Thiruvananthapuram's service exporters range from large IT companies and product start-ups around Technopark to small animation studios, e-learning developers and freelance teams working for Gulf and European clients. Each files one EDF a month: to the AD bank for most services, to the AD bank or STPI for software, and to the SEZ Development Commissioner for units inside an SEZ. The city's particular mix, lots of small and mid-sized firms with strong Gulf and diaspora connections, makes a few practical points worth spelling out.
Key takeaways
- The EDF is due within 30 days from the end of the invoice month. One form covers all clients for that month.
- Being on a tech campus such as Technopark does not automatically make you an SEZ unit. Check your approvals before choosing where to file.
- Kerala-headquartered banks such as Federal Bank, South Indian Bank and CSB Bank are widely used, alongside national banks. Each publishes its own EDF process.
- Gulf clients often pay in AED, SAR or USD. Declare the currency you invoiced in.
- Small firms benefit most from the ₹10 lakh periodic declaration route for closing realisation entries.
Who exports from Thiruvananthapuram
| Exporter profile | Typical structure | Where the EDF goes |
|---|---|---|
| Large IT services companies with SEZ campuses | Company with SEZ units | SEZ Development Commissioner (for SEZ units) |
| Product start-ups and SaaS firms | Private limited, non-SEZ | AD bank or STPI |
| Animation, VFX and e-learning studios | LLP or private limited | AD bank |
| Digital marketing and design agencies | Proprietorship, LLP | AD bank |
| Healthcare IT and medical documentation | Company | AD bank or STPI, depending on the service |
| Independent professionals | Individuals | See RBI's 7 October 2026 statement below |
On 7 October 2026, RBI said individuals providing services abroad are not required to report, and that FAQs would follow. Until those FAQs are out, individuals should check with their bank. Proprietorships, firms, LLPs and companies should assume they are covered.
Technopark: SEZ or not?
Technopark is the city's best-known technology campus, and like many large IT campuses it can include both SEZ and non-SEZ space. Sitting inside the campus does not by itself make you an SEZ unit. Your approval documents decide.
- If you hold an SEZ letter of approval for the unit, file that unit's EDF with the SEZ Development Commissioner and mark field 1.5 as SEZ.
- If you are a non-SEZ tenant, file with your AD bank (or STPI for software) and mark field 1.5 as "Others" unless another category applies.
The same logic applies to other parks and campuses around the city. Our guide to SEZ units and the EDF covers mixed set-ups.
Banks used by local exporters
Kerala has several banks headquartered in the state, and many Thiruvananthapuram exporters use them alongside national banks.
- Federal Bank: use the Federal Bank EDF form.
- South Indian Bank: use the South Indian Bank EDF form.
- CSB Bank: there is a dedicated version in the generator's bank list.
- SBI, Canara Bank, HDFC, ICICI, Axis and others: all have bank-specific versions in the generator.
The EDF is identical across banks. What changes is the AD code (field 1.6), the bank name and address (field 1.10) and the submission route, which each bank publishes. Ask your branch or relationship manager how it accepts EDFs; we will not invent local branch processes.
Gulf clients and currency
Kerala's long ties with the Gulf mean many local exporters serve clients in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Two points matter for the EDF:
- Currency column: record the currency on the invoice. If you invoice in AED, the Part 2B row says AED. If the client pays in USD instead, you have a mismatch to explain at realisation. Agree the currency upfront.
- Country column: the country of the service recipient, not where its parent company sits.
Example: a small animation studio
Kovalam Frames LLP, a 12-person animation studio, works for a Dubai agency and a Toronto e-learning company. In December 2026 it raises:
| Sr. | Recipient | Country | Invoice | Currency | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crescent Bay Advertising LLC | UAE | KF/26/D-09 | AED | 28,000 | 2D explainer animation, 3 x 60 sec |
| 2 | Lakeshore Learning Inc | Canada | KF/26/D-11 | CAD | 6,400 | E-learning module animation, units 4–6 |
| 3 | Crescent Bay Advertising LLC | UAE | KF/26/D-14 | AED | 4,500 | Revisions and localisation, Arabic voice sync |
Kovalam Frames banks with a Kerala-headquartered bank, files one EDF for December with three rows, mode of delivery "Internet", and submits it through the channel its branch confirmed. It is due by 30 January 2027. Each invoice is below ₹10 lakh, so the bank may close EDPMS entries on the studio's quarterly realisation declaration.
A simple monthly routine for small firms
Small teams do not need a heavy process. This fits on one page:
- First working day: list last month's export invoices from your accounting software or invoice register.
- Same day: confirm SAC codes and descriptions; check client names and countries.
- By the 10th: prepare the EDF, sign it and submit it to your bank, STPI or SEZ office.
- Every week: download FIRAs or bank advices for new foreign credits and file them against invoices.
- Quarter-end: prepare the ₹10 lakh realisation declaration using our realisation declaration tool.
- Monthly: check invoices older than six months; chase the client or request an extension before 9 months pass.
The EDF is a FEMA declaration and does not change GST or income-tax obligations. Exports under LUT still need the line "Supply meant for export under LUT without payment of IGST" on invoices. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Technopark companies file the EDF?
It depends on the unit. SEZ units file with the SEZ Development Commissioner. Non-SEZ tenants file with their AD bank, or for software, with the AD bank or STPI. Check your approval documents to confirm your status.
Do Kerala banks accept EDFs?
Yes. Any AD Category-I bank where your export proceeds land, including Kerala-headquartered banks such as Federal Bank, South Indian Bank and CSB Bank, must accept EDFs under its published policy. Ask your branch for its process.
How do I declare invoices to Gulf clients in AED?
Enter AED as the currency and the AED amount in the Part 2B row, with the client's country. Convert to rupees at a consistent rate for the total in field 1.22. Make sure the client pays in AED too.
Do freelancers in Thiruvananthapuram need to file the EDF?
RBI said on 7 October 2026 that individuals providing services abroad are not required to report, with FAQs to follow. Freelancers working as individuals should check with their bank. Those trading as a proprietorship or firm should assume they are covered.
What is the EDF due date for December 2026 invoices?
30 January 2027. The EDF is due within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoices were raised.
Bottom line
For Thiruvananthapuram exporters, confirm your SEZ status, ask your bank for its EDF channel and keep a simple monthly routine. The rest is the same form everyone in India files. Prepare yours with the free EDF form generator, picking your bank from the list.
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.