What is purpose code P0806?

Purpose code P0806 is the catch-all information services code in RBI's group P08. The example it gives is subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals.⁴⁵ It is the code to compare when a foreign customer pays an Indian business for access to information.

What does the P0806 purpose code cover?

The P0806 purpose code covers receipts for information services, with subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals as the named example.⁴⁵

• Official description: "Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.".⁴⁵
• BOP group: P08, "Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services".⁴
• Direction: receipt, meaning money coming into India.¹
• Source list: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated 29 February 2012 told banks to report all foreign exchange transactions under a revised purpose code list from April 2012.¹

RBI's annex PDF showed a captcha page when this page was checked, so the wording above is quoted from the HDFC Bank and DBS Bank India reproductions, which match each other word for word.⁴⁵

When should you use the P0806 purpose code?

Use the P0806 purpose code when a foreign customer pays for access to information, such as a subscription.⁴ DGFT's mapping links it to "On-line text based information such as online books, newpapers, periodicals, directories etc" and "Other information services n.e.c".²

• Subscriptions: readers abroad pay for a newspaper, magazine or journal.
• Online information: users pay for access to directories or online publications.²

Payments for software subscriptions are discussed in purpose codes for SaaS.

Who uses the P0806 purpose code?

The P0806 purpose code is used by Indian businesses paid for information services.⁴

• Magazines and journals: have overseas subscribers.
• Directory publishers: sell online access to foreign users.
• Newsletter publishers: have paying subscribers abroad.

These users are paid for access to information they publish.

What transactions are covered under P0806?

Transactions covered under P0806 are payments for information services such as subscriptions.⁴

• Journal subscriptions: For example, an Indian magazine or journal receives fees from overseas subscribers.
• Directory access: For example, a publisher of an online industry directory sells access to foreign users.
• Research newsletter: For example, a research newsletter collects subscriptions from readers abroad.
• Online books: For example, a publisher sells access to online books to a foreign library, which matches SAC 998431 in DGFT's mapping.²

Each example is paid for access to published information.

When should you not use the P0806 purpose code?

Do not use the P0806 purpose code when the payment is for custom work.⁴⁵

• Supplying news to media: use P0805.⁴
• Writing or publishing to order: use P1017, "Publishing and printing services".⁴
• Advertising work: use P1007, "Advertising, trade fair service".⁴
• Database or data processing: use P0803.⁴

Each of these has its own description in the RBI list.

What documents are required for P0806?

No RBI document lists papers specific to P0806; your bank's own policy sets them. The FEMA (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 require each bank to have a policy and standard operating procedure listing documents, timelines and charges, published on its website.⁶

• Invoice: a service description and Services Accounting Code (SAC) that match the P0806 description. DGFT says you must choose the SAC that corresponds to the purpose code when you generate an electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (e-BRC).³
• Export Declaration Form (EDF): from 1 October 2026 every exporter of services gives an EDF to the specified authority, usually the AD bank, within 30 days from the end of the month of invoicing.⁶
• Bank record: the bank's credit advice or Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) showing the code it reported.

DGFT's purpose code to SAC mapping (Version 1.0, 10 November 2023) lists these SACs against P0806:²

The mapping is many-to-many, so the same SAC can appear against several purpose codes.²

How do you declare the P0806 purpose code?

You declare the P0806 purpose code by telling your bank the purpose when the payment arrives, then using the matching SAC for the e-BRC.¹³

1. Match the work to the description: Compare what the client pays for with the RBI description of P0806, "Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.", and with the codes listed under related codes below.⁴
2. Put the matching SAC on the invoice: Use a SAC that DGFT's mapping lists against P0806, so the invoice can later be linked to the payment on the DGFT portal.²
3. Tell the bank or payer the code: Give P0806 to your bank, or to the platform or payer that asks for a purpose, before the money is credited.¹
4. Check the credit advice: Check that the bank's credit advice or FIRA shows P0806, and ask the bank to amend it straight away if it does not.³
5. Generate the e-BRC: On the DGFT portal, link the bank's inward remittance message (IRM) to your invoice and choose the SAC that corresponds to P0806.⁹³

Banks report the code they record, so the code on the bank's record is the one that counts.

How does the P0806 purpose code affect FIRA, GST and income tax?

The P0806 purpose code is a reporting code under RBI's FETERS reporting, and its main practical effect is on the e-BRC you can generate.¹⁹

• FIRA and e-BRC: the e-BRC is now self-generated by the exporter on the DGFT portal from the inward remittance message (IRM) data the bank sends, and DGFT says you choose the SAC that corresponds to the purpose code on the remittance.⁹³ Check that the bank's FIRA or credit advice shows P0806 before you use it as payment evidence.
• GST: a supply is an export of services only when all five conditions of section 2(6) of the IGST Act are met: supplier in India, recipient outside India, place of supply outside India, payment in convertible foreign exchange (or in rupees where RBI permits), and supplier and recipient not merely establishments of a distinct person.⁷ For a GST refund on exported services, rule 89(2)(c) of the CGST Rules asks for a statement of invoices with the relevant Bank Realisation Certificates or Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates.⁸
• Income tax: the Income-tax Act, 2025 has applied from 1 April 2026, and tax year 2026-27 runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.¹⁰ Income tax is worked out on the income under that Act.

How GST and income tax apply depends on your contract and facts, so confirm with a chartered accountant.

What are the common mistakes with the P0806 purpose code?

The common mistakes with the P0806 purpose code come from using it for custom content work.⁴

• Using P0806 for writing to order: content written to order is not a subscription; compare P1017 (publishing) and P1007 (advertising).⁴
• Using P0806 for news supply: supplying news to media is P0805.⁴
• Using P0806 for data work: database and data processing charges are P0803.⁴
• SAC outside the mapping: DGFT says you must choose the SAC that corresponds to the purpose code on the remittance.³

To fix a wrong code, ask the bank that credited the payment. DGFT's eBRC FAQs say exporters must contact the bank to request a purpose code change, and that banks can amend the IRM they report to DGFT.³ The full steps are in how to correct a purpose code after payment.

Which purpose codes are related to P0806?

The codes closest to P0806 are listed below with their official RBI descriptions.⁴⁵

To compare every receipt code, see the RBI purpose codes list for exporters, or shortlist codes with the purpose code finder. Where a payment could fit more than one description, confirm the code with your bank or a chartered accountant before the money is credited.