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Export Stage 4: Receive the money

Export guide · Stage 4 of 10 · The Money Trail

Export Stage 4: receive the money, and prove you did

Five stations between a shipment and the money in your account. Choose the route, receive through your bank, keep the period, collect your proof and know what to do if the buyer does not pay. Clear each hurdle, earn each badge, and finish as a Cash Commander. Prefer reading? Use the plain guide button.

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5 stationsAbout 8 minutesTap a station, swipe the cardsClear a hurdle, earn a badge

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Payment Cadet

0 of 5 stations0 XP

Tap a station to open it. Clear each hurdle to earn its badge and unlock the next.

Station 1 of 5

Choose how the money will come

Station 1 of 5 · Badge: Route Picker

Choose how the money will come

Advance, letter of credit, documents against payment or open account.

What you do

  1. Advance: money first
  2. Letter of credit: bank pays on documents
  3. Documents against payment
  4. Open account: buyer pays later

Keep these ready

  • Order or contract with payment terms
  • Proforma invoice
  • Letter of credit, if used

Watch out

  • Open account with a new buyer.
  • A letter of credit with conditions you cannot meet.
  • No written date for payment.

Pro tip

For a first order, ask for part payment in advance and the balance against documents.

Full details for this station

The terms decide how safe your money is, and when you receive it.

How to do it

  1. Advance payment: safest for you. Ask for it from a new buyer.
  2. Letter of credit: the buyer's bank pays against documents that meet its terms. Read it with care.
  3. Documents against payment: the buyer's bank releases documents when the buyer pays or accepts.
  4. Open account: the buyer pays later. Use it only with buyers you trust, ideally with credit cover.
  5. Match the route to what you know about the buyer.

Documents to keep ready

  • Order or contract with payment terms
  • Proforma invoice
  • Letter of credit, if used

What the documents must show

Payment terms
State the route, the timing, the currency and your bank details on the proforma and the contract.

Time and cost

  • Choosing: a conversation.
  • Letter of credit: days to arrive.

Where people get stuck

  • Open account with a new buyer.
  • A letter of credit with conditions you cannot meet.
  • No written date for payment.
Station 2 of 5

Receive the money through your bank

Station 2 of 5 · Badge: Bank Pass

Receive the money through your bank

Export money comes through an authorised dealer bank, with the right references.

What you do

  1. Your bank account and AD code
  2. Remittance advice from the bank
  3. Purpose and invoice reference
  4. Keep the evidence

Keep these ready

  • Invoice
  • Bank credit advice
  • Shipping Bill copy

Watch out

  • The buyer pays without quoting the invoice number.
  • Money received in another bank account.
  • Third-party payments with no explanation.

Pro tip

Tell the buyer which reference to quote when you send your bank details.

Full details for this station

Export proceeds are tracked. Your bank links each receipt to the Shipping Bill, so keep the references together.

How to do it

  1. Give the buyer your bank details exactly as the bank gives them, with the AD code.
  2. Ask the buyer to quote your invoice number on the remittance.
  3. Collect the bank's remittance advice or credit advice when the money arrives.
  4. Ask the bank for the inward remittance details, so the receipt can be matched to your Shipping Bill.
  5. Keep the evidence with the export file.

Documents to keep ready

  • Invoice
  • Bank credit advice
  • Shipping Bill copy

What the documents must show

Credit advice
Issued by the bank. Shows the date, amount, currency, remitter and reference. Keep it with the export file.

Time and cost

  • Receipt: depends on the route and the buyer.
  • Bank matching: after you give the references.

Where people get stuck

  • The buyer pays without quoting the invoice number.
  • Money received in another bank account.
  • Third-party payments with no explanation.
Station 3 of 5

Bring the money in within the period allowed

Station 3 of 5 · Badge: Clock Keeper

Bring the money in within the period allowed

Export proceeds must be realised within the period the foreign exchange rules prescribe.

What you do

  1. The clock starts at shipment
  2. Know the period
  3. Track unpaid invoices
  4. Ask the bank before the period ends

Keep these ready

  • Invoice list with due dates
  • Correspondence with the buyer
  • Bank advice

Watch out

  • No list of unpaid invoices.
  • Waiting until the last week.
  • Not knowing the current period.

Pro tip

Put a calendar reminder at the halfway point of the period for each unpaid invoice.

Full details for this station

Money that comes in late, or not at all, becomes a compliance matter. Track each invoice.

How to do it

  1. Note the shipment date for each export. The realisation period is counted from it.
  2. Ask your bank, or us, for the current period under the foreign exchange rules, and any extension procedure.
  3. Keep a list of invoices not yet paid, with their due dates.
  4. Follow up with the buyer well before the period ends.
  5. If the money will be late, talk to your bank before the period runs out.

Documents to keep ready

  • Invoice list with due dates
  • Correspondence with the buyer
  • Bank advice

What the documents must show

Receivables list
One line per invoice: shipping bill number, date, amount, due date, amount received, balance.

Time and cost

  • Check the list: weekly.
  • Follow-up: before the period ends.

Where people get stuck

  • No list of unpaid invoices.
  • Waiting until the last week.
  • Not knowing the current period.
Station 4 of 5

Collect the e-BRC and keep your evidence

Station 4 of 5 · Badge: Proof Keeper

Collect the e-BRC and keep your evidence

Proof that the money has come in unlocks your scheme benefits.

What you do

  1. e-BRC on the DGFT system
  2. Bank advice
  3. Match to Shipping Bill
  4. Keep the records

Keep these ready

  • e-BRC
  • Bank advice
  • Invoice and Shipping Bill

Watch out

  • e-BRC not generated because the bank did not report the receipt.
  • Mismatch between the Shipping Bill and the receipt.
  • Records not kept.

Pro tip

Check each e-BRC against your Shipping Bill the week you receive the money.

Full details for this station

Many export benefits need proof of realisation. Keep the evidence together.

How to do it

  1. Ask your bank to issue the e-BRC once the money is received, or generate it through the DGFT system as the process allows.
  2. Match each e-BRC to its Shipping Bill.
  3. Keep the bank advice, the invoice and the Shipping Bill together.
  4. Use the e-BRC for any scheme benefit that needs it.
  5. Keep the records for the period the rules require.

Documents to keep ready

  • e-BRC
  • Bank advice
  • Invoice and Shipping Bill

What the documents must show

e-BRC
Generated on the DGFT system from the bank's data. It shows the Shipping Bill, the invoice, the amount realised and the date.

Time and cost

  • After receipt: days.

Where people get stuck

  • e-BRC not generated because the bank did not report the receipt.
  • Mismatch between the Shipping Bill and the receipt.
  • Records not kept.
Station 5 of 5

Know what to do if the buyer does not pay

Station 5 of 5 · Badge: Plan B

Know what to do if the buyer does not pay

Have a plan before you need it.

What you do

  1. Chase early
  2. Credit insurance
  3. Legal route
  4. Keep your papers

Keep these ready

  • Contract and invoice
  • Shipping documents
  • Correspondence
  • Insurance policy, if any

Watch out

  • Waiting too long to follow up.
  • No proof of delivery.
  • No credit insurance.

Pro tip

Keep proof of delivery with every invoice. It is your strongest paper in a dispute.

Full details for this station

Most late payments are solved by early, polite persistence. For the rest, know your options.

How to do it

  1. Follow up on the due date, in writing.
  2. Keep a record of every message.
  3. If you have export credit insurance, such as from ECGC, notify the insurer within the time its policy allows.
  4. Talk to your bank about the position.
  5. Take legal advice on recovery if needed.

Documents to keep ready

  • Contract and invoice
  • Shipping documents
  • Correspondence
  • Insurance policy, if any

What the documents must show

Reminder letter
A short, polite message with the invoice number, the amount and the due date, and a date by which you expect the payment.

Time and cost

  • Follow up: from the due date.
  • Insurance notice: as per the policy.

Where people get stuck

  • Waiting too long to follow up.
  • No proof of delivery.
  • No credit insurance.

Run complete

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Words used on this page

AD code: Authorised Dealer code of your bank branch, registered with Customs at the port. Export proceeds are tracked against it.
e-BRC: Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate. Proof, generated on the DGFT system, that export money has come in.
Shipping Bill: The export declaration filed with Customs under Section 50 of the Customs Act.

Questions people ask

Do I need a bank to receive export money?

Yes. Export proceeds come through an authorised dealer bank under the foreign exchange rules.

How long do I have to bring the money in?

Within the period the foreign exchange rules prescribe. Ask your bank, or us, for the current period.

What is an e-BRC?

e-BRC, proof on the DGFT system that the export money has been realised.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is practical guidance. Foreign exchange rules change, so ask your bank for the current position.

Want help tracking your export payments?

Send us the shipping bill and invoice numbers. We will tell you what to check with your bank. It is just a call and a message away.

Message us on WhatsAppCall +91 98230 14118

Office (backup): +91 93733 11838

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Last checked: 12 November 2026. Based on the foreign exchange rules and directions of the Reserve Bank of India, the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (DGFT) and the Customs Act, 1962 (CBIC). Rules and conditions change, so ask your bank for the current position.

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