RBI's EDF: do I need to file?

From 1 October 2026, exporters of services have to declare their foreign invoices to the bank on an Export Declaration Form (EDF). On 7 October, RBI said individual freelancers aren't covered. Check which side you're on.

Status, 10 Oct 2026: the rule is in RBI's FEMA regulations (Notification FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB). The freelancer relief comes from remarks by RBI's Governor and Deputy Governor at the 7 Oct press conference, reported by Business Today, ET and others. RBI's FAQs are still awaited, and the regulation text hasn't been amended. This checker isn't legal advice.

Verdict

Answer the questions

FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB · RBI remarks of 7 Oct 2026 · not legal advice

02 Related resources

Filing help and official sources

EDFfiling.in has a free invoice-by-invoice EDF checker, a step-by-step filing guide and a free EDF generator in RBI's layout.
RBI regulation: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026
Watch for the EDF FAQs on RBI's notifications page.

Read our explainer: RBI's EDF rule: freelancers are out, agencies are in. Do you need to file?.