Exchange Earner's Foreign Currency(EEFC) Account

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) published by RBI.

- (Updated as on 09.10.12)

Q1.What is an EEFC Account and what are its benefits?
Ans.Exchange Earners' Foreign Currency Account(EEFC) is an account maintained in foreign currency with an Authorised Dealer i.e. a bank dealing in foreign exchange. It is a facility provided to the foreign exchange earners, including exporters, to credit 100 per cent of their foreign exchange earnings to the account, so that the account holders do not have to convert foreign exchange into Rupees and vice versa, thereby minimizing the transaction costs.

Q2.Who can open an EEFC account?
Ans.All categories of foreign exchange earners, such as individuals, companies,etc. who are resident in India, may open EEFC accounts.

Q3.What are the different types of EEFC accounts? Can interest be paid on these accounts?
Ans.An EEFC account can be held only in the form of a current account. No interest is payable on EEFC accounts.

Q4.How much of one s foreign exchange earnings can be credited into an EEFC account?
Ans.100% foreign exchange earnings can be credited to the EEFC account subject to the condition that the sum total of the accruals in the account during a calendar month should be converted into Rupees on or before the last day of the succeeding calendar month after adjusting for utilization of the balances for approved purposes or forward commitments. (A.P.(DIR.Series)Circular No.12, dated July 31,2012).

Q5.Whether EEFC Account can be opened by Special Economic Zone(SEZ) Units?
Ans.No, SEZ Units cannot open EEFC Accounts.However, a unit located in a Special Economic Zone can open a Foreign Currency Account with an authorised dealer in India subject to certain conditions.SEZ Developers can open EEFC Accounts.

Q6.Is there any Cheque facility available?
Ans.Yes;Cheque facility is available for operation of the EEFC account.

Q7.What are the permissible credits into this account?
Ans.i)Inward remittance through normal banking channels, other than remittances received on account of foreign currency loan or investment received from abroad or received for meeting specific obligations by the account holder;
ii)Payments received in foreign exchange by a 100 per cent Export Oriented Unit or a unit in(a)Export Processing Zone or(b)Software Technology Park or(c)Electronic Hardware Technology Park for supply of goods to similar such units or to a unit in Domestic Tariff Area;
iii)Payments received in foreign exchange by a unit in the Domestic Tariff Area for supply of goods to a unit in the Special Economic Zone(SEZ);
iv)Payment received by an exporter from an account maintained with an authorised dealer for the purpose of counter trade.(Counter trade is an arrangement involving adjustment of value of goods imported into India against value of goods exported from India in terms of the Reserve Bank guidelines);
v)Advance remittance received by an exporter towards export of goods or services;
vi)Payment received for export of goods and services from India, out of funds representing repayment of State Credit in U.S. Dollar held in the account of Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs,Moscow, with an authorised dealer in India;
vii)Professional earnings including directors fees, consultancy fees, lecture fees, honorarium and similar other earnings received by a professional by rendering services in his individual capacity;
viii)Re-credit of unutilised foreign currency earlier withdrawn from the account;

ix)Amount representing repayment by the account holder's importer customer,of loan/advances granted,to the exporter holding such account
and
x)The disinvestment proceeds received by the resident account holder on conversion of shares held by him to ADRs/GDRs under the Sponsored ADR/GDR Scheme approved by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board of the Government of India.

Q8.Can foreign exchange earnings received through an international credit card be credited to the EEFC account?
Ans.Yes, foreign exchange earnings received through an international credit card for which reimbursement has been made in foreign exchange may be regarded as a remittance through normal banking channel and the same can be credited to the EEFC account.

Q9.What are the permissible debits into this account?
Ans.i) Payment outside India towards a permissible current account transaction [in accordance to the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000] and permissible capital account transaction [in accordance to the Foreign Exchange Management (Permissible Capital Account Transactions) Regulations, 2000].
ii) Payment in foreign exchange towards cost of goods purchased from a 100 percent Export Oriented Unit or a Unit in (a) Export Processing Zone or (b) Software Technology Park or (c) Electronic Hardware Technology Park
iii) payment of customs duty in accordance with the provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy of the Central Government for the time being in force.
iv) Trade related loans/advances, extended by an exporter holding such account to his importer customer outside India, subject to compliance with the Foreign Exchange Management (Borrowing and Lending in Foreign Exchange) Regulations, 2000.
v) Payment in foreign exchange to a person resident in India for supply of goods/services including payments for airfare and hotel expenditure.

Q10.Is there any restriction on withdrawal in rupees of funds held in an EEFC account?
Ans.No, there is no restriction on withdrawal in Rupees of funds held in an EEFC account. However, the amount withdrawn in Rupees shall not be eligible for conversion into foreign currency and for re-credit to the account.

Q11.Are there any restrictions on accessing the forex market by the EEFC account holder?
Ans.EEFC account holders are permitted to access the forex market for purchasing foreign exchange only after utilizing fully the available balances in the EEFC accounts . Accordingly ADs are required to obtain a declaration, while selling foreign exchange to their constituents.

Q12.Whether the EEFC balances can be covered against exchange risk?
Ans.Yes, the EEFC account balances can be hedged. The balances in the account sold forward by the account holders has to remain earmarked for delivery. However, the contracts can be rolled over.

Q13.Whether EEFC Account is permitted to be held jointly with a resident close relative?
Ans.Resident individuals have been permitted to include resident close relative (s) as defined in the Companies Act, 1956 as a joint holder (s) in this EEFC bank Account. However, they shall not be eligible to operate the account during the life time of the resident account holder (A. P. (DIR. Series) Circular No. 15, dated September 15, 2011).