From Delays to Efficiency: Webinar Highlights on Streamlining Duty Drawback Refunds for Better Working Capital
Exporters across India are sitting on a massive pool of unclaimed Duty Drawback refunds of nearly INR 15,946 crore (FY 2021-22) due to manual errors, delayed filings, and the sheer complexity of claim management. In our recent webinar, “Automate Duty Drawback Refunds & Unlock Working Capital,” experts Aman Gupta (EXIM Automation Specialist, Covoro) and CA Sugandh Jain (Chartered Accountant, Covoro) shared how automation can transform this bottleneck into a working-capital growth lever.
1. Why Duty Drawback Matters for Exporters
Duty Drawback refunds are the government’s way of reimbursing exporters for customs duties paid on imported inputs used in manufacturing export goods.There are two key mechanisms:
While the Brand Rate can substantially improve cash flow, most exporters avoid it due to its complexity and data-intensive documentation process.
2. The Hidden Cost of Manual Claim Filing
The speakers highlighted that manual EXIM operations spread across spreadsheets, email chains, and paper files, resulting in:
Nearly 33% of shipping bills are never filed under Duty Drawback—leading to a direct erosion of profitability.
3. The Automation Advantage
Covoro demonstrated how AI-powered EXIM Automation eliminates these inefficiencies through:
Processing time: reduced from 121 days → 10 days
Data accuracy: improved from error-prone → 100 % verified
Manpower efficiency: up to 90% improvement
4. Automating eBRC Generation: A Game Changer
Manually generating an Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (eBRC) can take up to 15 minutes per record, costing teams 25 days each month for 800 files. Covoro’s automated eBRC engine brings that down to 30 seconds per certificate, with:
This frees finance teams to focus on strategic decisions rather than repetitive data entry.
5. Real Outcomes: Working Capital Unlocked
Through automation, exporters can:
Automation doesn’t just simplify compliance; it transforms it into a profit-enabling function.
6. The Road Ahead: AI-Driven EXIM 3.0
The evolution of EXIM operations is clear:
Covoro’s Agentic AI Ecosystem unifies data extraction, document validation, license tracking, claims filing, and incentive management all on one secure, compliant platform compatible with ICEGATE, DGFT, and Customs systems.
7. Closing Thoughts
The webinar concluded with a strong message:
“Automation is no longer optional; it’s the key to unlocking
working capital and sustaining export competitiveness.”
Businesses adopting Covoro’s EXIM Automation Platform have already reported faster refunds, improved compliance accuracy, and measurable ROI within months.
Missed the Webinar?
You can still request a personalized walkthrough of Covoro’s EXIM Automation Platform and discover how to automate your Duty Drawback claims end-to-end.