Can a US client pay me by ACH?

"We pay all vendors by ACH" is a common line from US accounts teams. For an Indian copywriter, design studio or SaaS company, it means the client wants to pay through its normal US payables run, which only works with US bank details.

Why can't ACH go straight to India?

ACH is a US domestic network. Nacha, which runs the rules for it, says the ACH Network reaches "all U.S. bank and credit union accounts", and it is also known as direct deposit, direct debit, electronic bank transfer or eCheck.¹ An Indian bank account has no US routing number, so a client cannot send ACH to it.

How do Indian exporters receive ACH payments?

Indian exporters usually receive ACH payments through US account details issued by a collection provider. The client pays those details by ACH like any US supplier, and the provider converts the money and pays rupees into your Indian bank account. Non-bank providers that collect export receipts for Indian businesses fall under RBI's rules for cross-border payment aggregators, including a cap of ₹25 lakh per transaction.³ Fees, exchange rates and payout times differ by provider; see local collection accounts and the international payment fee calculator.

If you have no US details, ask the client to send an international wire instead, using your Indian bank's SWIFT details. See bank details for international payments.

How fast is ACH?

ACH settles on US business days. Nacha says the network processes payments 23¼ hours every business day and settles four times a day while the Federal Reserve's settlement service is open, which excludes weekends and federal holidays.¹ Same Day ACH has been live since 2016, with a limit of $1 million per payment that rises to $10 million on 17 September 2027.¹ The provider's own payout to India then adds time.

Do your export duties change with ACH?

No. Under the FEMA (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, you still file an Export Declaration Form within 30 days from the end of the month of invoicing (or, for non-software services, on or before the date payment is received) and realise the invoice value within nine months of the invoice date.² Keep the provider's remittance advice for each payment. See what is an ACH transfer for how the network works.