The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a Draft Master Direction for feedback concerning the closure of shipping bills within the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS). Introduced in 2014, EDPMS automates the reconciliation of export funds against shipping bills, with data inflows from Customs Authority (ICEGATE), Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) since 2022, and postal exports from 2025. Recognizing a substantial increase in transactions, the RBI aims to simplify compliance, particularly for small-value exporters. The draft directions propose that Authorized Dealer (AD) banks can reconcile and close shipping bills valued up to INR 10,00,000 based on a quarterly declaration from the exporter, affirming fund realization and accepting declared value reductions. This measure seeks to reduce the compliance burden for small-value export transactions. AD banks are also instructed to review charges for these transactions to ensure they align with the simplified procedure and avoid levying penal charges for delays. Feedback on these draft directions is open until July 31, 2025.
Reserve Bank of India
Directions related to Closure of Shipping Bills in the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) – Draft for Feedback
Reserve Bank of India introduced the EDPMS to monitor the realisation of funds against exports in February, 2014. In due course, the flow of shipping bills from the Customs Authority has been automated through ICEGATE and from January, 2022, data from ECCS (Express Cargo Clearance System) also started flowing into EDPMS. Further, postal exports bill data also started flowing into EDPMS from January, 2025.
2. Over the years, there has been significant increase in the number of export transactions that flow into the EDPMS, wherein each shipping bill is reconciled against payment received. With the objective of easing compliance, especially for exporters of small value goods, it has been decided to simplify the process of reconciliation in EDPMS. Accordingly, draft Directions have been prepared to address the issues related to regulatory compliance involving reconciliation of small-value exports in the EDPMS.
3. Comments/ feedback on the draft Direction smay be submitted through the link under the ‘Connect 2 Regulate’ Section available on the Reserve Bank’s website or may alternatively be forwarded via email by July 31, 2025, with the subject line “Feedback on draft directions on closure of shipping bills in EDPMS”.
(Puneet Pancholy)
Chief General Manager
Press Release: 2025-2026/705
Draft
RBI/2025-26/XX
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. XX
XX XX, 2025
To,
All Authorised Dealer Category-I Banks
Madam / Sir,
Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) – Closure of Shipping Bills – Review of Guidelines
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I banks (AD banks) is invited to instructions related to processing of shipping bills in EDPMS of the Master Direction – Export of Goods & Services.
2. Keeping in view the large number and frequency of small-value exports, and as a measure to reduce compliance burden on the small-value exporters, the following directions are being issued.
3. AD banks may adopt the following procedure while handling shipping bills of value up to INR 10,00,000 or its equivalent, per shipping bill:
a. Such bills may be reconciled and closed in the EDPMS based on a declaration provided by the concerned exporter indicating the details of the shipping bill and that the amount has been realised against the same.
b. Any reduction in declared export value of the bills submitted may also be accepted based on the declaration by the concerned exporter.
c. The declarations referred to in sub-paragraphs a & b above may be obtained from the exporter on a quarterly-basis.
4. AD banks may review the charges levied for handling these small-value export transactions keeping in view the revised procedure/relaxations mentioned above and ensure the same are commensurate with the services rendered. AD banks shall not levy any penal charges (penalty) for delays in adherence to any regulatory prescription.
5. The above instructions shall come into force with immediate effect. AD Category-I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.
6. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
( )
Chief General Manager
