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SEZ Compliance: Understanding the Real Reporting Workload

CS Prashant KumarSeptember 17, 2026September 17, 2026

SEZ compliance involves more than simply submitting the MPR, SERF or APR. Behind every filing is a recurring process of collecting information, updating records, carrying forward previous-period data, reconciling figures and coordinating with finance, HR, banks and Head Office.
But how much time does this actually take? Where do professionals face the most difficulty? And which parts of the process are genuinely repetitive?
I am conducting a short survey to understand how SEZ/IFSC entities, CSs, CAs and compliance professionals currently manage this work.
If you handle SEZ compliance, I would value your input.

GIFT SEZ / IFSC · Market Research

How is SEZ compliance reporting actually done?

A short research survey for professionals involved in MPR, SERF, APR and DSPF reporting. This survey is about your current process and pain points — not about evaluating any particular software.

Website

About your role

This helps us understand who actually handles SEZ reporting.

What best describes your role? *

SEZ/IFSC entity — Founder / Director / CFO SEZ/IFSC entity — In-house compliance / finance Company Secretary / CS firm Chartered Accountant / CA firm Consultant / professional handling SEZ compliance Other

How many SEZ/IFSC units do you currently handle compliance for? *

1 2–5 6–20 21–50 More than 50

Who primarily prepares your MPR / SERF / APR data? *

I prepare it myself My in-house finance/compliance team External CS/CA/consultant Shared between in-house team and external consultant Other

Your details

We ask for these only so we can understand the respondent profile and, if necessary, clarify a response.

Name *

Email ID *

Mobile Number *

The monthly workload

Think about the most recent normal reporting cycle.

Approximately how much time does your team spend preparing MPR / SERF data for one unit each month? *

Less than 30 minutes 30–60 minutes 1–2 hours 2–4 hours More than 4 hours It varies significantly

How much of that time is spent collecting / chasing information from others? *

Almost none Less than 25% 25–50% 50–75% More than 75% Not sure

How many different people/functions normally contribute information before the filing can be prepared? *

1 person 2 people 3–4 people 5–7 people More than 7

Where does the information come from?

Select all that apply.

Which sources do you normally use? *

Excel / Google Sheets Accounting software (Tally / Zoho / ERP) Bank statements Invoices / billing records FIRC / BRC / bank realisation records Finance / accounts team HR / employee records Parent / Head Office Email / WhatsApp / other messages Previous month’s MPR / SERF / APR Other

What gets repeated?

We are interested in the work that is carried forward every month.

Which information is usually repeated or carried forward from the previous month? *

Entity / LOA / registration details Employee details / employee count Investment details Invoice / export information FIRC / realisation information Bank / FCY expense information Domestic services / DSPF information NFE / cumulative figures Previous month figures / opening balances Other

How do you currently carry forward previous-month information? *

Copy-paste / update the previous Excel file Use formulas linked to previous sheets Maintain a master Excel and prepare the filing separately Use accounting / ERP reports Manually re-enter the information Other

What is your main working tool for this process? *

Excel Google Sheets Accounting / ERP software Word / PDF + Excel A CS/CA firm’s template Other

Data ownership

Especially relevant where finance or HR sits outside GIFT City.

How often do you need to obtain information from someone outside the immediate compliance team? *

Never / almost never Occasionally Every month For most monthly filings Almost all information comes from outside

Where is the main working record for SEZ reporting maintained today? *

One Excel file on my computer Shared Excel / Google Sheet Company accounting / ERP system Email / multiple files / folders CS/CA/consultant’s records Other

Where does the process hurt?

Choose what actually causes difficulty, not what sounds theoretically useful.

Which parts of the process are most difficult or time-consuming? *

Collecting information from finance/accounts Collecting employee / HR information Getting information from parent / Head Office Reviewing invoices and classifying them Matching invoices with FIRC / realisation Preparing the Foreign Currency Expense information Carrying forward cumulative figures Reconciling MPR / SERF figures Checking NFE / cumulative calculations Preparing DSPF information Checking for errors before filing Maintaining records for APR / audit / inspection Actually entering/uploading the final filing Other

In the last 12 months, have you had to correct an error or respond to a clarification/query related to your SEZ reporting? *

Yes, more than once Yes, once No Not sure / cannot recall

Tell us in your own words

This is the most valuable question in the survey.

What is the single most frustrating or repetitive part of your SEZ reporting process?

One final question

Please answer based on your current experience.

If you could eliminate one part of the monthly SEZ reporting process, what would it be? *

Collecting information from different people Copying / carrying forward previous-month data Preparing / checking invoices and FIRC details Preparing FCY expense information Calculating / reconciling cumulative figures Checking the final MPR / SERF data Maintaining records for future APR / audit Final portal entry / upload Nothing — the current process is manageable

Thank you. This research is intended to understand how SEZ/IFSC entities and their professional advisers currently manage recurring compliance work. No product or offer is being presented as part of this survey.

The objective is simple: understand the problem before building a solution.

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How is SEZ compliance reporting actually done?

About your role

Your details

The monthly workload

Where does the information come from?

What gets repeated?

Data ownership

Where does the process hurt?

Tell us in your own words

One final question

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