Guide for Service Exporters
Menu
Payments

How can an Indian business accept international card payments?

Author:
Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
Verified by:
Editorial team
Published
Last modified
Reading time
7 min read

Short answer

An Indian exporter accepts foreign cards through a provider that settles the money in India, often a Payment Aggregator - Cross Border (PA-CB).1 RBI's Master Direction of 15 September 2025 caps each PA-CB export transaction at ₹25 lakh.1 Payoneer publishes 2.90% + $0.49 for card payment requests.6 PayPal publishes 4.40% plus a fixed fee.7 RBI lists authorised PA-CBs.2

Applies toGoverned byDeadlinePenaltyLast verified
Indian exporters collecting foreign card payments through a PA-CB1RBI Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator, 15 September 20251Not applicableNot applicable; a cardholder dispute can reverse a paid card payment128 October 2026
Exporters selling through a merchant of record, such as Dodo Payments5The provider's own terms5Not applicableNot applicable28 October 2026

A foreign client who wants to pay your invoice by credit card cannot do so into an ordinary Indian bank account. You need a provider that accepts the card abroad and settles the money to you in India. This guide covers the regulated routes, what each provider publishes about card fees and eligibility, and what to check before switching cards on. It applies whether you are a design studio billing a US startup, a tutor selling courses to students in Europe, or a SaaS company charging subscriptions.

If you work alone without a registered business, read the companion guide on card payments for freelancers, since several providers accept only businesses.

What is international card acceptance for Indian exporters?

International card acceptance means an Indian exporter takes a foreign client's card through a provider that settles the money in India, in one of three broad ways.157

  • Payment gateway or PA-CB: a Payment Aggregator - Cross Border (PA-CB) aggregates cross-border payments for current account transactions for merchants it has onboarded, through e-commerce mode.1 Cashfree, PayU and Razorpay are on RBI's list in this category.2
  • Payment account with card checkout: PayPal and Payoneer let your client pay by card through their own pages.67
  • Merchant of record: Dodo Payments sells to the buyer at its own checkout, so the buyer pays Dodo rather than you.5

Each route has its own fees, eligibility and settlement cycle, covered below.

Who can accept international card payments in India?

Registered businesses can accept international cards at most providers, while eligibility for individuals is narrower, and each provider publishes its own conditions.4101213

Entity typeApplicableWhyBest for
Freelancer without a registered businessAt some providersCashfree enables cross-border payments only for businesses, and Tazapay requires an incorporated company413Reading the freelancer card payments guide first
Sole proprietorshipYes, at some providersStripe is open to sole proprietorships for international payments, on an invite-only basis12Proprietors with a website and checkout
LLPYesStripe is open to LLPs for international payments12LLPs selling subscriptions or courses
Incorporated companyYesStripe, Tazapay and Cashfree accept companies41213Companies comparing several providers
Exporter with export turnover up to ₹5 lakh a yearYes, with simpler KYCThe PA-CB follows RBI's KYC rules, with a simpler route at this turnover1Small exporters starting out

Razorpay also needs a website with terms, privacy, refund and shipping policy pages before it enables international cards, and approval by its banking partners.10 See KYC documents for payment platforms.

How do you start accepting international card payments?

You start accepting international card payments by choosing a regulated provider, checking its RBI status and eligibility, and completing its KYC.12

  1. Pick a channel: a payment gateway or PA-CB, a payment account with card checkout, or a merchant of record.157
  2. Check RBI's list: RBI publishes the list of authorised payment aggregators, last dated 16 October 2026, and a separate status list of pending applications.23
  3. Check eligibility: confirm the provider accepts your entity type and meets its website requirements.4101213
  4. Complete KYC: the PA-CB must carry out customer due diligence on you before onboarding.1
  5. Keep the records: keep the invoice, the settlement report and the FIRA or FIRC together for each payment.1

The PA-CB must also make sure your money is credited only to your own bank account.1

Which RBI rules apply to card payments for exports?

The RBI Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator, dated 15 September 2025, governs PA-CBs: it caps each inward or outward transaction at ₹25 lakh and requires the PA-CB to give your AD bank the documents needed to close the export entry in the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS).1 Note 2 under paragraph 4 says a card transaction is outside PA-CB activity when a card network handles the foreign exchange settlement and the aggregator receives local currency.1

The export rules themselves (realisation period, EDF) do not change because a client paid by card.1 See export payment by card and RBI rules.

What settlement times and export proof apply to international card payments?

Card receipts are converted and paid out to your Indian bank on the provider's settlement cycle, and the export proof comes either from the provider or from your own bank.121617

ProviderSettlement to IndiaExport proofBest for
RazorpayT+7 working days for international cards; early settlement at an extra charge it does not publish17Not stated in the cited FAQExporters already using Razorpay checkout
PayPalTransfers the balance to your bank automatically, after its own fees7Not stated in the cited fee pageClients who pay through PayPal
StripeDaily payout five business days after processing16Standard Chartered Bank emails a payment advice that you take to your own bank for a FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate)12Subscription and checkout businesses

Your bank uses the invoice, settlement report and FIRA or FIRC to close the EDPMS entry, and you need them for GST zero-rating. See FIRC vs FIRA vs e-BRC.

What happens if a foreign client disputes a card payment?

A card payment can be reversed after you are paid if the cardholder raises a dispute with their bank, and the RBI Master Direction says a customer's chargeback rights are not affected by the payment aggregator's arrangements.1

  • Stripe dispute fee: ₹1,000 for each dispute received.11
  • PayPal dispute fee: 8.00 USD at its standard rate.7

The chargeback guide explains the process and how to respond.

Which platforms handle international card payments best?

The platforms below handle international card payments for Indian exporters, ordered by estimated cost on published fees, cheapest first, then providers without enough published pricing to estimate, A to Z.45678911131415 Fees are as each provider publishes them, as of 28 October 2026.

ProviderPublished international card feeRBI listing (16 October 2026)Best for
RazorpayUp to 3% per successful transaction plus 18% GST9PA-CB inward and outward2Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone18
Payoneer (payment request)2.90% + $0.49, all currencies6PA-CB application in-principle only, listed as cannot operate3Marketplace payouts such as Amazon or Upwork19
PayPal4.40% plus fixed fee (for example 0.30 USD); no separate card rate7Existing PA-CB that can operate, in-principle authorisation3Clients paying by card or PayPal balance20
Cashfree Payments2.99% Visa and Mastercard; 2.95% American Express4PA-CB inward and outward2Registered businesses paid by local transfer2122
Dodo Payments (merchant of record)4% + 40c, plus 1.5% for cards issued outside the US5Not on the PA list2Software and digital product sellers2324
PayU3% under the Standard Plan, GST extra8PA-CB inward and outward2Card or PayPal checkout with INR settlement25
Stripe3% Visa or Mastercard issued outside India; 3.5% Amex; 4.3% with non-INR presentment; plus 2% if conversion is needed11PA-O only; PA-CB application withdrawn23Card checkout and subscriptions1226
Tazapay3.8% + USD 0.5 for non-high-risk industries13Not on the PA list2Companies taking card or local payment methods2728
Winvesta (payment links)Not published14Not on the PA list2Local transfers with a published per-payment fee2930
WiseNot available to India-based businesses15PA-CB inward2Bank transfers to local account details31

Currency conversion margins on card receipts are often not published separately, so the rupee amount you receive can be lower than the fee alone suggests. Use the international payment fee calculator to compare a specific amount.

What are the common mistakes with international card payments?

The common mistakes with international card payments are choosing a card route for invoices that suit a bank transfer, and skipping the RBI and eligibility checks.19

  • Using cards for large company invoices: for large one-off invoices, compare the card fee with a bank transfer into local collection account details. For example, Razorpay lists up to 3% for international cards and 1% for its MoneySaver bank transfers.9
  • Skipping RBI's list: RBI's authorised and pending lists show whether a provider can operate as a PA-CB.23
  • Ignoring the conversion margin: the card fee alone can understate the cost when conversion is not published separately.11
  • Losing the paperwork: without the invoice, settlement report and FIRA or FIRC, your bank cannot close the EDPMS entry.1

Card acceptance tends to suit exporters who sell many small or recurring payments to individuals, such as course creators, SaaS products and design subscriptions, where clients expect a checkout.5911 Fees, eligibility and RBI status change, so confirm them on the provider's pages and RBI's list before you choose, and ask a chartered accountant about your GST and EDF position.

How did we verify this?

We checked this page against the sources below on 30 October 2026. Read our methodology or report an error.

  1. [1]RBI: Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator (RBI/DPSS/2025-26/141), 15 September 2025, paragraphs 4, 8, 11 and 13
  2. [2]RBI: Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, Payment Aggregators list dated 16 October 2026 (checked 28 October 2026)
  3. [3]RBI: Status of Applications received under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16.10.2026 (checked 28 October 2026)
  4. [4]Cashfree Payments, Payment Gateway Charges, International Cards (checked 28 October 2026)
  5. [5]Dodo Payments, Pricing (checked 28 October 2026)
  6. [6]Payoneer India, Payoneer Fees (checked 28 October 2026)
  7. [7]PayPal India, PayPal Merchant Fees (page last updated 28 March 2024) (checked 28 October 2026)
  8. [8]PayU India, Pricing (checked 28 October 2026)
  9. [9]Razorpay, Pricing, International Payments and International Bank Transfers tabs (checked 28 October 2026)
  10. [10]Razorpay Docs, International Debit and Credit Cards (checked 28 October 2026)
  11. [11]Stripe India, Pricing (checked 28 October 2026)
  12. [12]Stripe Docs, Accept international payments from India (checked 28 October 2026)
  13. [13]Tazapay, Pricing (checked 28 October 2026)
  14. [14]Winvesta, Card Collections via Payment Links (checked 28 October 2026)
  15. [15]Wise Help Centre, Getting paid to your Wise Business by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (checked 28 October 2026)
  16. [16]Stripe Support, Payout schedule for Stripe accounts in India (checked 28 October 2026)
  17. [17]Razorpay Docs, International Payments FAQs (checked 28 October 2026)
  18. [18]Razorpay Docs, International Bank Transfer (MoneySaver Export Account) (checked 2026-10-28)
  19. [19]Payoneer, How to use Payoneer in India (last modified 18 September 2026, checked 2026-10-28)
  20. [20]PayPal India, User Agreement for PayPal Services (last updated 13 January 2025) (checked 2026-10-28)
  21. [21]Cashfree Payments Docs, Global Collections overview (checked 2026-10-28)
  22. [22]Cashfree Payments Docs, Global Collections: Collection Accounts (checked 2026-10-28)
  23. [23]Dodo Payments, Master Service Agreement, last updated 26 February 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  24. [24]Dodo Payments, Merchant of Record for Global SaaS (checked 2026-10-28)
  25. [25]PayU India, International Payment Gateway (checked 2026-10-28)
  26. [26]Stripe Support, Accepting international payments from Stripe accounts in India (checked 2026-10-28)
  27. [27]Tazapay, General Account Holder Terms and Conditions, last updated 15 September 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  28. [28]Tazapay Knowledge Base, Are there country differences for the documents needed for KYB? (checked 2026-10-28)
  29. [29]Winvesta FAQs, What are the charges for the global collections account? (checked 2026-10-28)
  30. [30]Winvesta FAQs, What currencies are available with local accounts? (checked 2026-10-28)
  31. [31]Wise Help Centre, Receiving payments for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal for an Indian business to accept card payments from foreign clients?+

Yes, through a regulated channel. The RBI Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator, dated 15 September 2025, lets authorised Payment Aggregators - Cross Border collect export payments for Indian merchants they have onboarded, up to ₹25 lakh per transaction. Check the provider's entry on RBI's authorised list before you sign up.12

Which providers publish an international card fee for Indian exporters?+

Among the providers checked for this guide, Razorpay, Payoneer, PayPal, Cashfree, Dodo Payments, PayU, Stripe and Tazapay publish an international card fee on their own pages. Winvesta does not publish its card fee, and Wise does not offer card acceptance to India-based businesses, as of 28 October 2026.45678911131415

Can an Indian exporter accept American Express cards from abroad?+

Yes, several providers list American Express for international card payments. Stripe publishes 3.5% for Amex cards issued outside India, and Cashfree publishes 2.95% for American Express. Other providers either quote one rate for all cards or do not publish a separate Amex rate, so check each provider's pricing page.411

How long does international card money take to reach an Indian bank account?+

The time depends on the provider. Stripe pays out international card payments five business days after processing, and Razorpay's FAQ refers to a T+7 working day settlement period for international cards. PayPal transfers the balance to your bank automatically after its own fees, on its own schedule.71617

Is there a limit on a single international card payment for an exporter?+

Yes. For Payment Aggregators - Cross Border, the RBI Master Direction caps each export transaction at ₹25 lakh, and the same cap applies to outward transactions. Providers can set lower limits of their own, so check the provider's terms before you send a large card invoice to a foreign client.1

Does a card payment change the EDF or realisation rules for an export invoice?+

No. The export rules themselves, such as the realisation period and the Export Declaration Form, do not change because a foreign client paid by card. The PA-CB gives your AD bank the documents needed to close the export entry in the Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS).1

Is Stripe open to every Indian business for international card payments?+

No. Stripe says its India accounts are invite-only, open to sole proprietorships, LLPs and companies for international payments, and that international card payments need 3D Secure. RBI's list shows Stripe as a PA-O, with its PA-CB application withdrawn, as of 16 October 2026.2312

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

Payments

How can an Indian freelancer accept card payments from international clients?

Which payment providers let an Indian freelancer without a company accept a foreign client's card, the published fees, worked examples and what to check first.

RBI and FEMA

Can an Indian exporter accept payment by card from a foreign client?

What RBI and FEMA rules say when a foreign client pays an Indian service exporter by credit or debit card, including PA-CB, refunds, chargebacks and the EDF.

Payments

How do chargebacks work on international payments received in India?

How chargebacks on foreign card payments work for Indian exporters: Visa dispute categories and time limits, RBI rules, provider dispute fees, and how to respond.

Compare

What are the best payment gateways for international payments in India?

Payment gateways for foreign card and link payments to Indian businesses, ordered by estimated cost on published fees, with RBI status, conversion, settlement and FIRC.

RBI and FEMA

How do I check if a payment aggregator is authorised by RBI?

A step-by-step way for Indian exporters to check a payment aggregator's RBI authorisation, PA-CB category and application status on RBI's own website.