EDF filing
File monthly Export Declaration Forms under the FEMA 2026 regulations
EDF filing
The Export Declaration Form (EDF) is a monthly consolidated declaration that replaces per-invoice SOFTEX filing for service and software exports. It applies to all export invoices dated on or after October 1, 2026, under RBI Notification No. FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB.
How EDF differs from SOFTEX
| SOFTEX (pre-October 2026) | EDF (October 2026 onwards) | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | One form per invoice | One form per month covering all invoices |
| Certifying authority | STPI (mandatory) | AD Bank (default) or STPI (your choice) |
| Deadline | 30 days from invoice date | 30 days from the end of the invoice month |
| Classification | Separate "software export" category | Software treated as "services" |
When to file
You have 30 days from the end of each month to file the EDF for that month's invoices. For example, all January 2027 invoices must be covered by an EDF filed by March 2, 2027.
| Invoice month | EDF deadline |
|---|---|
| October 2026 | November 30, 2026 |
| November 2026 | December 31, 2026 |
| December 2026 | January 30, 2027 |
| January 2027 | March 2, 2027 |
| February 2027 | March 31, 2027 |
| March 2027 | April 30, 2027 |
The app tracks these deadlines automatically and generates alerts 7 days before each one.
Filing an EDF
- Open the export invoice you want to update — go to Invoices, then click the invoice number.
- On the invoice detail page, click EDF Filing in the compliance section.
- The EDF dialog opens, showing a summary of the invoice (client, amount, date, and filing deadline).
EDF dialog fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Month / Year | The calendar month this EDF covers. Auto-filled from the invoice date. |
| EDF status | Select the current status: Pending, Draft, Submitted, Certified, or Rejected. |
| Certifying authority | Choose AD Bank (default under FEMA 2026) or STPI. |
| Submission date | Date the EDF was submitted. Appears when status is Submitted or Certified. |
| Certification date | Date the authority certified the EDF. Appears when status is Certified. |
| Certifier reference | The authority's reference number (e.g. AD/BLR/2026/0001). Appears when status is Certified. |
| Document upload | Upload the EDF form or certificate. Accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files. |
| Notes | Any additional notes for your records. |
- Set the status, fill in the relevant fields, and click Save Changes.
Overdue warnings
If the filing deadline has passed and the EDF status is still Pending or Draft, the dialog shows a red warning with the number of days overdue. The export compliance report also flags these as critical alerts.
Certifying authority
Under FEMA 2026, your Authorized Dealer (AD) bank is the default certifying authority for service and software exports. STPI certification remains available as an alternative but is no longer required.
Choose the authority based on your setup:
- AD Bank — Suitable for most exporters. Your bank certifies the EDF as part of routine EDPMS reporting.
- STPI — Use this if you are an STPI-registered unit and prefer to continue with STPI certification.
Configure your AD Bank details in Settings > Export Compliance so the app can reference them in your EDF filings.
Monthly consolidation
One EDF covers all export invoices raised in a calendar month. You do not need to file a separate form for each invoice. However, in the app, you update EDF status per invoice so the system can track which invoices are included in each month's filing.
The compliance calendar shows the monthly EDF deadlines and lets you see which invoices fall within each month.
Pre-2026 invoices
Invoices created before October 1, 2026 continue to follow the SOFTEX workflow. The app automatically determines the correct regime based on the invoice date — you do not need to configure anything. See SOFTEX tracking for the pre-2026 process.
Penalties for late filing
Late EDF filing is a FEMA contravention. The penalty framework under Section 13 of the FEMA Act applies:
- Continuing contravention — up to Rs. 5,000 per day after the deadline.
- Amount-based penalty — up to 3 times the invoice value for serious violations.
Your AD bank may grant an extension for late filing if you provide valid justification. Contact your bank's trade finance desk if you anticipate missing a deadline.
Related articles
- FEMA overview — Understand the full FEMA 2026 regulatory update
- SOFTEX tracking — Filing process for pre-October 2026 invoices
- Export compliance report — Monitor EDF, e-FIRC, and realization status across all invoices
- Compliance calendar — View monthly EDF deadlines and other compliance dates
- EDPMS monitoring — How EDF entries flow into RBI's export monitoring system
- Export compliance settings — Configure AD Bank details and other export settings