happens to open EDFs when a partner retires?

The firm remains the exporter, so existing EDFs stay valid. The continuing authorised partners handle realisation, matching and closure. Update the bank's signatory records promptly.

Bottom line

For a partnership firm, the EDF is the firm's declaration: firm name, firm PAN, "We" in Part 4 and a partner the bank recognises signing it. Keep the deed and bank mandate in step whenever partners change. Fill your firm's form quickly with our free EDF form generator.