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EDF vs SOFTEX vs FIRA vs eBRC
Last updated: 8 October 2026
Short answer: the EDF declares an export to your bank; EDPMS is RBI's system where the bank records it; FIRA/FIRC proves the payment arrived; eBRC is DGFT's certificate of realisation; SOFTEX was the old software form, replaced by the EDF from 1 Oct 2026.
| Term | What it is | Who makes it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDF (Export Declaration Form) | Your declaration of the services exported and their value | You (exporter) | Within 30 days after the invoice month |
| EDPMS | RBI's Export Data Processing and Monitoring System | Your bank enters your EDF | Within 5 working days of receiving it |
| IRM | Inward Remittance Message: the bank's record of a payment received | Bank | When money arrives |
| FIRA / FIRC | Advice or certificate that foreign money came in | Bank or payment app | After each payment |
| eBRC | Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate | You, on the DGFT portal | After realisation |
| SOFTEX | Old form for software exports, certified by STPI | - | Exports up to 30 Sep 2026 only |
Questions
Is SOFTEX still needed?
Not for software exports made on or after 1 October 2026. They use the same EDF as other services. Exports up to 30 September 2026 stay on SOFTEX.
Is FIRA the same as EDF?
No. FIRA (or FIRC) is the payment advice proving money came in. The EDF declares the export. The bank matches the two to close the entry.
Do I still need eBRC?
eBRC is generated on the DGFT portal from bank payment data and is used for incentives and GST refunds. It is separate from the EDF.