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Glossary of Indian export and GST terms

The abbreviations you meet when you export services from India, with their full forms and what they mean for a freelancer.

Last updated 09 Oct 2026 · Not legal or tax advice

AD code : Authorised Dealer code
The Authorised Dealer code your bank gives you for export reporting. Sources differ on whether it identifies only the branch or also your account (often described as 14 digits), so ask your branch for the AD code for your account and copy it exactly. It isn't the IFSC.
AATO : Annual Aggregate Turnover
Your total turnover for GST in the previous financial year; decides, for example, whether you can file quarterly (QRMP).
ARN : Application Reference Number
The number the GST portal gives you when you file something, such as your LUT. Showing the LUT's ARN on export invoices is good practice, not a legal requirement.
CA : Chartered Accountant
A qualified accountant and tax professional in India (member of ICAI). Learn more ↗
DGFT : Directorate General of Foreign Trade
The Government of India body that issues the IEC and runs the e-BRC system. Learn more ↗
e-BRC : Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate
A certificate on the DGFT portal that an export payment was received. Banks upload the payment record (IRM) to DGFT; the exporter then generates and self-certifies the e-BRC there, which needs an IEC.
EDF : Export Declaration Form
The form exporters of services file with their bank each month from 1 October 2026, declaring the month's export invoices, within 30 days after the month ends. RBI said on 7 October 2026 that individuals may not need to file it; its FAQ is awaited.
EDPMS : Export Data Processing and Monitoring System
RBI's system where banks record your EDFs and mark them off as payments arrive.
EEFC : Exchange Earners' Foreign Currency account
An Indian bank account in which exporters may keep foreign currency instead of converting it to rupees.
FBIL : Financial Benchmarks India Ltd
Publishes the official reference exchange rates each working day; a common source for the exchange rate on an export invoice. Learn more ↗
FEMA : Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
The law under which RBI makes the export regulations, including the EDF rules (FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB). Learn more ↗
FIRA : Foreign Inward Remittance Advice
Proof from your bank or payment provider that foreign money was received, and for what purpose. FIRC and e-FIRC are similar certificates.
FIRC : Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate
A bank's certificate that foreign money was received. An e-FIRC is the electronic version.
FY : Financial Year
India's tax year, 1 April to 31 March. FY 2026-27 runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
GST : Goods and Services Tax
India's indirect tax. Exports of services are zero-rated: no GST is charged under an LUT. Learn more ↗
GSTIN : Goods and Services Tax Identification Number
Your 15-character GST registration number. Its first two digits are your State's GST code and it contains your PAN. Learn more ↗
GSTR-1 : GST return of outward supplies
The GST return where you report your sales, including export invoices (Table 6A). Monthly, or quarterly under QRMP.
GSTR-3B : GST summary return
The GST return where you report totals and pay tax. Exports go in Table 3.1(b).
IEC : Import Export Code
A 10-character code from DGFT. Not legally required to export services, but several banks ask for it with the EDF. Its number is your PAN; a new IEC costs ₹500 on the DGFT portal. Learn more ↗
IFSC : Indian Financial System Code
The 11-character code of a bank branch in India, e.g. HDFC0001234. Learn more ↗
IFF : Invoice Furnishing Facility
An optional monthly upload for quarterly (QRMP) filers. Export invoices can't be reported here.
IGST : Integrated Goods and Services Tax
The GST on supplies between States and on exports. Under an LUT, exports carry IGST at 0%.
IRM : Inward Remittance Message
Your bank's record of a foreign payment received, sent to EDPMS and DGFT.
ITC : Input Tax Credit
GST paid on your business purchases that you can offset or, for exporters, claim as a refund.
LUT : Letter of Undertaking (Form GST RFD-11)
Filed on the GST portal before your first export of each financial year, it lets a GST-registered exporter invoice without IGST.
PA-CB : Payment Aggregator – Cross Border
A payment company licensed by RBI to collect foreign payments for Indian exporters (for example Skydo, Razorpay, Xflow).
PAN : Permanent Account Number
Your 10-character income-tax ID, e.g. ABCDE1234F. Learn more ↗
Purpose code : RBI purpose code
A code that tells your bank why foreign money came in, e.g. P0802 for software services.
QRMP : Quarterly Return Monthly Payment scheme
Lets GST-registered businesses with turnover up to ₹5 crore file returns quarterly.
RBI : Reserve Bank of India
India's central bank. It makes the export regulations under FEMA, including the EDF. Learn more ↗
RCM : Reverse Charge Mechanism
When the buyer pays the GST instead of the seller, e.g. a GST-registered freelancer buying services from abroad.
SAC : Services Accounting Code
The 6-digit GST code for a service, e.g. 998314 for software development. Asked for on a GST tax invoice (smaller businesses can reportedly leave it out on invoices to foreign clients) and in the EDF.
SOFTEX : Software Export declaration form
The old form for declaring software exports. Abolished from 1 October 2026 and folded into the EDF.
STPI : Software Technology Parks of India
A government body that can also receive the EDF for software exports, mainly from registered STPI units. Learn more ↗
SWIFT/BIC : SWIFT code / Bank Identifier Code
The international code of a bank, e.g. HDFCINBB, used for foreign wire transfers. Learn more ↗
WOPAY : Without payment (of IGST)
The GSTR-1 export type for exports under an LUT. WPAY is the type when IGST is paid.