Service export invoices dated anywhere in March 2027 must be declared on an EDF by 30 April 2027, which is 30 days from the end of March. Because March is also the last month of the financial year, the same few weeks carry your year-end reconciliation, the January–March realisation declaration and the switch to a fresh LUT for FY 2027-28.
Key takeaways
- March 2027 invoices: EDF due 30 April 2027, one form covering every invoice raised in March.
- For services other than software, you may instead file on or before the date payment is received, if that is earlier.
- Realisation deadline: 9 months from each invoice date, so between 1 December and 31 December 2027 for March invoices. Rupee invoices get 12 months.
- March closes the financial year. Reconcile invoices, FIRAs and EDFs, and make sure your LUT for FY 2027-28 is ready before April invoicing.
- If you use quarterly ₹10 lakh declarations, the January–March quarter ends with this month.
The rule behind the date
Regulation 3(2) of the FEMA Export and Import Regulations, 2026 requires the EDF within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoice was raised. March has 31 days, so the 30 days run from 1 April to 30 April 2027.
One EDF per month can cover all your service exports of that month, to one or more recipients, with each invoice as a row in Part 2B. You do not file invoice by invoice.
For services other than software, there is an alternative: the EDF may be submitted on or before the date payment is received. Most exporters simply use the month-end rule, but if a large March invoice is paid in early April, filing before the payment lands can prevent your bank holding the credit while it waits for the form.
Realisation deadlines for March invoices
Services must be fully realised within 9 months from the invoice date, or 12 months if invoiced or settled in Indian rupees.
| Invoice date | EDF due | Realise by (foreign currency) | Realise by (INR invoice) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 1 December 2027 | 1 March 2028 |
| 10 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 10 December 2027 | 10 March 2028 |
| 15 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 15 December 2027 | 15 March 2028 |
| 25 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 25 December 2027 | 25 March 2028 |
| 31 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 | 31 December 2027 | 31 March 2028 |
The AD bank can extend the realisation period on a reasoned request. Ask before the deadline. Our EDF due date calculator works out both dates for any invoice.
Year-end: why March is a heavier month
Invoice clustering
Many businesses raise more invoices in March: annual retainers renewed, milestone invoices pushed out before the books close, true-up invoices for usage. Expect a longer Part 2B than usual and start compiling early.
LUT for the new financial year
An LUT for exporting services without paying IGST is furnished for a financial year. Your LUT for FY 2026-27 covers March 2027 invoices; April 2027 invoices need the FY 2027-28 LUT in place. File it in March or at the very start of April so you are not tempted to issue April invoices without it. Our reminder on LUT renewal for FY 2027-28 covers the steps.
GST returns
March invoices go into your GST returns for March as usual. Return due dates are notified by the GST authorities and can change, so check the GST portal or your CA for the exact March and April dates rather than relying on memory.
Reconciliation
Year-end is the natural time to make sure every export invoice of the year appears on an EDF, every payment has a FIRA, and every EDPMS entry is either closed or being chased. Our guide to year-end export reconciliation gives a method.
The ₹10 lakh declaration
For invoices up to ₹10 lakh, the bank may close EDPMS entries on your declaration that the money has been realised, and many exporters give that declaration quarterly. If you do, the January–March quarter ends on 31 March. Prepare the declaration for invoices realised in the quarter in early April, alongside your March EDF. The free realisation declaration tool builds it.
A worked example
Brightleaf Consulting LLP, a Bengaluru management consultancy, raised six export invoices in March 2027:
| Invoice | Client | Date | Amount | Realise by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BL/26-27/131 | Corvane Group, UK | 3 March | GBP 9,000 | 3 Dec 2027 |
| BL/26-27/132 | Tessaly Foods, Australia | 3 March | AUD 6,500 | 3 Dec 2027 |
| BL/26-27/135 | Pinewood Capital, USA | 12 March | USD 14,000 | 12 Dec 2027 |
| BL/26-27/138 | Corvane Group, UK | 20 March | GBP 2,400 | 20 Dec 2027 |
| BL/26-27/140 | Elstree Media, UK | 28 March | GBP 3,750 | 28 Dec 2027 |
| BL/26-27/141 | Pinewood Capital, USA | 31 March | USD 21,000 | 31 Dec 2027 |
Brightleaf's plan for April 2027:
- 1 April: confirm the FY 2027-28 LUT is acknowledged before raising any April invoice.
- 5 April: prepare the quarterly realisation declaration for January–March invoices up to ₹10 lakh that were paid in the quarter.
- 10 April: compile the six March invoices into one EDF; total the rupee value in field 1.22.
- 15 April: submit the March EDF through the bank's accepted channel.
- By 30 April: confirm the bank has recorded it.
The two Pinewood invoices are above ₹10 lakh at current rates, so once paid, Brightleaf will give the bank invoice, FIRA and matching instructions for each.
Mini checklist for April 2027
| Task | Done |
|---|---|
| List every export invoice dated 1–31 March 2027 | ☐ |
| Check each against GST records (number, date, amount) | ☐ |
| Fill the March EDF; one Part 2B row per invoice | ☐ |
| Sign and submit by 30 April 2027 | ☐ |
| Prepare Q4 realisation declaration (invoices up to ₹10 lakh) | ☐ |
| Confirm FY 2027-28 LUT is in place before April invoices | ☐ |
| Note realisation deadlines (1–31 December 2027) in your calendar | ☐ |
| Reconcile the year's invoices, EDFs and FIRAs | ☐ |
This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
When is the EDF due for invoices raised in March 2027?
By 30 April 2027, which is 30 days from the end of March. One EDF covers all service export invoices raised in March, to any number of clients.
Can I file the March 2027 EDF before the month ends?
Once all March invoices are raised, you can file any time up to 30 April. For services other than software, the EDF may also be filed on or before the date payment is received, which can be useful if a client pays early.
What is the realisation deadline for a 31 March 2027 invoice?
31 December 2027 for a foreign currency invoice, and 31 March 2028 if invoiced or settled in Indian rupees. The AD bank can extend the period on a reasoned request.
Does my LUT for FY 2026-27 cover March 2027 invoices?
Yes, March 2027 is the last month of FY 2026-27. Invoices from 1 April 2027 need your FY 2027-28 LUT, so file it before you start invoicing in the new year.
What if I miss the 30 April deadline?
The bank may accept a delayed EDF for reasonable cause. File as soon as you can with a short explanation. A delay can also mean incoming payments are held until the EDF is provided.
Bottom line
March invoices are due on 30 April 2027, in the busiest stretch of the compliance year. Start early, pair the EDF with your quarterly declaration and LUT renewal, and see the full table on our EDF due dates page. When you are ready, build the form in our free EDF form generator.
This guide is general information for Indian businesses, not legal or tax advice. Rules and bank processes change — confirm specifics with your AD bank or chartered accountant.