What is FIRC?
FIRC stands for Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate. It is a certificate from your bank stating that a specific amount of foreign currency was received from abroad and credited to your account in India. A FIRC usually carries the remitter's name and country, the foreign amount and currency, the rupee equivalent, the date of credit and the purpose of the remittance. Some banks issue it on request, some issue it automatically, and many now issue a FIRA (advice) by default instead.
Why it matters for exporters
A FIRC is one of the accepted forms of payment evidence when your bank closes an export entry in EDPMS. For invoices above ₹10 lakh, the 2026 regulations expect the invoice, payment evidence (FIRA, FIRC or bank advice) and matching instructions. Below ₹10 lakh, the bank may close the entry on your periodic declaration instead, but keeping FIRCs on file is still wise for audits and GST refund claims.
Foreign clients, auditors and government departments sometimes ask specifically for a FIRC. If your bank has only given you an advice, write to the branch and ask. Our FIRC request letter lists the details banks usually need, such as remittance date, amount and reference number.
Example
Lumen Content Co receives GBP 3,200 from a London publisher on 12 November 2026, credited as ₹3,52,000. Its CA needs a certificate for the GST refund file. Lumen writes to the branch quoting the date, amount and the SWIFT reference from the credit advice, and receives a FIRC for that remittance.
Common confusion
People often treat FIRC and FIRA as identical. Both prove that money came in, and for most practical purposes either will do, but the name and format depend on your bank. Neither one proves that a particular export was paid for; that link is made in EDPMS and reflected in the eBRC.