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According to DGFT Trade Notice No. 15/2026-27, license-wise voluntary duty payment details are being made available for processing EODC applications under the Advance Authorisation and EPCG schemes. This enables DGFT to use authenticated payment information electronically rather than requiring exporters to rely solely on physical payment evidence.
For exporters using Advance Authorisation or EPCG, completing the export obligation is only part of the job.
You also need to complete the relevant closure process and obtain an Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) or applicable redemption/closure documentation.
The good news is that the process is increasingly moving away from paper-based compliance.
The Customs ICEGATE electronic voluntary-payment facility was introduced to replace manual TR-6 payments at Customs stations in applicable cases, including payments connected with EODC and EPCG matters.
Less physical paperwork → more electronic payment records → easier digital verification.
An Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) is essentially confirmation that an exporter has fulfilled the applicable export obligation under an export-promotion authorisation.
For example, under the EPCG framework, the authorisation holder applies online for EODC after completing the required export obligation and submitting the prescribed evidence. DGFT’s Regional Authority examines the application and, where requirements are met, issues the EODC.
For exporters, EODC is therefore an important step toward formally closing the obligation attached to the authorisation.
One important part of the digitisation is the ICEGATE Voluntary/Self-Initiated Payment facility.
The system allows eligible users to make certain voluntary payments electronically instead of relying on traditional manual TR-6 payment procedures.
The facility covers payments connected with matters including:
This means exporters increasingly have an electronic trail for payments that Customs can verify through the system.
For a large exporter with a dedicated compliance team, paperwork may be manageable.
For a small exporter, it can mean:
Finding old challans → checking payment details → arranging documents → following up with Customs → submitting proof.
Digitisation can reduce some of this administrative friction.
Your export compliance is becoming more connected.
DGFT already provides online EODC processing, while the current Handbook of Procedures provides for electronic transmission of EODC information from DGFT to ICEGATE through API message exchange for EPCG cases.
A simplified view is:
1. Obtain Advance Authorisation/EPCG authorisation
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2. Complete the required export obligation
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3. Make any applicable duty/payment required
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4. Submit the prescribed online EODC/closure application
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5. DGFT Regional Authority verifies compliance
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6. EODC/Redemption is issued
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7. Relevant information is transmitted electronically to Customs where applicable
The exact documents and procedure depend on the scheme and circumstances.
If you are approaching the closure of an Advance Authorisation or EPCG authorisation, don’t wait until the last moment.
Most importantly, check your payment and export records before filing the EODC application.
The move toward electronic voluntary payments is intended to reduce dependence on traditional manual TR-6 procedures.
Customs’ electronic voluntary-payment framework was specifically introduced to digitise such payments, with the system allowing users to generate self-initiated challans and make payments through ICEGATE.
However, don’t assume that every challan or payment requirement has disappeared for every type of Customs transaction.
The applicable procedure depends on the transaction and scheme.
That’s why exporters should always check the latest DGFT/ICEGATE instructions applicable to their particular authorisation.
Getting your compliance right is important.
But an exporter also needs reliable international buyers.
If you’re researching overseas markets, you can use shipment-data platforms to identify companies already importing products similar to yours.
Explore Volza to research global import-export shipment data, potential buyers, suppliers and markets.
For example: An Assam tea exporter could research which companies are already importing Indian/Assam tea into markets such as Russia, UAE, the UK or other destinations before starting a sales campaign.
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The Export Obligation Discharge Certificate may sound like just another compliance document.
But for exporters using government export-promotion schemes, it is an important part of closing the compliance cycle.
The direction is clear:
Paper → Digital
Manual verification → Data sharing
Physical records → Electronic records
For India’s MSME exporters, every reduction in unnecessary paperwork is a step toward making exporting easier.
DGFT’s current Handbook states that EPCG authorisation holders apply online for EODC and that, after issuance, the EODC is forwarded electronically to ICEGATE through API message exchange.
AI Disclosure: This article was researched and prepared with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed/edited for BusinessZindagi. Government rules and export-compliance requirements can change, so readers should verify the latest DGFT/ICEGATE instructions or consult a qualified professional before acting.
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