What details do I give a US client to pay me?
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Short answer
For a wire from the US, give your name, address and account number, your Indian bank's name, branch and SWIFT code, your bank's US dollar correspondent bank and its nostro account details, and a purpose of payment for the remittance information field.12 Indian banks such as IndusInd Bank ask the sender to choose the OUR charge code if the sender is to bear the fees, and a US client will often also ask an individual for Form W-8BEN.24
A US client's accounts team usually sends a vendor form. Whether you are a freelance editor, a marketing consultant or a small agency, filling it in correctly decides whether the wire lands cleanly or your bank has to query it.
What bank details does a US client need for a wire to India?
A US client needs details for three parties: your bank's correspondent bank, your bank and you. State Bank of India (SBI) publishes a sample SWIFT instruction that sets them out by field:1
| SWIFT field | What to give |
|---|---|
| Field 56: intermediary or correspondent bank | Your bank's US dollar correspondent bank, its SWIFT code and your bank's nostro account number there |
| Field 57: beneficiary bank | Your bank's name, branch and SWIFT code |
| Field 59: beneficiary | Your name, account number and address |
| Field 70 or 72: remittance information | Purpose of the payment and how the funds should be credited |
IndusInd Bank's sample instruction adds field 71, charges, set to OUR, and asks that the purpose of remittance appear in the SWIFT message.2 Copy the SWIFT code and correspondent details from your own bank's website, for the currency on your invoice.
Why include the purpose and the charge code?
The purpose lets your bank credit the money without coming back to you, and the charge code decides whether fees come out of your invoice. Your bank uses the purpose to assign an RBI purpose code, five characters made of "P" and four digits.35 IndusInd Bank asks senders to mention charges as "OUR" so that the sender bears the transfer fees.2 See OUR, SHA and BEN charges.
Does the client need any tax form from you?
A US client will often ask for a W-8 form before paying. The IRS says a nonresident alien individual gives Form W-8BEN to the withholding agent or payer, does not send it to the IRS, and that entities use Form W-8BEN-E instead.4 See W-8BEN for Indian freelancers and W-8BEN-E for Indian companies.
Can the client pay by a US domestic transfer instead?
Yes, if you hold US local account details from a collection provider; the client then pays like any US supplier and the provider sends rupees to your Indian account. The details and published costs vary by provider; see bank details for international payments, which covers both routes.
Keep the form you sent, the invoice and the client's payment confirmation together. Your bank may ask for them later.
How did we verify this?
We checked this page against the sources below on 28 October 2026. Read our methodology or report an error.
- [1]State Bank of India: Remittances (other than UK, Canada and Middle East), sample SWIFT transfer instruction (checked 28 October 2026)
- [2]IndusInd Bank: Inward Remittances page, sample instruction to overseas bank (checked 28 October 2026)
- [3]RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated 29 February 2012, purpose codes for reporting FETERS transactions
- [4]IRS: Instructions for Form W-8BEN (checked 28 October 2026)
- [5]HDFC Bank: Inward Remittance Purpose Codes (reproduction of the RBI purpose code list)
Frequently asked questions
Does my US client need an ABA routing number to pay me in India?+
Not for your Indian account, which is identified by your bank's SWIFT code and your account number. A US routing number belongs to the US correspondent bank or to US local account details issued by a provider.
Where do I find my bank's US dollar correspondent bank?+
On your own bank's website or from your branch. SBI, for example, links a list of its correspondent bank accounts from its sample SWIFT instruction.1
Do I send Form W-8BEN to the IRS?+
No. The IRS instructions say the form goes to the withholding agent or payer, usually your client, and is not sent to the IRS. Entities use Form W-8BEN-E instead.4
What should the client write as the purpose of payment?+
A short description of the service and your invoice number, such as consulting fees for a stated invoice. Your bank uses it to assign the RBI purpose code, which for receipts is P followed by four digits, such as P0802 for software consultancy or implementation.35
This page is general information for Indian service exporters, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and outcomes depend on your facts, so confirm with a chartered accountant before acting.
Keep reading
What bank details do you give a foreign client to receive payment in India?
What to send a foreign client so a wire reaches your Indian account: SWIFT code, correspondent bank, account name, purpose of payment and charge code.
GlossaryWhat is a SWIFT code?
A SWIFT code, or BIC, is the 8 or 11 character ISO 9362 code that identifies a bank in an international payment. How Indian exporters use it.
TaxHow should an Indian freelancer fill Form W-8BEN for a US client?
What Form W-8BEN and W-8BEN-E are, why US clients and platforms ask for them, which India-US treaty articles apply, key lines, and validity.
GlossaryWhat are OUR, SHA and BEN charges?
OUR, SHA and BEN are the options a sender picks for who pays SWIFT wire charges. What each means for the amount an Indian exporter actually receives.