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Skydo makes compliance easy with free and automated FIRA and assisted eBRC closure.

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Once your EGM is filed, Skydo helps you manage payment tracking and compliance closure seamlessly

What Is an Export General Manifest (EGM) in Customs?

An EGM in customs is a document that carriers like shipping lines, airlines or an authorised agent file with the Indian customs to confirm an exporter’s goods have physically left India.&nbsp;

An EGM includes the shipping bill reference number, number of containers or packages loaded, weight, port code, destination, etc. Hence, an EGM acts as proof of export for customs and without proper filing, your shipment entry might remain incomplete on ICEGATE.

A proper EGM ICEGATE filing is important for the following reasons:&nbsp;

An EGM ICEGATE filing is the responsibility of the carrier line and not of the exporter.&nbsp;

Before your goods are exported to another country, the responsible airline, shipping line or an authorised agent, as per the transport mode, fills this document on the ICEGATE portal.&nbsp;

However, you must note that carriers must file it within a specified timeframe. After getting the LEO for the exported goods, a shipping line or its agents must file the EGM within 7 days of the departure of a vessel from the port of loading. If you are exporting goods through air, the responsible airline or its Ground Handling Agent (GHA) must file the EGM within 24 hours of aircraft departure.&nbsp;

While the carrier lines or their agents handle the EGM filing, as an exporter, you must match their documentation accuracy to avoid any potential delays. For this, match the <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-download-shipping-bill-from-icegate">ICEGATE shipping bill</a> details with entries made by the carrier of your goods for export.&nbsp;

While the carrier line completes the EGM ICEGATE filing, you must also have an idea about what it includes. For this, know the 4 types of forms associated with EGM filing and their contents:

What Is the Difference Between EGM and IGM?

As an exporter, as you get familiar with the EGM ICEGATE filing process, you may also come across the term the Import General Manifest or IGM. To avert confusion, refer to the following table for their differences:

How to File EGM on ICEGATE: A Step-by-Step Guide

To ensure a proper EGM ICEGATE filing, a collaborative approach between you (the exporter) and your carrier is important. While it is your carrier’s responsibility to file an EGM, your proactive involvement can ensure that it is properly filed.&nbsp;

Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

Step 1: Prerequisites and Shipment Coordination

As your cargo gets ready to align, share your shipping bill details, invoice value, specifications of the packages, etc., with your carrier. An ICEGATE registration is typically required for full tracking access, but you may check the basic EGM status with the acknowledgement number that ICEGATE generates.&nbsp;

Step 2: Customs Clearance with LEO Issuance

Upon inspection, once the Indian customs issues the LEO and hands over your cargo, your carrier generates a provisional manifest, cross-referencing your shipping bill against the loaded items.&nbsp;

Step 3: Carrier EGM Filing and Validation

Your carrier logs in to the ICEGATE portal with their digital signature certificate. They upload a digital EGM copy in XML format. It gets automatched against your shipping bill in the Indian Customs EDI System (ICES).&nbsp;

Step 4: EGM Tracking and Validation

After 1–3 days, check the ICEGATE portal to confirm your EGM is validated. A matched EGM is essential for IGST refunds, duty drawback, and customs-linked export benefits. It also supports eBRC processing and export compliance.&nbsp;

Step 5:&nbsp; Refunds, Claims and Export Closure

As you have a validated EGM copy in your hand, file for your GST refund on the GST portal under Export of Goods/Services. You may link it to your GSTR-1 return for an automatic reconciliation. Banks utilise it to release Letter of Credit (LC) payment and DGFT for <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/rodtep-scheme-rates-notifications-and-benefits">RoDTEP </a>claims.&nbsp;

Here are the steps to follow an EGM filing afterwards:&nbsp;

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Don’t let EGM errors delay your refunds and strain cash flow. As you track export compliance, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_campaign=Skydo_Phrase_Nov22&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_content=Skydo_Phrase_Nov22&amp;utm_term=skydo&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21929473575&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA9be3yiWPbIBL8u_v7bF-M31Pgty0&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwnN3OBhA8EiwAfpTYeuW-4vRN-Uy8mjZZynE2yZLTZgjv7SqL5FHDMgq66edtlqnkp05lxhoCbzkQAvD_BwE">Skydo</a> helps you track export payments smoothly with instant FIRA support.

EGM vs Shipping Bill: Differences and Similarities

While both EGM ICEGATE filing and shipping bills are integral to the export process, they operate at different stages and serve distinct compliance purposes. Understanding how they complement each other helps avoid delays in export closure and benefit claims:

What are Common EGM Errors and How to Fix Them?&nbsp;

Even if you are a seasoned exporter, you must note some common EGM issues that still may happen and tackle them:

How Can Skydo Help After Your EGM Is Filed?

Just as exporters track EGM status to avoid shipment uncertainty, payment tracking also matters. With Skydo, you can track your export payments clearly at every stage, so you always know where your money is.&nbsp;

Streamline your international payments from exports with Skydo. Get your account within 5 minutes at no forex margin today!

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Several businesses attempting to tap into the global market face obstacles with cross-border payments such as high transaction fees, long processing times, and a lack of transparency. Despite the challenges, the potential is undeniably vast.&nbsp;

A <a href="https://home.bluesnap.com/cross-border-payments-guide/">survey</a> has projected that the value of all global payments will reach an astounding $250 trillion by 2027.&nbsp;

But how can businesses navigate these major complexities of cross-border transactions and tap into this potential? The experts behind the architecture of <a href="https://www.skydo.com/?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=demo_click">Skydo</a> have considered these challenges and built a platform that can make your life easier.

Let’s say you secured a deal with a US-based client. You’re excited about the new opportunity, completed the work, and now it’s time to <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transforming-your-invoicing-experience-with-skydo?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">raise that invoice</a>. However, when the amount reaches your account, a major chunk of it is deducted from the fees associated with international transactions.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/get-the-most-out-of-your-forex-savings-with-skydo?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">Currency conversion</a>, wire transfer, and other transaction fees can add up quickly.&nbsp;

They can even become a significant expense at the business’s bottom lines. Moreover, with a payment gateway, there are further charges, such as commission fees for each transaction. It’s like trying to fill up a leaky bucket - no matter how much money he pours in, Sanjay can’t seem to make it stay.

According to a <a href="https://home.bluesnap.com/cross-border-payments-guide/">survey</a>, 68% of business owners potentially pay unnecessary high transaction fees.

#Solution 1: A Flat Fee for every transaction

Payment method like Skydo simplifies and streamlines business payments with a flat fee structure for all transactions, eliminating unexpected fees and allowing for easy cost calculations and budgeting. This means you will pay the same price, regardless of the transaction size, which can help you save time and money.&nbsp;

If you’re providing services to a US-based client, and the exchange rate between USD to INR is unfavourable, your client will have to pay more to buy the same goods or services from your business. This can make your services less competitive, and the US client may look for cheaper alternatives.&nbsp;

But, let’s say, the client does pay the amount to you for the work done. You will need to negotiate with a financial institution for the best exchange rate despite the benchmark rate being higher.

Skydo offers businesses competitive <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/forex-and-its-impact?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">FX rates</a> with zero margins for cross-border transactions, helping you save money and avoid hidden costs. Instead of negotiating with banks or FX providers, businesses can conveniently make transactions on the platform at favourable rates. This eliminates time-consuming negotiations and ensures efficient and cost-effective foreign exchange transactions.

#Problem 3: Complex Regulatory Requirements

International payments involve a range of challenges related to tax and regulatory compliance.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-can-the-right-chartered-accountant-help-your-tech-export-business?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">Finding the right CA</a> and utilising an effective payment channel can be helpful to avoid penalties or fines related to tax and to address these regulatory compliance challenges.

Skydo automates FIRA generation, eliminating the need for manual document creation and management. Our platform ensures compliance with Indian tax laws and you can conveniently download all FIRAs with just one click from our dashboards, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

Higher commission for quicker disbursement

Some payment channels charge businesses higher commission fees for expedited payment disbursement. This can be particularly challenging for small businesses that rely on timely cash flow to maintain operations.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianarajkumari/">Diana Rajkumari</a>, Director at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/dimarkus/">Dimarkus</a>, explains, “Finding the perfect balance between speed and cost-effectiveness has been a major challenge for us as we seek to receive payments from our global clients for a small company like ours. While traditional banks are slow and expensive, some fintech providers offer quicker transfers but at the cost of poor exchange rates.

Compare that to other companies such as Skydo provide a convenient way to transfer money to India from other countries. They offer flat transaction fees at competitive exchange rates and speedy transfers.”

Traditional <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/eefc-account-vs-payment-platforms?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">payment gateways</a> involve multiple intermediaries, which can cause transparency issues in foreign payments. Businesses often face unclear costs and difficulty tracking the process due to the involvement of various intermediaries. As a result, hidden costs may arise, negatively impacting the business's profits.

Cross-border payments with Skydo will hit your bank account instantly. There are no commission fees or hidden charges in any way.

We help streamline payments by creating local bank accounts in various countries, making transfers quick and effortless.&nbsp;

Here are the steps to streamline payments for businesses:

#Problem 5:&nbsp; Fragmented Payment Solutions

A <a href="https://home.bluesnap.com/cross-border-payments-guide/">survey</a> found that 31% of organisations work with four or more payment processors to meet their cross-border needs. It's time-consuming, requires much manual effort, and can be error-prone. This process includes:

#Solution 5: Single Source of Truth for All Your Global Payments

Skydo offers a real-time dashboard view to simplify foreign payment processes. This one-stop solution makes it easy to track payments and access transaction histories for each transaction. This eliminates tedious and time-consuming reconciliation between invoices and payments.

Working with global clients can be rewarding if a business owner is aware of the challenges of global payments. However, these challenges can be overcome with the right tools and solutions, like Skydo.

With Skydo, you can enjoy various features that streamline your payment experience, including instant payment processing, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/benefits-of-multi-currency-accounts?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">multi-currency support</a>, and <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/real-time-tracking-of-international-payments?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=post_link">real-time payment tracking</a>. And with its robust security measures, you can rest assured that your transactions are protected at every step.

Moreover, you can save money and lead to a smoother and more successful global business experience.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/?utm_source=blogs&amp;utm_medium=website&amp;utm_campaign=demo_click">Get in touch</a> with our expert panel to discover more about Skydo and how it can assist your organisation in overcoming international payment difficulties!

Ans: Cross-border payment refers to financial transactions involving parties from different countries, often requiring the transfer of money or assets across international borders.

Q2. What are the risks associated with cross-border transactions?

Ans: Risks associated with cross-border transactions include currency exchange rate fluctuations, regulatory compliance challenges, and the potential for delays or errors in payment processing.

Ans: Cross-border payments may fail due to issues such as technical glitches, incorrect recipient information, regulatory restrictions, or insufficient funds in the sender's account.

Ans: A cross-border payment fee is a charge imposed by financial institutions or payment service providers for facilitating the transfer of funds between individuals or businesses across international borders.

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Receipts on account of Sale of non-produced non-financial assets (Sale of intangible assets like patents, copyrights, trademarks etc., land acquired by government, use of natural resources) -Government

This code applies to situations where the Indian government sells intangible assets like patents, copyrights, trademarks etc to a foreign entity. This however excludes any kind of financial assets.

Receipts on account of Sale of non-produced non-financial assets (Sale of intangible assets like patents, copyrights, trademarks etc., use of natural resources) - Non-Government

P0019 is used when a private company or organization in India sells intangible assets like patents, copyrights, trademarks, or even the right to use natural resources (with government permission) to a foreign entity. This however excludes any kind of financial assets. 

Value of export bills negotiated / purchased/discounted etc. (covered under GR/PP/SOFTEX/EC copy of shipping bills etc.)

P0101 is used when an Indian company exports goods and receives a foreign payment that is usually backed up by official export documentation like GR, PP, SOFTEX, or EC copy of shipping bills. 

Realisation of export bills (in respect of goods) sent on collection (full invoice value)

This code is used when an Indian company exports goods and receives payment for the full invoice value. Note that this purpose code is applicable only when the foreign client has received the shipment. 

Advance receipts against export contracts (export of goods only)

This is used when businesses receive advance payment against the contract of the goods to be exported. In other words, here the company receives payment for goods before they are shipped.

Goods sold under merchanting / Receipt against export leg of merchanting trade*

This code applies to situations where an Indian company acts as a middleman in an international trade transaction, but the goods never physically enter India.

This code is used for foreign exchange transactions related to business travel, particularly when someone converts currency for a work trip abroad.

This code is used when exporters receive foreign payment for providing hardware consultancy or implementation services abroad.

Software implementation/consultancy  (other than those covered in SOFTEX form)

This code is applicable for any sort of software developement, implementation and/or consultancy work done other than those covered in SOFTEX form.

This code applies when exporters are receiving foreign currency for providing data processing services abroad. This could be relevant for companies like Business Process Outsourcers (BPOs) 

P0805 is used when when an Indian entity receives international payment for providing news agency services abroad. For example An Indian news agency receives payment from a foreign media outlet for news content.

Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.

This is a catch-all code to track foreign payments for various information services not explicitly mentioned in other codes under P08. This can include subscriptions to specialized databases, newspaper periodicals etc.

This code signifies that an Indian company is receiving payment for software development or IT services provided to a foreign client, but the work itself is done in India.

Trade related services - Commission on exports/imports."

This code applies when an Indian company is receiving payment for working as a commission agent for foreign parties. The commission agent helps the foreign party to sell in India or buy from India. 

This code is used when an Indian entity receives payments for providing legal services to foreign clients. 

Accounting, auditing, book keeping services

This code is applicable when an Indian entity receives international payment from foreign clients for providing financial expertise in the field of accounting, auditing, book keeping and tax consultation

Business and management consultancy and public relations services

This code is used when exporters receive a payment from a foreign client for providing business consultancy, management consultancy or public relations services.

Advertising, trade fair, market research and public opinion polling services

This code is used when exporters receive a payment from a foreign client for providing  advertising, trade fair, market research or public opinion polling services

This code is used when exporters receive a payment from a foreign client for providing research & development services. 

Architectural, engineering and other technical services

This code is used when exporters receive a payment from a foreign client for for providing  architectural, engineering and other technical services

Agricultural, mining and on -site processing services - protection against insects & disease, increasing of harvest yields, forestry services, mining services like analysis of ores etc.

This code is used when exporters receive a payment from a foreign client for providing Services related to Agriculture, Forestry, and Mining. This includes analysis, protection of sites, and on-site processing.

Inward remittance for maintenance of offices in India

This code is used when exporters receive a transfer of funds from abroad specifically for the maintenance and upkeep of an office located in India. 

This code is used when exporters, receive a payment from a foreign client for services related to protecting, managing or maintaining the environment. 

Audio-visual and related services -services and associated fees related to production of motion pictures, rentals, fees received by actors, directors, producers and fees for distribution rights.

This code applies when exporters receive a payment from a foreign client for services related to the prodction, direction, rental, distribution, or use of audio-visual content. It also includes fees paid to actors, performers and associates related to such audio-visual content.

Maintenance of foreign embassies in India

This code applies when a foreign government transfers funds for the maintenance and upkeep of foreign embassies in India.

Maintenance of international institutions such as offices of IMF mission, World Bank, UNICEF etc. in India.

This code applies when an international institution like the IMF, World Bank etc transfers funds for the maintenance and upkeep of their respective offices in India.

Inward remittance from Indian nonresidents towards family maintenance and savings

This code is used when an Indian non-resident sends money back to India for family maintenance or savings

This code is used when someone receives money from abroad that is either a gift or donation sent for personal reasons.

Donations to religious and charitable institutions in India

This code is used when religious or charitable organizations in India (non-government) receive donation from abroad.

Grants and donations to governments and charitable institutions established by the governments

This code is used when the government and charitable institutions established by the governments receive a transfer of funds from abroad as grants and donations.

This code is used while receiving payment from abroad that represents your salary, wages, bonus, or other forms of compensation for your work.

Inward remittance towards interest on loans extended to non-residents (ST/MT/LT loans)

This is used when you, receive interest payments on a loan you provided to a non-resident borrower abroad.

This code is used when you receive a payment from abroad that is a refund for goods you previously imported into India.

Reversal of wrong entries, refunds of amount remitted for non-imports

This code is used when you receive a refund for a non-import related remittance due to an error or cancellation. 

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