The STPI / SEZ filing set
For STPI units:
- MPR (Monthly Progress Report) — exports, imports, manpower, infrastructure.
- SERF (Software Export Report Form) — software / IT / ITES export compliance.
- SOFTEX — declaration via SEZ / STPI portal for software exports.
- QPR (Quarterly Progress Report).
- APR (Annual Performance Report) by 30 September.
- NFE Compliance Certificate — positive Net Foreign Exchange earnings, certified annually.
- Bond / LUT renewal.
For SEZ units, the same set with two additions: DSPF (DTA Services Procurement Form, added 2025) and Customs Shipping Bill per consignment.
Units that must file
Every STPI-registered unit and SEZ-registered unit, regardless of size. Compliance starts from the first month of operations. Missing reports for two consecutive cycles can trigger STPI / Development Commissioner notices and risk de-bonding.
Policy, Acts, rules and FEMA references
The governing layer is:
- Foreign Trade Policy chapters on STPI and SEZ schemes.
- SEZ Act 2005 and SEZ Rules 2006.
- STPI Guidelines notified by the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
- FEMA Notification 23(R)/2015 on export realisation — revised in November 2025 from 9 to 15 months.
- RBI Master Direction on Export of Goods and Services.
How we run STPI / SEZ compliance
- Compliance calendar set up — due-date map for MPR, SERF, QPR, APR, SOFTEX, bond renewal, NFE certificate.
- Monthly data extraction from accounting system (sales, exports, manpower count).
- SOFTEX form — one per export invoice, filed within 30 days of last invoice of the month.
- MPR / SERF by 10th of following month.
- QPR by 10th of month following quarter-end.
- APR by 30 September annually.
- NFE certification by an auditor, calculated on a 5-year cumulative block.
- FEMA realisation tracking — 15-month outer limit per export invoice; AD-bank coordination on overdue receivables.
What you’ll need to share
- STPI / SEZ approval letter, LoP, LoA.
- Monthly export invoices and corresponding FIRCs / BRCs.
- Manpower register for the period.
- Bank statements / AD bank confirmations.
- Software export declarations (system-generated).
- Capital goods import documents (for capital goods bond accounting).
- Client / customer master with country and contract value.
How we charge
Monthly retainer covers MPR, SERF and SOFTEX. Quarterly add-on for QPR. Annual add-on for APR + NFE + bond renewal. Fixed-fee per unit, with discount for multi-unit clients. Custom add-on for adverse-event responses (notices, audit visits).
Common questions on STPI / SEZ compliance
What’s the impact of the November 2025 FEMA amendment?
Export realisation timeline is now 15 months instead of 9. We re-baselined the receivables register for every STPI / SEZ client. Older invoices that were near the 9-month boundary are now within the 15-month buffer.
Is SOFTEX needed if the export invoice is paid promptly?
Yes. SOFTEX is a statutory declaration to RBI / STPI / Development Commissioner. Payment timing doesn’t change the obligation. Missed SOFTEX cannot be back-filed beyond a window.
What is NFE and why does it matter?
Net Foreign Exchange earnings — the positive difference between forex earned (export receipts) and forex spent (imports of goods / services / royalty payments). Must be cumulatively positive over a 5-year block. Negative NFE can lead to de-bonding.
Can our STPI unit also be a regular GSTIN tax-payer?
Yes. STPI status is for procedural / FEMA benefits. The unit still has GSTIN, files GSTR-1 / 3B / 9 / 9C and pays IGST on zero-rated supplies (or claims refund under LUT). The two regimes co-exist.
Talk to a partner.
A 30-minute call with a partner — no deck, no follow-up email blasts. Just a read on whether we’re the right team to handle your STPI / SEZ monthly compliance.