EDF ka poora naam Export Declaration Form hai, yaani निर्यात घोषणा फॉर्म: a declaration you give your bank telling it which services you exported in a month, to whom, and for how much. From 1 October 2026, service exporters file one EDF per month, within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoices were raised. This guide explains the form in English, with the Hindi word next to each key term so you can discuss it comfortably with your team, accountant or bank staff.
Key takeaways
- EDF (निर्यात घोषणा फॉर्म) is required under RBI's export regulations that came into force on 1 October 2026.
- It goes to your AD bank (अधिकृत डीलर बैंक), usually the bank where foreign money lands.
- One form per month covers all export invoices (बीजक) of that month, one row per invoice.
- Due date: within 30 days from the end of the invoice month. October 2026 invoices → 30 November 2026.
- Payment (प्राप्ति) for services must come within 9 months of the invoice date.
The basic idea in simple words
When you send services abroad and a foreign client pays you, RBI wants each export recorded so it can track whether the money actually came back to India. Pehle software companies filled a form called SOFTEX. Ab SOFTEX khatam ho gaya hai, and everyone, software or other services, uses the same EDF.
Your bank enters the EDF into a system called EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System). When the payment arrives and is matched, the entry is closed. Think of it as a ledger the bank and RBI keep for every export until it is paid.
Key terms: English and Hindi side by side
| English term | Hindi term | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Export Declaration Form (EDF) | निर्यात घोषणा फॉर्म | The monthly form you give your bank |
| Export of services | सेवाओं का निर्यात | Work done for a client outside India |
| Exporter | निर्यातक | Your business, the one filing |
| Authorised Dealer (AD) bank | अधिकृत डीलर बैंक | The bank that receives your EDF |
| AD code | एडी कोड | Code that identifies your bank branch for exports |
| Invoice | बीजक / चालान | Bill raised to the foreign client |
| Realisation | प्राप्ति / वसूली | Receiving the payment in India |
| Service recipient | सेवा प्राप्तकर्ता | Your foreign client |
| Declaration | घोषणा | The signed statement in Part 4 |
| Foreign exchange | विदेशी मुद्रा | Payment in USD, EUR, GBP, etc. |
| Remittance | प्रेषण | Money transfer from abroad |
| Purpose code | उद्देश्य कोड | RBI code describing why money came in |
A small tip: many bank staff use the English words even when speaking Hindi, so knowing both versions helps. Our glossary entry on the AD bank explains the term in more detail.
Who has to file
Companies, LLPs, partnership firms and sole proprietorships that export services should assume the EDF applies to them. Where you file depends on your set-up:
- Business outside an SEZ, non-software services → your AD bank.
- Software exports outside an SEZ → AD bank or STPI.
- Unit inside an SEZ (विशेष आर्थिक क्षेत्र) → the SEZ Development Commissioner.
What about individual freelancers
At RBI's press conference on 7 October 2026, the Governor said individuals providing services abroad, such as tutoring or small software work, are not required to report, and RBI said it would issue FAQs. The text of the regulations has not changed yet. So if you work purely as an individual (व्यक्तिगत रूप से), check with your bank until the FAQs come out. If you have a registered business, assume you are covered.
The form, part by part
The EDF has five parts. A services exporter mainly fills Part 1, Part 2B and Part 4.
Part 1 – General information (सामान्य जानकारी). Fields 1.1 to 1.22. You choose "Services" or "Software" as the type of export, fill your AD code, IEC if you have one, GSTIN, PAN, bank name and address, your own name and address, client details, country of destination, a description of services, and the total value in rupees, in figures and words. Shipping-related fields like port of loading are not applicable for services.
Part 2A – Goods (माल). Leave blank.
Part 2B – Services (सेवाएँ). One row per invoice: client name and address, country, invoice number and date, currency, amount, net realisable value, description, SAC code, contract number and date, remarks.
Part 3 – Post/courier exports. Usually not applicable.
Part 4 – Declaration (घोषणा). You strike out options that do not apply, such as "will be received / has been received", write the date by which full payment will come, then sign.
Part 5 is for the bank.
A worked example
Shree Ganesh Infotech Pvt Ltd in Indore built a website for a client in Canada. In October 2026 it raised two invoices: CAD 3,000 on 8 October and CAD 2,000 on 24 October.
| Step | What Shree Ganesh Infotech does |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lists both invoices as two rows in Part 2B, currency CAD |
| 2 | Converts the total CAD 5,000 to rupees at one consistent rate, say ₹61.50 → ₹3,07,500 |
| 3 | Writes "Rupees Three Lakh Seven Thousand Five Hundred only" in field 1.22 |
| 4 | Selects mode of delivery "Internet" in field 1.4 |
| 5 | Strikes out the wrong options in Part 4 and signs |
| 6 | Submits to its AD bank by 30 November 2026 |
The rupee figure is only an illustration; use the rate method your bank or CA recommends. If you need help writing the amount in words in the Indian system (lakh, crore), our amount in words tool does it instantly.
Dates to remember
The EDF is due within 30 days from the end of the invoice month. For services other than software, you may also submit it on or before the date payment is received. Payment must be realised within 9 months from the invoice date (12 months for rupee invoices). If you invoiced on 8 October 2026, the money should come in by around 8 July 2027.
For the full calendar, see our EDF due date table. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice; for your specific case, speak to your CA or bank.
Frequently asked questions
EDF ka Hindi naam kya hai?
EDF stands for Export Declaration Form, which in Hindi is निर्यात घोषणा फॉर्म. Banks and accountants usually just say "EDF" even in Hindi conversations, so using the short form is perfectly fine.
Is there an official Hindi version of the EDF?
The form is set out in the Annex to RBI's 2026 export regulations. Whether a Hindi version is available for your bank is something to ask your branch. In practice, most banks accept the form in English, and this guide helps you understand each English field.
Who receives the EDF for a service export?
If your business is outside an SEZ, you give the EDF to your AD bank, usually the bank where your foreign payment lands. Software exporters may file with the AD bank or STPI, and SEZ units file with the SEZ Development Commissioner.
What is the last date to file the EDF?
The EDF is due within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoice was raised. For October 2026 invoices, that is 30 November 2026; for November 2026 invoices, it is 30 December 2026.
Do freelancers working alone need to file the EDF?
RBI said on 7 October 2026 that individuals providing services abroad are not required to report, and it plans to issue FAQs. Until those FAQs are published, individual freelancers should confirm with their bank, while proprietorships, firms, LLPs and companies should assume they are covered.
Bottom line
The EDF is a straightforward monthly form once you know what each term means, in English or Hindi. Fill it in a few minutes with our free EDF form generator, check the total and signature, and submit it to your bank on time.
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.