Export of Goods & Services under FEMA

July 16, 2011

Vijay Gupta
AICWA, FCS, FCA Joint Convener, Workhop on FEMA All India Chartered Accountants Society

VKGN & Associates

Chartered Accountants Mobile: 9810083373 E-mail: [email protected]

Presentation covering FEMA Act, Regulations framed there under, Master Circular
Export trade: Regulated by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) EXIM Policy and Procedures are announced by DGFT specifying prohibited commodities, Licence, minimum export/floor price etc. AD bank can conduct export transactions in conformity with Foreign Trade Policy and Rules framed by GoI and Directions issued by RBI.

Index
Export of Goods & Services Basics FEMA Regulations Invoicing in Rupees

Status Holder Exporters Relevant Forms for export Exemption from Declaration Export of goods or services without furnishing declaration Submission of Declaration Submission of export documents Manner of payment of export value of goods Payment for export Period within which export value of goods/software to be realised

Index
Certain Exports requiring prior approval of RBI Advance payment against exports Foreign Currency Account Setting up of Offices Abroad EEFC Account Agency Commission on Exports Trade Fair/Exhibitions abroad -Export of Goods for re-imports Part Drawings /Undrawn Balances Follow-up of Overdue Bills Reduction in Invoice Value on Account of Prepayment of Usance Bills Export Claims Extension of Time Extension of time and Self write-off by the exporters

Export of Goods & Services - Basics

Export includes the taking or sending out of goods by land, sea or air, on consignment or by way of sale, lease, hire-purchase, or under any other arrangement by whatever name called, and in case of software, also includes transmission through any electronic media Service means service of any description which is made available to potential users and includes the provision of facilities in connection with banking, financing, insurance, medical assistance, legal assistance, chit fund, real estate, transport, processing, supply of electrical or other energy, boarding or lodging or both, entertainment, amusement or the purveying of news or other information, but does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal service. Section 7(1)(a) of FEMA Act deals with Export of Goods; and Section 7(3) deals with Export of Services. Export of Goods: Section 7(1)(a) specifies obligations on exporter to file declaration, and other information for purpose of realisation of export proceeds Export of Services: Section 7(3) specifies obligations on exporter to file declaration, and no provision for purpose of realisation of export proceeds

FEMA Regulations
RBI notified FEMA 23 (Export of Goods and Services) Regulations relating to export of goods and services; and FEMA (Current Account Transactions) Rules for Current Account Transactions
Consolidated instructions are contained in RBI Master Circular dated 1-7-2011 Regulation 4 of FEMA 8 (Guarantees) Regulations permits AD bank to issue guarantees on behalf of exporter clients on account of exports out of India: Any debt, obligation or other liability Give guarantee or standby Letter of Credit in respect of approved commodity hedging transaction etc. Manner of payment of export value of goods: FEMA 14 (Manner and Receipt and Payment) Regulations Foreign Currency Account: FEMA 10 (Foreign Currency Account by a Person Resident in India) Regulations

Invoicing in Rupees
No restriction on invoicing of export contracts in Indian Rupees
In terms of Para 2.40 of Foreign Trade Policy All export contracts and invoices shall be denominated either in freely convertible currency or in Indian Rupees but export proceeds shall be realised in freely convertible currency.

However, export proceeds against specific exports may also be realised in rupees provided it is through a freely convertible Vostro account of a nonresident bank situated in any country, other than a member country of the ACU (Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) or Nepal or Bhutan. Indian Rupee is not a freely convertible currency, as yet.
All references/dealing with Regional Office of Foreign Exchange Department of RBI situated in the jurisdiction where the applicant person resides, or the firm / company functions Financial Year means April to March

Status Holder Exporters

Status Category Export Performance FOB / FOR (deemed exports) Value (Rupees in Crores) during current plus previous three years (taken together)* 20 (Export performance necessary for at least 2 out of 4 years) 100 500 2500 7500

Export House (EH)

Star Export House (SEH)

Trading House (TH) Star Trading House (STH) Premier Trading House (PTH)

* Double weightage, and privileges are given in Foreign Trade Policy

Relevant Forms for export

Every exporter of goods or software in physical form or through any other form Form GR (in duplicate): For export otherwise than by Post including export of software in physical form i.e., magnetic tapes/discs and paper media

Form SDF (in duplicate): For exports declared to Customs Offices under Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) system for processing shipping bills notified by Central Government
Form PP (in duplicate): For export by Post

Form SOFTEX (in triplicate): Declaration of export of software otherwise than in physical form, i.e., magnetic tapes/discs, and paper media.
Software means any computer programme, database, drawing, design, audio/video signals, any information by whatever name called in or on any medium other than in or on any physical medium.

Exemption from Declaration

Export of services to which none of Forms apply Exemption from Declaration
Export such declaration services without furnishing any

But liable to realise foreign exchange which becomes due or accrues, and to repatriate to India in accordance with Act/Regulation. IEC Code allotted by DGFT indicated on all copies of declaration forms.

Export of goods or services without furnishing declaration

Trade samples of goods and publicity material supplied free of payment Personal effects of travellers Ships stores, trans-shipment cargo and goods supplied under the orders of Central Government or of the military, naval or air force authorities in India for military, naval or air force requirements Goods or software not more than 25,000 US$ in value Gift of goods not more than 5 lakh rupees in value Aircrafts or aircraft engines and spare parts for overhauling and/or repairs abroad subject to their re-import into India after overhauling/ repairs, within a period of six months from the date of their export Goods imported free of cost on re-export basis Goods not exceeding US$ 1000 per transaction exported to Myanmar under Barter Trade Agreement Replacement goods exported free of charge as per Exim Policy

Export of goods or services without furnishing declaration

Goods sent outside India for testing subject to re-import defective goods sent outside India for repair and re-import and that the export does not involve any transaction in foreign exchange Imported goods found defective; goods imported from foreign suppliers/collaborators on loan basis; or goods imported from foreign suppliers/collaborators free of cost, found surplus after production operations as may be permitted by Development Commissioner of the Export Processing Zones, Electronic Hardware Technology Parks, Electronic Software Technology Parks or Free Trade Zones, to be re-exported

AD Bank may consider requests for grant of GR waiver for export of goods free of cost, for export promotion up to 2 per cent of the average annual exports of the applicant during the preceding three financial years subject to a ceiling of Rs. 5 lakhs. For status holder exporters, the limit as per the present Foreign Trade Policy is Rs.10 lakhs or 2 per cent of the average annual export realization during the preceding three licensing years (April-March), whichever is higher. Export of goods not involving any foreign exchange transaction directly or indirectly requires the waiver of GR/PP procedure from RBI

Submission of Declaration
Form GR/SDF: To Commissioner of Customs: After duly verifying and authenticating Original declaration to Reserve Bank; and Duplicate Form to Exporter for being submitted to AD Bank Form PP: To AD Bank: After countersigning Original Form to Exporter for submission to Postal Authorities. Postal authorities after despatch forward to Reserve Bank. Form SOFTEX: To Designated Official of Ministry of Information Technology, at the Software Technology Parks of India (STPIs) or at the Free Trade Zones (FTZs) or Export Processing Zones (EPZs) or Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India: After certifying to forward Original to Reserve Bank and Duplicate to the Exporter. Duplicate Declaration Forms retained with AD Bank. On realisation of export proceeds, the duplicate copies of export declaration forms viz., GR, PP and SOFTEX and Exchange Control copies of shipping bills together with related Statutory Declaration Forms shall be retained by AD Bank The Designated Authority to satisfy that: a) The exporter is a person resident in India and has a place of business in India; b) The destination stated on the declaration is final place of the destination goods (ultimately imported and cleared through Customs of that country); c) The value stated in the declaration represents full export value of the goods or software

Submission of export documents

Within 21 days from the date of export be submitted to AD Bank. Date of export for export of software in other than physical form, shall be date of invoice/date of certification of SOFTEX Form Any delay, AD Bank to handle them without prior approval of the Reserve Bank, provided they are satisfied with the reasons for the delay. Invoicing of Software Exports

For long duration contracts involving series of transmissions, the exporters should bill their overseas clients periodically, i.e., at least once a month or on reaching the milestone as provided in the contract entered into with the overseas client and the last invoice / bill should be raised not later than 15 days from the date of completion of the contract. It would be in order for the exporters to submit a combined SOFTEX form for all the invoices raised on a particular overseas client, including advance remittances received in a month. Contracts involving only one-shot operation, the invoice/bill should be raised within 15 days from the date of transmission.

Manner of payment of export value of goods

FEMA 14 (Manner and Receipt and Payment) Regulations
Asian Clearing Union (except Nepal) viz. Bangladesh, Iran, Myanmar and Sri Lanka: Through Asian Clearing Union Dollar/Euro account; or freely convertible currency.

With effect from December 27, 2010, all eligible current account transactions including trade transactions with Iran should be settled in any permitted currency outside the ACU mechanism, until further notice.
All other countries: Payment in rupees from the account of a bank situated in any country other than a member country of Asian Clearing Union or Nepal or Bhutan; or payment in any permitted currency Exports to Myanmar: Payment may be received in any freely convertible currency or through specific ACU mechanism from Myanmar

Manner of payment of export value of goods

In a currency appropriate to place of final destination as mentioned in declaration Form irrespective of the country of residence of the buyer Export transactions Nepal or Bhutan are settled in Indian Rupees. Export of goods to Nepal, where the importer has been permitted by the Nepal Rashtra Bank to make payment in free foreign exchange, such payments shall be routed through ACU mechanism. Receipts through Online Payment Gateway Service Providers (OPGSPs) available for export of goods and services of for value not exceeding US$ 500; as per specified procedure Re-import into India within period specified for realisation of export shall be deemed to be realisation of full export value of such goods

Payment for export

Bank draft, cheque, pay order Foreign currency notes/travellers cheque from a buyer during his visit to India, provided the foreign currency so received is surrendered within the specified period to AD Bank By debit to FCNR/NRE account maintained by buyer with AD Bank; In rupees from International Credit Cards AD Bank may receive payment by debit to the credit card of an importer where the reimbursement from the card issuing bank/ organisation will be received in foreign exchange From a rupee account held in the name of an Exchange House with an authorised dealer if the amount does not exceed two lakh rupees per export transaction; Where the export is covered by the arrangement between the Central Government and the Government of a foreign country or by the credit arrangement entered into by Exim Bank with a financial institution in a foreign State; In the form of precious metals, i.e., gold/silver/platinum equivalent to value of jewellery exported by Gem & Jewellery units in Special Economic Zones and Export Oriented Units on the condition that the sale contract provides for the same and the value is declared in

the relevant GR/SDF/PP forms

Period within which export value of goods/software to be realised

Goods or software realised and repatriated to India within twelve months from date of export (till September 30, 2011). By Status Holder Exporter as per EXIM Policy: Twelve months from the date of export

Exported by units in Special Economic Zones: No specific time period stipulated

100 % Export Oriented Units (EOUs) and units set up under Electronic Hardware Technology Parks (EHTPs), Software Technology Parks (STPs) and Biotechnology Parks (BTPs) schemes: Twelve months from the date of export Exported to a warehouse established outside India: As soon as it is realised and within fifteen months from the date of shipment of goods Reserve Bank: Can extend such period @

Certain Exports requiring prior approval of RBI

Certain Exports requiring prior approval of RBI
Export of goods on lease, hire, etc.: Other than sale or disposal of such goods. Exports under trade agreement/rupee credit etc.: Between the Central Government and Government of a foreign state or under rupee credits extended Counter Trade: Arrangement involving adjustment of value of goods imported into India against value of goods exported from India

An export under the line of credit extended to a bank or a financial institution operating in a foreign state by the Exim Bank for financing exports from India, shall be governed by the terms and conditions advised by the Reserve Bank to the authorised dealers from time to time

Advance payment against exports

Exporter receives advance payment (with or without interest):
i. ii. iii.

Shipment of goods is made within one year from date of receipt of advance payment Rate of interest payable on advance payment does not exceed LIBOR + 100 basis points Documents covering the shipment are routed through AD Bank through whom the advance payment is received

Export agreement for shipment of goods beyond one year require the prior approval of RBI Exporters inability to make the shipment, partly or fully, within one year: No refund of unutilised portion of advance payment or towards payment of interest shall be made after the expiry of one year, without the prior approval of RBI Purchase of foreign exchange from the market for refunding advance payment credited to EEFC account allowed only after utilizing the entire balances held in EEFC accounts maintained at different branches/banks.

Foreign Currency Account

Participants in international exhibition/trade fair:

Granted general permission for opening a temporary foreign currency account abroad. Deposit the foreign exchange obtained by sale of goods and operate the account during their stay outside India. Repatriate to India within a period of one month from the date of closure of the exhibition/trade fair.

RBI may consider applications in Form EFC from Exporters having good track record for opening a foreign currency account with banks in India and outside India subject to certain terms and conditions. Applications through AD Bank where account to be maintained. If to be maintained abroad give details of the bank with which the account will be maintained.
An Indian entity can also open, hold and maintain a foreign currency account with a bank outside India, in the name of its overseas office/branch, by making remittance for the purpose of normal business operations of the said office/branch or representative subject to conditions stipulated in Regulation 7 of FEMA 10 conditions as to met initial expenses; recurring

expenses; closure etc.

Foreign Currency Account

A unit located in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) may open, hold and maintain a Foreign Currency Account with AD Bank subject to conditions stipulated in Regulation 6 (A) of FEMA 10.
A project / service exporter may open, hold and maintain foreign currency account with a bank outside or in India, subject to the

standard terms and conditions in the PEM - Memorandum of Instructions on Project Exports and Service Exports issued by RBI
Export of goods or services on deferred payment terms or in execution of a turnkey project or a civil construction contract, the exporter shall, before entering into any such export arrangement, submit the proposal for prior approval of Working Group constituted by RBI or Exim Bank or AD Bank, which shall consider the proposal in accordance with the guidelines issued by RBI under PEM Memorandum of Instructions on Project Exports and Service Exports.

Setting up of Offices Abroad

Setting up of Offices Abroad and Acquisition of Immovable Property for Overseas Offices
AD Bank may allow remittances towards initial expenses up to 15% of the average annual sales/income or turnover during the last two financial years or up to 25% of the net worth, whichever is

higher

For recurring expenses, remittances up to 10% of the average annual sales/income or turnover during the last two financial years for normal business operations of the office (trading /nontrading) / branch or representative office outside India - for conducting normal business activities of the Indian entity; not enter into any contract or agreement in contravention; not create any financial liabilities, contingent or otherwise, and also not invest surplus funds abroad without prior approval of the Reserve Bank

Setting up of Offices Abroad

Funds rendered surplus should be repatriated to India. Details of bank accounts opened should be promptly

reported to AD Bank Within the above limits for initial and recurring expenses, to acquire immovable property outside India for its business and for residential purpose of its staff The overseas office / branch of software exporter company/firm may repatriate to India 100 per cent of the contract value of each off-site contract. In case of companies taking up on site contracts, they should repatriate profits of such on site contracts after the completion of the said contracts. An audited yearly statement showing receipts under offsite and on-site contracts undertaken by the overseas office, expenses and repatriation thereon may be sent to AD Bank

EEFC Account
Exchange Earners Foreign Currency (EEFC) Account
A person resident in India may open EEFC Account in terms of Regulation 4 of the FEMA 10
All categories of foreign exchange earners are allowed to credit up to 100 per cent of their foreign exchange earnings. Non-interest bearing current account. No credit facilities, either fund-based or non-fund based against security of balances held in EEFC account.

Eligible credits:

Inward remittance (other than foreign currency loan raised or investment received from outside India or those received for meeting specific obligations by the account holder).
Payments received in foreign exchange by unit in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) for supplying goods to unit in Special Economic Zone out of its foreign currency account.

EEFC Account
Counter trade Advance remittance Out of funds representing repayment of State Credit in U.S. dollar held in the account of Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs, Moscow Recredit of unutilised foreign currency earlier withdrawn from the account

Professional earnings including directors fees, consultancy fees, lecture fees, honorarium and similar other earnings received by a professional by rendering services in his individual capacity
Payment received through an international credit card for which reimbursement will be provided in foreign exchange may be regarded as a remittance through normal banking channels. AD Bank to permit to extend trade related loans / advances to overseas importers out of their EEFC balances without any ceiling subject to compliance of provisions of FEMA 3 AD Bank to permit exporters to repay packing credit advances whether availed in Rupee or in foreign currency from balances in their EEFC account and / or Rupee resources to the extent exports have actually taken place.

EEFC Account
Permissible debits Payment towards current account transaction Current Account Transactions Rules. Restrictions under Schedule II other than items 10 and 11 (prior approval of Central Government) and Schedule III other than 3, 4, 11, 16 & 17 (prior approval of RBI) of Current Account Transactions Rules do not apply Towards a capital account transaction permissible under Permissible Capital Account Transactions Regulations. Ceiling of 400 per cent of net worth under ODI Regulations do not apply to remittances from EEFC account. Payment in foreign exchange towards cost of goods purchased from a 100 per cent Export Oriented Unit or a Unit in (a) Export Processing Zone or (b) Software Technology Park or (c) Electronic Hardware Technology Park. Payment of customs duty Trade related loans/advances by an exporter holding such account Payment in foreign exchange to a person resident in India for supply of goods/services including payments for air fare and hotel expenditure. There is no restriction on withdrawal in rupees. However, the amount withdrawn in rupees shall not be eligible for conversion into foreign currency and for recredit to the account.

Agency Commission on Exports

AD Bank may allow payment of commission, either by remittance or by deduction from invoice value. The remittance on agency commission may be allowed subject to the following conditions: a) Amount of commission has been declared on GR/SDF/PP/SOFTEX form and accepted by the Customs authorities or Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India / EPZ authorities as the case may be. b) In cases where the commission has not been declared on GR/SDF/PP/SOFTEX form, remittance may be allowed after satisfying the reasons adduced by the exporter for not declaring commission on Export Declaration Form, provided a valid agreement/written understanding between the exporters and/or beneficiary for payment of commission exists.

The relative shipment has already been made. Payment of commission is prohibited on exports made by Indian Partners towards equity participation in an overseas joint venture / wholly owned subsidiary as also exports under Rupee Credit Route except commission up to 10 per cent of invoice value of exports of tea & tobacco. There is no restriction on %. However, for export benefits like Duty Drawback, DEPB, etc., agency commission is permissible up to 12.50%.

Trade Fair/Exhibitions abroad Export of Goods for re-imports

Trade Fair/Exhibitions abroad
Can take/export goods for exhibition and sale outside India without prior approval of RBI Unsold exhibit items sold outside exhibition/trade fair in same country or in a third country. Such sales at discounted value are also permissible. It would also be permissible to `gift unsold goods up to the value of USD 5000 per exporter, per exhibition/trade fair.

Export of Goods for re-imports

AD Bank may consider request for granting GR approval in cases where goods are being exported for re-import after repairs / maintenance / testing / calibration, etc., subject to the condition that the exporter shall produce relative Bill of Entry within one month of re-import of the exported item from India. Where the goods being exported for testing are destroyed during testing, AD Bank may obtain a certificate issued by the testing agency that the goods have been destroyed during testing, in lieu of Bill of Entry for import.

Part Drawings /Undrawn Balances

It is practice to leave a small part of invoice value undrawn for payment after adjustment due to differences in weight, quality, etc., to be ascertained after arrival and inspection, weighment or analysis of the goods. AD Bank may negotiate the bills, provided: Amount of undrawn balance is considered normal in the particular line of export trade, subject to a maximum of 10 per cent of the full export value.

An undertaking is obtained from the exporter on the duplicate of GR/SDF/PP forms that he will surrender/account for the balance proceeds of the shipment within the period prescribed for realization. In cases where the exporter has not been able to arrange for repatriation of the undrawn balance in spite of best efforts, AD Bank Category I banks, on being satisfied with the bona fides of the case, should ensure that the exporter has realised at least the value for which the bill was initially drawn (excluding undrawn balances) or 90 per cent of the value declared on GR/PP/SDF form, whichever is more and a period of one year has elapsed from the date of shipment.

Follow-up of Overdue Bills

AD Bank to closely watch realization of bills where

bills remain outstanding, beyond the due date for payment or 12 months from the date of export. If the exporter fails to arrange for delivery of proceeds within 12 months or seek extension of time beyond 12 months, the matter should be reported to the Regional Office of RBI. AD Bank to furnish to the Regional Office of RBI on a half-yearly basis, a consolidated statement giving details of all export bills outstanding beyond six months from the date of export as at the end of June and December every year.

Reduction in Invoice Value on Account of Prepayment of Usance Bills

On account of cash discount to the extent of amount of proportionate interest on the unexpired period of usance, calculated at the rate of interest stipulated in the export contract or at the prime rate/LIBOR of the currency of invoice where rate of interest is not stipulated in the contract. Reduction in Invoice Value in other cases
a) b) c) d)

After bill has been negotiated or sent for collection, AD Bank may approve such reduction, provided: The reduction does not exceed 25 per cent of invoice value: It does not relate to export of commodities subject to floor price stipulations The exporter is not on the exporters caution list of the Reserve Bank, and The exporter is advised to surrender proportionate export incentives availed of, if any. In the case of exporters who have been in the export business for more than three years, reduction in invoice value may be allowed, without any percentage ceiling, subject to the above conditions as also subject to their track record being satisfactory, i.e., the export outstandings do not exceed 5 per cent of the average annual export realization during the preceding three financial years. Outstanding of exports made to countries facing externalization problems may be ignored provided the payments have been made by the buyers in the local currency.

Export Claims
AD Bank may remit export claims, provided

the relative export proceeds have already been realised and repatriated to India and the exporter is not on the caution list (ii) exporter to surrender proportionate export incentives, if any, received by him.

Extension of Time
RBI has permitted AD Bank to extend the period of realization of export proceeds beyond 12 months from the date of export, up to a period of six months, at a time, irrespective of the invoice value of the export subject to the following conditions:
a) b) c) d)

The export transactions covered by the invoices are not under investigation by Directorate of Enforcement / Central Bureau of Investigation or other investigating agencies, The AD Bank is satisfied that the exporter has not been able to realise export proceeds for reasons beyond his control, The exporter submits a declaration that the export proceeds will be realised during the extended period, While considering extension beyond one year from the date of export, the total outstanding of the exporter does not exceed USD one million or 10 per cent of the average export realizations during the preceding three financial years, whichever is higher.

Extension of Time
In cases where the exporter has filed suits abroad against the buyer, extension may be granted irrespective of the amount involved / outstanding. In cases where an exporter has not been able to realise proceeds

of a shipment made within the extended period for reasons beyond his control, but expects to be able to realise proceeds if further extension of the period is allowed to him, necessary application (in duplicate) should be made to the Regional Office concerned of the Reserve Bank in form ETX through his AD Bank with appropriate documentary evidence.

Cases which are not covered by the above instructions will require prior approval from the Regional Office concerned of the Reserve Bank.

Extension of time and Self write-off by the exporters

a)

The aggregate value of such export bills written-off (including reduction in invoice value) and bills extended for realization does not exceed 10 per cent of the export proceeds due during the financial year; and

b)

Such export bills are not a subject to investigation by Directorate of Enforcement / Central Bureau of Investigation or any other Investigating Agencies. extent of (i) 5% of average annual realization during preceding three financial years or (ii) 10% of export proceeds during the financial year, whichever is higher RBI circular No. 33 dated 28-2-2007.

The status holder exporters can write off export dues to the

Extension of time and Self write-off by the exporters

The write off is permitted if * overseas buyer has been

declared insolvent * overseas buyer is untraceable for long period * Goods have been auctioned or destroyed by port or customs authorities abroad * matter has been settled through intervention of foreign chamber of commerce or Indian Embassy etc. * Less than 25% of the invoice value is remaining outstanding despite all efforts for recovery by the exporter * cost of legal action would be very high compared to the amount of export bill or where even if the exporter wins the case, chances of obtaining money are less * differential bills were drawn for difference in actual freight and freight charged in the Invoice of exporter and foreign buyer not paying the amount. In all such cases, documentary evidence has to be produced by exporter to the authorised dealer.