Guide for Service Exporters
Menu
Invoicing

FIRC and e-BRC: What an Export Invoice from India Actually Needs

Author:
Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
Verified by:
Editorial team
Published
Last modified
Fees checked on
Reading time
6 min read

Short answer

An export invoice from India is closed out by a FIRC or FIRA from the bank or provider and an e-BRC the exporter generates on the DGFT portal.12 The e-BRC is built from the bank's inward remittance message (IRM).3 Each receipt carries an RBI purpose code.4 From 1 October 2026, services exporters also file an EDF.5

Applies toRules involvedPlatforms comparedLast verified
Indian exporters of services receiving foreign payments5CGST rule 89(2)(c); DGFT Trade Notice 33/2023-24; RBI Circular No. 84 of 2012; FEMA 2026 Regulations1245Skydo, Razorpay, Karbon Business: lowest published cost on a USD 5,000 receipt67831 October 2026

Sending an export invoice is the first half of the job. The second half is the paper trail that proves the client paid: a Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) or Advice (FIRA), and an electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (e-BRC).12 This page follows one invoice from payment to e-BRC. Confirm details for your own case with a chartered accountant.

How do Skydo, Razorpay and Karbon Business compare on FIRC or FIRA after an export invoice?

Skydo, Razorpay and Karbon Business have the lowest estimated cost on published fees for a USD 5,000 receipt, and each publishes how it issues a FIRA or statement.678 The page title names no platform, so these three appear, ordered by estimated cost on published fees, cheapest first.

PlatformBest forFeeFX markupSettlementFIRARBI PA-CB statusSource
SkydoLocal bank transfers from major markets14USD 19 plus GST up to USD 2,000; USD 29 plus GST from USD 2,001 to USD 10,000; 0.3% plus GST above USD 10,00060% markup on the mid-market rate (product page); retail rate set by Skydo or its partner banks (terms)1528Within 24 hours (product page); T+1 to T+3 business days (terms)1528Free FIRA on every payment; Skydo says its FIRA and FIRC are accepted for GST filing and by banks1516PA-CB inward and outward, authorised 8 January 202617Skydo FAQs and product page616
RazorpayLocal transfers from the US, UK and eurozone181% plus GST on MoneySaver bank transfers, with a flat fee on small transactions70% on MoneySaver bank transfers7T+1 for bank transfers18FIRS emailed within 24 hours of settlement; dashboard shows bank certificates and Razorpay statements1819PA-CB inward and outward17Razorpay docs1819
Karbon BusinessUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts201% transaction fee, per Karbon's PayPal comparison page80% per the freelancer page; 0.5% to 1.0% per the comparison page20824 to 48 hours20FIRA for every transaction from a banking partner; cost not published20Not on the RBI list itself; its terms run export receipts under a partner the RBI lists as a PA-CB2117Karbon pages and terms2021

Ask any provider whether its receipts produce an IRM that you can use on DGFT, because the e-BRC depends on it.3

Which RBI and DGFT rules govern the money behind an export invoice?

RBI's Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 govern realisation, and DGFT's self-certification system governs the e-BRC.52

RuleBest forPlain meaningSource
Regulation 5, 2026 RegulationsEvery services exporterNine months from invoice date to realise; twelve months for rupee invoices59RBI59
Regulations 3 and 4, 2026 RegulationsEvery services exporterEDF to the AD bank within 30 days from the end of the invoice month5RBI5
Circular No. 84, 29 February 2012Every inward remittanceReceipts carry a five-character purpose code, "P" plus four digits4RBI4
Trade Notice 33/2023-24Exporters needing an e-BRCe-BRC self-generated on DGFT from the bank's IRM data2DGFT2
Rule 89(2)(c), CGST RulesExporters claiming a GST refundStatement of invoices with the matching BRC or FIRC1CBIC1

The chain runs invoice, then remittance with a purpose code, then IRM, then e-BRC.3

Which purpose code goes with the remittance for an export invoice?

The purpose code describes the service you invoiced, and it must match the SAC you choose on DGFT when generating the e-BRC.322 Descriptions below are the RBI wording as reproduced by HDFC Bank and DGFT.2322

CodeBest for (invoice type)Official RBI descriptionSource
P0802Software development and IT consulting invoicesSoftware consultancy/implementation (other than those covered in SOFTEX form)HDFC, DGFT2322
P1006Consulting and PR invoicesBusiness and management consultancy and public relations servicesHDFC, DGFT2322
P1007Marketing and advertising invoicesAdvertising, trade fair serviceHDFC, DGFT2322
P1005Bookkeeping and accounting invoicesAccounting, auditing, book keeping servicesHDFC, DGFT2322
P1101Video and film production invoicesAudio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services.HDFC, DGFT2322

The purpose code finder covers other services.

What does each option charge to receive payment on an export invoice?

Each option charges differently, and the FIRA or statement is included in the published fee for Skydo and Razorpay.1518

OptionBest forPublished chargeSource
SkydoLocal bank transfers from major markets14USD 19 to USD 29 plus GST up to USD 10,000; FIRA free615Skydo615
Razorpay MoneySaverLocal transfers from the US, UK and eurozone181% plus GST, 0% FX markup7Razorpay7
Karbon BusinessUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts201% transaction fee; FIRA cost not published820Karbon820
SWIFT wire to your bankClients who pay by wireBank's published charges policy52026 Regulations5

Ask your bank whether it charges for a FIRC on a wire, since the charge sits in its published policy.5

Which option is cheapest at $500, $2,000 and $5,000?

The cheapest option shifts with the amount: a flat fee costs more as a share of a small invoice and less on a large one.67

PlatformBest forINR on USD 2,000INR on USD 5,000INR on USD 10,000Cost on USD 5,000
SkydoMost INRTransfer to Skydo local account details or international SWIFT accountLocal bank transfers from major markets₹1,86,373₹4,67,991₹9,39,2060.68%
Karbon BusinessBank transfer to a Karbon virtual USD accountUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts₹1,86,262 to ₹1,86,601₹4,65,655 to ₹4,66,503₹9,31,311 to ₹9,33,0071.00 to 1.18%
RazorpayMoneySaver Export Account: bank transfer to virtual account details (Standard plan)Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone₹1,86,262 to ₹1,86,601₹4,65,655 to ₹4,66,503₹9,31,311 to ₹9,33,0071.00 to 1.18%

Ranked by INR received on USD 5,000. Reference rate: European Central Bank data for 13 November 2026. Fees, conversion markup, GST on fees and FIRA charges as published by each provider, checked 28 October 2026. Ranges appear where a provider publishes a range or does not state its GST rate. Intermediary bank charges are excluded. See the methodology.

For example, on a $500 invoice Skydo's USD 19 fee is 3.8% before GST, and on $5,000 its USD 29 fee is 0.58% before GST.6 Razorpay's MoneySaver fee stays at 1% plus GST above its flat-fee threshold.7

What documents and GST apply between the export invoice and the e-BRC?

Between invoice and e-BRC, an exporter holds the invoice, the EDF, the FIRC or FIRA and the IRM-based e-BRC, with the LUT covering GST.15224

DocumentBest forIssued bySource
Export invoiceEvery exporterYou, under rule 46, with the LUT endorsement1CGST Rules1
EDFEvery services exporter from 1 October 2026You, to the AD bank5RBI5
FIRC or FIRAEvery receiptBank or payment provider1011PayPal, Wise1011
IRMe-BRC generationYour bank, reported to DGFT3DGFT3
e-BRCRefunds and export recordsYou, self-generated on DGFT2DGFT2

See e-BRC on DGFT for the portal flow and FIRC, FIRA and e-BRC compared for definitions.

What changes in 2026 for FIRC, e-BRC and export invoices?

The 2026 changes add an EDF to the chain and reset the realisation deadline.59

  • EDF for all services: From 1 October 2026, every services exporter files an EDF with the AD bank.5
  • SOFTEX superseded: RBI Circular No. 20 supersedes the earlier SOFTEX circulars from 1 October 2026.25
  • Nine months to realise: Regulation 5 as amended on 22 September 2026 sets nine months from the invoice date.9
  • PA-CB cap: Payment aggregator cross-border transactions are capped at ₹25 lakh each.26
  • Tax year: The Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026.27

The 2026 Regulations do not spell out how the EDF works for PayPal and PA-CB receipts in practice, so ask your bank.5

How did we verify this?

We checked this page against the sources below on 31 October 2026. Provider fees, conversion markups and RBI payment aggregator (PA-CB) status were checked on 28 October 2026. Rupee amounts use European Central Bank reference rates for 13 November 2026. Read our methodology or report an error.

  1. [1]CBIC: CGST Rules, 2017 (consolidated), rule 46 (tax invoice and export endorsement), rule 47 (time limit) and rule 89(2)(c) (refund documents)
  2. [2]DGFT: eBRC services page, self-certification of eBRC from bank inward remittance messages (IRMs), Trade Notice 33/2023-24 dated 10 November 2023
  3. [3]DGFT: FAQs (Self-Generation of eBRC), questions 1, 2, 4, 17 and 29
  4. [4]RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated 29 February 2012, reporting under FETERS (revised purpose codes)
  5. [5]RBI: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, Notification No. FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB, amended up to 22 September 2026, regulations 3, 4 and 5
  6. [6]Skydo FAQs, How much does Skydo charge? (checked 2026-10-28)
  7. [7]Razorpay, Multi-Currency Account for International Bank Transfers (MoneySaver Export Account pricing) (checked 2026-10-28)
  8. [8]Karbon Business, PayPal Alternative comparison page (checked 2026-10-28)
  9. [9]RBI: Notification FEMA 23(R)/(1)/2026-RB dated 22 September 2026, amending regulation 5 (realisation period)
  10. [10]PayPal India, Foreign Inward Remittance Advise (FIRA) (checked 2026-10-28)
  11. [11]Wise Help Centre, Receiving payments for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  12. [12]CBIC: CGST Rules, 2017, rule 96A (export under bond or Letter of Undertaking), clause (1)(b) as substituted by Notification No. 12/2024-Central Tax, 10 July 2024
  13. [13]Payoneer Help Center, Digital FIRA FAQ (checked 2026-10-28)
  14. [14]Skydo FAQs, What countries can I get paid locally through Skydo? (checked 2026-10-28)
  15. [15]Skydo, Receive international payments as a freelancer in India (product page) (checked 2026-10-28)
  16. [16]Skydo FAQs, What is accepted for GST filings and banks between FIRA and FIRC? (checked 2026-10-28)
  17. [17]RBI: Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, Payment Aggregators list dated 16 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  18. [18]Razorpay Docs, International Bank Transfer (MoneySaver Export Account) (checked 2026-10-28)
  19. [19]Razorpay Docs, FIRS Automated Process (checked 2026-10-28)
  20. [20]Karbon Business, Karbon for Freelancers (checked 2026-10-28)
  21. [21]Karbon Forex Terms and Conditions, Interropac Private Limited (checked 2026-10-28)
  22. [22]DGFT: Purpose Code and SAC Code Mapping, Version 1.0, 10 November 2023 (reproduces RBI receipt code descriptions)
  23. [23]HDFC Bank: Inward Remittance Purpose Codes (bank reproduction of the RBI list, checked 2026-10-28)
  24. [24]GST Portal user guide: Furnishing of Letter of Undertaking (FORM GST RFD-11)
  25. [25]RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 20 dated 16 January 2026 (EDF for exports of services; earlier SOFTEX circulars superseded)
  26. [26]RBI: Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator dated 15 September 2025, paragraph 11(d) (transaction limit)
  27. [27]PIB: Income-tax Act, 2025 in force from 1 April 2026
  28. [28]Skydo, Terms of Use, last updated 9 April 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)

Frequently asked questions

Is FIRC mandatory for export of services from India?+

Rule 89(2)(c) of the CGST Rules asks for a statement of invoices with the matching Bank Realisation Certificates or Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates when you claim a GST refund on exported services.1 A FIRC or FIRA also shows that payment arrived within the nine-month realisation period, so keeping one for every receipt supports your records.59

Who issues the e-BRC for services exports now?+

Since DGFT Trade Notice 33/2023-24 of 10 November 2023, the exporter self-generates the e-BRC on the DGFT portal from the IRM that the bank reports.2 DGFT's FAQs describe the e-BRC as confirmation that the exporter has received payment against the export of goods or services.3

Can I generate an e-BRC without an IRM from my bank?+

An e-BRC cannot be generated without an IRM. DGFT's e-BRC FAQs say plainly that an exporter cannot generate the e-BRC without an IRM, so the bank must first report the inward remittance.3 If the purpose code on the IRM is wrong, banks can amend the IRM, and you request the change through your bank.3

What is the difference between FIRA and FIRC on an export payment?+

A FIRA is an advice and a FIRC a certificate, both from the bank or payment provider, confirming a foreign payment was credited. PayPal, for example, issues a free weekly digital FIRA.10 Wise issues an e-FIRC for each transfer.11 Rule 89(2)(c) of the CGST Rules refers to Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates.1

Do I need to mention the purpose code on my export invoice?+

Rule 46 of the CGST Rules does not list the purpose code as an invoice field.1 The purpose code is attached to the remittance, under RBI Circular No. 84 of 2012, and DGFT asks exporters to pick the SAC that matches it when generating the e-BRC.43 Keeping the SAC and purpose code consistent avoids mismatches.

How long do I have to get a FIRC after an export invoice?+

The deadline that matters is for the payment a FIRC records, which must arrive within nine months of the invoice date for foreign currency invoices, or twelve months for rupee invoices, under regulation 5 of the 2026 Regulations.59 Under an LUT, rule 96A sets when IGST becomes payable on late receipts.12

Does a platform FIRA work for e-BRC generation?+

An e-BRC is generated from the IRM that a bank reports to DGFT, so what matters is that an Indian AD bank reports the receipt.3 Payoneer says the e-FIRA or IRM in EDPMS is issued by the exporter's own bank, which may need the FIRA plus export documents.13 Ask your provider how its receipts reach DGFT.

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

RBI and FEMA

What is the difference between FIRC, FIRA and e-BRC for service exporters?

What FIRC, FIRA and e-BRC are, who issues each, how e-BRC works on the DGFT portal, and which documents Indian service exporters should keep for GST and tax.

RBI and FEMA

How do you generate an e-BRC on the DGFT portal for exported services?

Step-by-step guide to self-generating an e-BRC on the DGFT portal for service exports: IEC link, IRMs, IT vs non-IT rules, SAC codes, mode of export, bulk upload.

Glossary

What is an e-BRC (electronic Bank Realisation Certificate)?

An e-BRC is an electronic Bank Realisation Certificate that exporters self-generate on the DGFT portal from their bank's inward remittance data. What it is for.

RBI and FEMA

Which RBI purpose code should a freelancer or service exporter use?

Which RBI purpose code to use for software, design, video editing, marketing, writing, consulting, tutoring and bookkeeping exports, and how to fix errors.

Invoicing

What should an export of services invoice contain under GST?

The fields an export of services invoice needs under Rule 46 of the CGST Rules, the LUT endorsement wording, currency, numbering and a sample layout.