Introduction
On July 18, 2025, Covoro hosted an insightful live webinar titled "Automating Pharma EXIM Operations," featuring industry experts Aman Gupta, EXIM Automation Specialist at Covoro, and CA Sugandh Jain, Chartered Accountant at Covoro. This engaging session attracted decision-makers across the pharmaceutical export-import (EXIM) landscape, offering practical knowledge and actionable strategies for automating compliance and trade processes.
The State of Automation in Pharma EXIM
The pharmaceutical industry's need for advanced automation is growing rapidly. According to recent industry reports, digitisation in Indian pharma is projected to surge at a CAGR of nearly 19.2% from 2024 to 2029, with over half of industry leaders prioritising process automation soon.
Only 35 % of pharma companies have implemented automation in their EXIM operations. Most companies are using fully manual or partially automated processes. This fragmented method mixes manual and automated processes, restricting firms from harnessing efficiency, strategic compliance, and automation value.
Key Challenges in Manual EXIM Operations
There are still many neglected challenges resulting from the lack of automation in EXIM processing:
Compliance and Data Issues:
- There’s no central database to collect all relevant data.
- Insufficient data cleansing, archiving, and safeguarding.
- Weak compliance and inability to track data accurately, resulting in potential audit problems.
Obstacles To Efficiency And Processes:
- Too much dependence on manual work.
- Greater possibility of mistakes and inefficiencies.
- Higher reliance on workers.
Collaborative Deficiencies:
- Absence of cross-team and cross-system collaboration.
- Restricted insights and analysis into the operations.
How Automation Transforms Pharma EXIM
Covoro’s platform displayed an impressive ecosystem powered by AI aimed at enhancing every dimension of EXIM operations. The platform facilitates the automation of data extraction from various import and export documents and has far-reaching utility.
- Import Documents: Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading or Airway Bill, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, BoE Checklist, Bill of Entry.
- Export Documents: Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading or Airway Bill, Certificate of Origin, SB Checklist, Shipping Bill.
Along with document automation, Covoro further automates incentive claiming: RODTEP, ROSCTL, and drawback claims. Advance Authorisation, EPCG, and tracking licenses are monitored, with the platform’s analytic and data feed intelligence capabilities enhanced in real time.
eBRC Automation
Automating the eBRC process was a core topic in our recent webinar. Using platforms like Covoro, exporters can:
- Instantly link IRMs and shipping bills with a centralized dashboard.
- Bulk-generate and digitally sign eBRCs in seconds, not days.
- Reduce manual errors and maximize compliance with real-time tracking, freeing up resources for more strategic work.
Automated vs Manual eBRC Generation
An in-depth walkthrough compared the traditional manual process for eBRC (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate) generation with Covoro’s automated workflow:
Aspect | Manual/Semi-Automation | Covoro’s Automation |
|---|---|---|
Data Entry | Manual, error-prone | AI-powered, automatic & accurate |
Time Required | Days to weeks | Minutes to hours |
Accuracy | Prone to mistakes & rework | Close to 100% accuracy |
Incentives | Often missed due to slow processing | Timely claims, improved working capital |
Reputation & Compliance | Higher risk of penalties, reputational damage | First line of defense against notices |
Manpower Utilization | Tied up in repetitive tasks | Redeployed to strategic roles |
As an example of how automation can improve efficiency, the time it takes to eBRC file is drastically reduced. From 15 minutes per filing to 30 seconds, the reduced filing processing time is drastic across the board.
Key Differentiators Highlighted in the Webinar
- Seamless AI-Powered Data Extraction reduces the need for manual work and boosts productivity.
- Bulk Processing & Bulk Linking of IRM and Shipping Bills streamlines processes that were previously redundant and prone to mistakes.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Visibility offers proactive oversight for pending tasks, incentive claims, and compliance obligations.
- Enhanced Compliance and Auditability establishes rigorous systems that ensure every transaction can be reviewed and traced digitally.
Due to these capabilities, the system helps reduce costs and increase accuracy while improving compliance, enabling the reallocation of the workforce to more strategic roles, thus enhancing operational efficiency and compliance.
In Conclusion
As highlighted during the webinar, sophisticated EXIM automation isn't something to be wished for shortly. It's something that isn't optional for pharma exporters. Implementing advanced, AI-powered solutions like Covoro’s enables organisations to:
- Speed up compliance and incentive benefits.
- Access advanced visibility and analytics for actionable insights.
- Maintain operational integrity to protect the organisation’s standing.
- Reassign skilled personnel to more mission-critical and strategic tasks.
Pharmaceutical executives aiming to strengthen the EXIM functions need automation. It establishes a crucial lever for navigating global market dynamics while enhancing compliance and regulatory standing.
If you missed the session or want a deeper dive into how Covoro can transform your pharma EXIM workflow, stay tuned for upcoming events or reach out directly to the Covoro team.
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