Exporters, FEMA and DGFT: CA certificates
EPCG, Advance Authorisation, status holder, APR, ODI, ECB and UFCE certificates.
Certificates in this group
- EPCG application certificate
- EPCG export obligation discharge certificate
- Advance Authorisation export obligation and consumption certificate
- Status holder certificate
- EOU, SEZ or STPI annual performance report certificate
- eBRC reconciliation certificate
- ODI annual performance report certificate
- ECB end use certificate
- Export write-off, set-off or delayed realisation certificate
- Unhedged foreign currency exposure (UFCE) certificate
EPCG application certificate
The CA certificate filed with an EPCG authorisation application.
- Who asks
- DGFT
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- Foreign Trade Policy, Appendix 5B
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- IEC
- Details of the capital goods and their cost
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
EPCG export obligation discharge certificate
Certifies exports made against an EPCG authorisation, for the export obligation discharge certificate (EODC).
- Who asks
- DGFT
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- Foreign Trade Policy, ANF 5B
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- EPCG authorisation
- Shipping bills and bank realisation records
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Status holder certificate
Certifies export performance for recognition as a status holder.
- Who asks
- DGFT
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- Foreign Trade Policy, ANF 3A
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- IEC
- Export performance records for the years claimed
- Bank realisation records
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
EOU, SEZ or STPI annual performance report certificate
Certifies the annual performance report of an EOU, SEZ or STPI unit, including SOFTEX figures.
- Who asks
- STPI, SEZ development commissioners and EOU authorities
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Unit approval letter
- SOFTEX or export records for the year
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
eBRC reconciliation certificate
Reconciles export invoices with bank realisation certificates.
- Who asks
- DGFT and the AD bank
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (3)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Export invoices and shipping bills
- eBRCs for the period
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
ODI annual performance report certificate
Certifies the annual performance report for an overseas direct investment.
- Who asks
- The AD bank, for the RBI
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- Overseas Investment Rules 2022 (FEMA)
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Certification under Exchange Control legislation
Documents to keep ready (3)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Audited financial statements of the overseas entity
- Investment and remittance records
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
ECB end use certificate
Certifies that an external commercial borrowing was used for permitted purposes.
- Who asks
- The AD bank
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- FEMA (ECB framework)
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Certificates for Funds/ Grants utilisation under FERA/FEMA/Other Laws
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- ECB agreement and loan registration number
- Bank statements for the period asked for
- Invoices for the spend
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Export write-off, set-off or delayed realisation certificate
Certifies the facts behind a write-off, set-off or late realisation of export proceeds.
- Who asks
- The AD bank
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- Basis
- FEMA
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Certification under Exchange Control legislation
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Shipping bills and export invoices
- Correspondence with the buyer
- Bank realisation records
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Unhedged foreign currency exposure (UFCE) certificate
Certifies a borrower's foreign currency exposure that is not hedged.
- Who asks
- Banks lending to businesses with foreign currency exposure
- Typical turnaround
- 3–10 working days after complete documents
- UDIN category
- Certificates: Others
Documents to keep ready (4)
- PAN and registration or incorporation documents of the entity
- Foreign currency receivables and payables
- Hedging contracts
- Audited financial statements for the years covered
The CA confirms the final list when you start. No certificate is issued on provisional figures.
Common questions
Which certificates are in the exporters, fema and dgft group?
EPCG application certificate; EPCG export obligation discharge certificate; Advance Authorisation export obligation and consumption certificate; Status holder certificate; EOU, SEZ or STPI annual performance report certificate; eBRC reconciliation certificate; ODI annual performance report certificate; ECB end use certificate; Export write-off, set-off or delayed realisation certificate; Unhedged foreign currency exposure (UFCE) certificate.
How long do these certificates take?
Typical turnaround after complete documents: 3–10 working days for dgft, rera and valuation certificates. These are typical ranges, not statutory periods.
Who signs the certificate and how is it verified?
The Chartered Accountant signs with a Class-3 DSC and generates a UDIN on the ICAI UDIN portal. The bank or authority can verify the UDIN at udin.icai.org.