An AD code is a code that identifies the specific bank branch handling your export transactions, and it goes in field 1.6 of the EDF. It is not your IFSC and not your SWIFT code, and you cannot look it up online the way you look up an IFSC: you ask the branch that holds your export account, ideally in writing, and keep the reply on file.
Key takeaways
- AD stands for Authorised Dealer. The AD code points to the AD bank branch that deals with your export proceeds.
- IFSC routes domestic transfers, SWIFT/BIC routes international messages, and the AD code identifies the branch for export reporting. Three different jobs.
- Only your bank can issue the code. A short request letter to the branch is the cleanest way to get it.
- Use the AD code of the branch where your foreign money actually lands.
- Goods exporters register their AD code with customs through ICEGATE. Service exporters normally just quote it on the EDF.
What "AD" means
AD is short for Authorised Dealer. Under FEMA, banks licensed by RBI to deal in foreign exchange are Authorised Dealer Category-I banks, usually shortened to AD banks. Not every branch of such a bank handles foreign exchange business; many route it through designated branches or central trade units.
The AD code tells RBI's systems, and the bank's own systems, which branch is responsible for your export transactions. When your EDF is entered into EDPMS, it is tied to that code. When money arrives and is matched, the same branch does the matching. You can read more in our glossary entry on the AD bank.
AD code vs IFSC vs SWIFT
These three codes all identify banks, which is why they get mixed up. They serve different systems.
| Code | What it identifies | Used for | Where you find it | Goes on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFSC | A bank branch in India | NEFT, RTGS, IMPS domestic transfers | Cheque leaf, passbook, bank website | Domestic invoices, payroll, vendor payments |
| SWIFT/BIC | A bank (sometimes a specific office) internationally | Cross-border payment messages | Bank's foreign remittance instructions | Export invoices, so foreign clients can pay you |
| AD code | A branch authorised for foreign exchange/export business | Export reporting (EDF, EDPMS, customs for goods) | Only from your bank, on request | EDF field 1.6 |
A common mistake on first EDFs is pasting the IFSC into field 1.6 because it "looks like a bank code". The bank will usually catch it and send the form back. The IFSC belongs on domestic paperwork; the SWIFT code belongs on your export invoice; the AD code belongs on the EDF.
How to get your AD code
There is no public directory of AD codes. The steps are simple, though:
- Identify the right branch. Use the branch where your current account receives foreign remittances. If your bank routes forex through a central unit, ask whether the AD code belongs to that unit or your home branch.
- Ask in writing. Email your relationship manager, or hand over a signed letter on your letterhead asking for the AD code linked to your account. Our free AD code request letter has a ready format.
- Get it on the bank's letterhead or email. A written confirmation from the bank avoids typos and gives you something to show your CA or auditor later.
- Record it. Put it in your EDF template, your EDF register and your accounting software's company details.
Banks publish their own processes and timelines, so there is no fixed turnaround. If the branch staff are unsure, ask them to check with the bank's trade or forex desk.
A worked example
Saffron Analytics Pvt Ltd, a data-engineering firm in Bengaluru, opened its current account at a public-sector bank's Koramangala branch in 2023. Its US clients pay by wire, and the money lands in that account.
When the finance lead prepared the October 2026 EDF, she had the IFSC and SWIFT code but no AD code. She sent the branch manager a signed letter on 3 November quoting the company name, account number and the request. The branch replied by email with the AD code of its designated forex branch, which handled export business for several branches in the area.
That is a useful detail: the AD code was not the home branch's own code. Had Saffron guessed, the EDF would have been tied to the wrong branch.
Several banks, several AD codes
Many exporters bank with more than one institution, for example one bank for US dollar receipts and another for euro payments. Each bank, and potentially each branch, has its own AD code.
The general principle is that the EDF goes to the AD bank where the foreign money for those invoices lands. If you invoice client A to Bank 1 and client B to Bank 2, you may end up with two EDFs in a month, each with its own AD code. Our article on using multiple banks for exports works through the options. When you change banks entirely, request the new AD code before the first invoice goes out.
Goods exporters and ICEGATE
If you also export physical goods, the AD code has a second life. Goods exporters register their AD code with customs through ICEGATE, the customs electronic gateway, for each port they ship from. Shipping bills at EDI ports then carry the code, and the shipping bill itself serves as the EDF.
Pure service exporters do not file shipping bills, so this step usually does not arise. You simply quote the AD code in field 1.6. If your business mixes goods and services, ask your customs broker and bank to confirm the registration you need.
Common questions from first-time filers
Does the AD code change if I move branches? It can. If your account moves to a different branch, or the bank reorganises its forex branches, ask for a fresh confirmation.
Is it confidential? It is not a secret like a password, but there is no need to print it on invoices. Clients need your SWIFT code and account details, not your AD code.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice; your bank's confirmation is the final word on which code to use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find my AD code on my bank's website or cheque book?
Generally no. IFSC and sometimes SWIFT codes are published, but the AD code is obtained from the branch on request. Ask your relationship manager or send a signed request letter, and get the reply in writing.
Is the AD code the same as the IFSC?
No. IFSC identifies a branch for domestic transfers such as NEFT and RTGS. The AD code identifies the branch authorised to handle your export transactions and is used for reporting, including field 1.6 of the EDF.
Do freelancers need an AD code?
Anyone filing an EDF needs to enter the AD code of their bank. RBI said on 7 October 2026 that individuals providing services abroad are not required to report, but the Regulations have not yet been amended and FAQs are awaited. Proprietorships, firms, LLPs and companies should get their AD code now.
What if my bank says my branch has no AD code?
Some branches do not handle foreign exchange directly and rely on a linked forex branch. In that case, the AD code of that linked branch is the one to use. Ask the bank to confirm it in writing.
Do I need to register my AD code anywhere for services?
Service exporters usually just quote it on the EDF. Registration with customs through ICEGATE is a goods-export step linked to shipping bills. If you also ship goods, confirm the requirement with your customs broker.
Bottom line
The AD code is a small field that causes a surprising number of returned forms. Ask your branch for it in writing, record it once, and reuse it every month. Use our free AD code request letter to ask, then drop the code into the 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.