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PayPal vs Airwallex (2026): Which Is Better for Receiving International Payments in India?

Author:
Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
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Editorial team
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15 min read

Short answer

Airwallex publishes enough pricing to estimate the cost of a USD 5,000 receipt, so there is no cost verdict. The better choice depends on how your client pays: PayPal is best for clients paying by card or PayPal balance, and Airwallex is best for registered businesses paid by bank transfer.345

Use caseBetter optionWhy
Bank transfer of USD 5,000Cannot comparePayPal costs about 7.27 to 8.23%; Airwallex does not publish full pricing.12
Bank transfer of USD 2,000Cannot comparePayPal costs about 7.28 to 8.24%; Airwallex does not publish full pricing.12
Client paying USD 2,000 by card or linkCannot comparePayPal costs about 7.28 to 8.24%; Airwallex does not publish full pricing.12
PayPal is best forPayPalClients paying by card or PayPal balance.3
Airwallex is best forAirwallexRegistered businesses paid by bank transfer.45

1,000 USD = ₹94,243 at the reference rate for 13 November 2026 (European Central Bank data).

Estimated rupees received, on published fees

Sorted by estimated rupees received, highest first. Only providers that publish both their fee and their conversion markup for this currency and method can be estimated.

#Provider and routeBest forFee (+GST)MarkupYou receiveCost
1Karbon BusinessLowest estimated costBank transfer to a Karbon virtual USD accountUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts₹942plus GST, rate not stated0%₹93,131 to ₹93,3011.00 to 1.18%
2RazorpayMoneySaver Export Account: bank transfer to virtual account details (Standard plan)Local transfers from the US, UK and eurozone₹1,000plus GST, rate not stated0%₹93,063 to ₹93,2431.06 to 1.25%
3WinvestaGlobal Collections Account, standard plan (up to 2,000 a month per currency)Local transfers with a published per-payment fee₹1,4350%₹92,8091.52%
4SkydoPayment link (InstaLinks) paid by ACH debitLocal bank transfers from major markets₹1,885plus GST, rate not stated0%₹92,019 to ₹92,3582.00 to 2.36%
5PayoneerLocal bank transfer to Payoneer receiving account detailsMarketplace payouts such as Amazon or Upwork₹0no GST stated1 to 4%₹90,473 to ₹93,3011.00 to 4.00%
6PayPalThis pageInternational commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)Clients paying by card or PayPal balance₹4,175no GST stated3 to 4%₹86,465 to ₹87,3667.30 to 8.25%

Not estimated because pricing is not fully published: Cashfree Payments, Dodo Payments, PingPong, Stripe, Tazapay, TransFi, Wise.

Where a provider says GST applies to its fee but not at what rate, the range runs from no GST to 18%, the rate Skydo, Stripe and Winvesta state on their pages. Estimates use each provider's published fee, conversion markup, GST on fees and FIRA charge, checked 2026-10-28, against the reference rate. They exclude charges taken by intermediary banks and your own bank, and the rate a provider actually applies at the time of conversion. Check the provider's pricing page before you choose. The order is calculated only from these published numbers; no provider can pay to change its position, and there are no affiliate links.

How do PayPal and Airwallex compare at a glance?

PayPal and Airwallex compare on the twelve points below, using each provider's published information as checked on 28 October 2026. Where a provider does not publish something, the table says so.16

PayPalAirwallex
Best forClients paying by card or PayPal balance3Registered businesses paid by bank transfer45
Fees4.40% plus a fixed fee per international commercial transaction. Fixed fee by currency received, for example 0.30 USD, 0.35 EUR, 0.20 GBP, 0.30 AUD, 0.30 CAD. Approved micropayment accounts pay 6.00% plus a micropayments fixed fee (for example 0.05 USD) instead.1Singapore fee schedule: 0% for collections in most currencies; 0.60% for KRW, VND, BRL and MYR collections. A fee for incoming SWIFT payments is not listed.6
FX markupBase exchange rate plus a fee. PayPal lists 3.0% above the base exchange rate for 'converting balance and payments received into another currency' and 4.00% for 'conversions in all other cases' (INR listed at 4.00%). The fee page does not say which of the two applies when the balance is converted to INR for transfer to an Indian bank.13Singapore fee schedule: 0.40% mark-up for major currencies (AUD, USD, HKD, CNY, JPY, EUR, GBP, CAD, CHF, NZD, SGD); 0.60% for a list that includes INR; a 1.00% Auto Conversion Fee is listed without a definition. How the margin applies to a USD to INR conversion is not published.67
SettlementPayPal asks users to allow up to 5 business days for funds to show in the bank account, depending on the bank's clearing process.8Airwallex's docs give 0 to 2 business days for local INR payouts to India and 0 to 3 business days for SWIFT payouts to India.9
FIRAFree weekly digital FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advise) from February 2026, downloadable under Reports, then Tax, in a business account for the last 12 months; earlier transactions are covered by monthly FIRAs. Custom FIRA: 100 INR plus 18% GST per transaction for up to 20 transactions, or 2,000 INR plus 18% GST for a bulk request above 20 transactions; PayPal says custom FIRAs are issued by Citibank.2Airwallex says an FIRC is issued by an authorised bank in India; you request it from Airwallex support through the chatbot in the web app, and Airwallex coordinates with its banking partner. Airwallex says there may be a fee, set by the banking partner. The amount is not published.10
CurrenciesPayPal says Indian users can receive payments from international customers in more than 25 currencies. The list below is the currencies other than INR that appear in the fixed-fee table on PayPal's India fee page.111Airwallex says Global Accounts collect in 20+ currencies. The list available to an India-registered business is not published.75
KYC: who can sign upIndian residents with a personal or business account; PayPal's KYC page covers individual business accounts, sole proprietors, partnership firms (including LLPs) and private limited companies. Receiving international payments needs a verified PAN, a linked Indian bank account, a purpose code, a description of the business and full KYC (Lite KYC allows one payment under $200).31213India-registered companies and LLPs, proprietorships and partnerships, and MSMEs, per Airwallex's India document list. Proprietorships and partnerships need a GST Registration Certificate. No route for unregistered individual freelancers is listed.4
RBI PA-CB statusPayPal's India user agreement says it provides export payment services as an online payment gateway service provider under RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 16 (RBI/2015-16/185) and that PayPal is not a bank in India. RBI's status list as on 16 October 2026 shows PayPal Payments Private Limited under 'Existing PAs-CB which can operate as Payment Aggregator- Cross Border' with 'In-Principle Authorisation Granted'. PayPal is not on RBI's list of Certificates of Authorisation dated 16 October 2026.31415Airwallex's help centre lists India as a supported registration location, with the business onboarded by the Airwallex Singapore entity. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. says it is licensed in Singapore as a Major Payment Institution. Airwallex does not appear under the name Airwallex in RBI's list of authorised payment system operators (including PA-CB) as on 16 October 2026, nor in RBI's status of PA applications as on the same date.1661718
SupportNot published as a list of channels for Indian users on the pages checked; PayPal India's help centre articles are the published support route.Help centre and support request form; for FIRC requests Airwallex directs users to the chatbot in the logged-in web app. India-specific support channels are not published.710
LimitsPayPal's India user agreement lists using Export Payment Services for a product or service worth more than USD 10,000 per transaction as a restricted activity. Lite KYC allows receiving one payment under $200.313Airwallex's docs list no maximum transaction limit for local INR or SWIFT payouts to India. Limits for India-registered account holders are not published.9
How clients payThe buyer pays through PayPal from a PayPal balance, card, bank account or other payment method; alternative payment methods listed in PayPal's APM agreement can be enabled and are charged at commercial transaction rates. Payments from Indian customers are not supported.3111Local bank transfer or SWIFT to Global Account details (for example USD in the United States by ACH or Fedwire, GBP by Faster Payments, EUR by SEPA). Airwallex says restrictions apply by onboarding entity and does not publish which accounts an India-registered business receives. Card acceptance availability for India-registered businesses is not published.519
Card paymentsBuyers can pay by credit or debit card through PayPal. The India fee page publishes one rate for receiving international commercial transactions (4.40% plus fixed fee) and does not list a separate card rate.31Singapore pricing: 3.30% for domestic cards and 3.60% for international cards, plus a SG$0.50 gateway fee per transaction. Airwallex says the company must be registered in an eligible country for the payment method; whether India is eligible is not published on the pages checked.619

How much INR do you receive on $2,000, $5,000 and $10,000 with PayPal vs Airwallex?

The INR you receive with PayPal and Airwallex is the invoice at the reference rate, less each provider's fee, conversion markup, GST on fees and FIRA charge. The table works this out from published pricing at today's rate.

PlatformBest forINR on USD 2,000INR on USD 5,000INR on USD 10,000Cost on USD 5,000
PayPalMost INRInternational commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)Clients paying by card or PayPal balance₹1,72,958 to ₹1,74,760₹4,32,436 to ₹4,36,940₹8,64,899 to ₹8,73,9087.27 to 8.23%

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.

What is PayPal and who is it for?

PayPal is a payment services company whose India entity, PayPal Payments Private Limited, lets Indian residents receive payments from buyers outside India and transfers the balance to a linked Indian bank account.31

  • Regulated by: PayPal's India user agreement says it provides export payment services as an online payment gateway service provider under RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 16 (RBI/2015-16/185) and that PayPal is not a bank in India. RBI's status list as on 16 October 2026 shows PayPal Payments Private Limited under 'Existing PAs-CB which can operate as Payment Aggregator- Cross Border' with 'In-Principle Authorisation Granted'. PayPal is not on RBI's list of Certificates of Authorisation dated 16 October 2026.31415
  • Used by: Indian residents with a personal or business account; PayPal's KYC page covers individual business accounts, sole proprietors, partnership firms (including LLPs) and private limited companies. Receiving international payments needs a verified PAN, a linked Indian bank account, a purpose code, a description of the business and full KYC (Lite KYC allows one payment under $200).31213
  • Best for: Clients paying by card or PayPal balance.3

What is Airwallex and who is it for?

Airwallex is a global business account and payments company; its help centre lists India as a registration location onboarded by its Singapore entity, and it publishes no India-specific pricing page.167

  • Regulated by: Airwallex's help centre lists India as a supported registration location, with the business onboarded by the Airwallex Singapore entity. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. says it is licensed in Singapore as a Major Payment Institution. Airwallex does not appear under the name Airwallex in RBI's list of authorised payment system operators (including PA-CB) as on 16 October 2026, nor in RBI's status of PA applications as on the same date.1661718
  • Used by: India-registered companies and LLPs, proprietorships and partnerships, and MSMEs, per Airwallex's India document list. Proprietorships and partnerships need a GST Registration Certificate. No route for unregistered individual freelancers is listed.4
  • Best for: Registered businesses paid by bank transfer.45

How do PayPal and Airwallex fees and FX markup compare?

PayPal and Airwallex charge in different ways, so compare the fee and the conversion markup together, not the headline fee alone.

What does PayPal charge?

Transaction typeFeeFX markupGST on feesBest for
International commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)4.4% + plus a fixed fee by currency123 to 4%Not statedClients paying through a payment link

What does Airwallex charge?

Transaction typeFeeFX markupGST on feesBest for
Local transfer to Global Account details (Singapore fee schedule)0%616100.6%Not statedClients paying by local bank transfer
Card acceptance, international cards (Singapore fee schedule)3.6% + SGD 0.56100.6%Not statedClients paying by card

How do PayPal and Airwallex compare on settlement speed?

PayPal and Airwallex publish these settlement times for money reaching an Indian bank account.

PlatformSettlement timePayout to IndiaBest for
PayPalPayPal asks users to allow up to 5 business days for funds to show in the bank account, depending on the bank's clearing process.8PayPal transfers the balance automatically every day to the linked Indian bank account. Standard withdrawal to a bank account: no fee when no currency conversion is involved. A failed withdrawal because of incorrect bank details carries a bank return fee of 250.00 (currency not stated on the page).81Clients paying by card or PayPal balance3
AirwallexAirwallex's docs give 0 to 2 business days for local INR payouts to India and 0 to 3 business days for SWIFT payouts to India.9Airwallex pays out to Indian bank accounts in INR by NEFT, IMPS, RTGS or iACH, or by SWIFT in foreign currencies. The Singapore fee schedule lists local payouts at $0 and SWIFT payouts at $20 (SHA) or $35 (OUR). Whether payout to your own Indian account is automatic is not published.96Registered businesses paid by bank transfer45

Do PayPal and Airwallex provide FIRA and e-BRC, and are they RBI PA-CB authorised?

PayPal and Airwallex publish the FIRA position and RBI status below, checked on 28 October 2026. An e-BRC is generated by the exporter on the DGFT portal from bank remittance data, so it does not depend on the provider issuing one.39

PlatformFIRARBI PA-CB statusBest for
PayPalFree weekly digital FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advise) from February 2026, downloadable under Reports, then Tax, in a business account for the last 12 months; earlier transactions are covered by monthly FIRAs. Custom FIRA: 100 INR plus 18% GST per transaction for up to 20 transactions, or 2,000 INR plus 18% GST for a bulk request above 20 transactions; PayPal says custom FIRAs are issued by Citibank.2PayPal's India user agreement says it provides export payment services as an online payment gateway service provider under RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 16 (RBI/2015-16/185) and that PayPal is not a bank in India. RBI's status list as on 16 October 2026 shows PayPal Payments Private Limited under 'Existing PAs-CB which can operate as Payment Aggregator- Cross Border' with 'In-Principle Authorisation Granted'. PayPal is not on RBI's list of Certificates of Authorisation dated 16 October 2026.31415Clients paying by card or PayPal balance3
AirwallexAirwallex says an FIRC is issued by an authorised bank in India; you request it from Airwallex support through the chatbot in the web app, and Airwallex coordinates with its banking partner. Airwallex says there may be a fee, set by the banking partner. The amount is not published.10Airwallex's help centre lists India as a supported registration location, with the business onboarded by the Airwallex Singapore entity. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. says it is licensed in Singapore as a Major Payment Institution. Airwallex does not appear under the name Airwallex in RBI's list of authorised payment system operators (including PA-CB) as on 16 October 2026, nor in RBI's status of PA applications as on the same date.1661718Registered businesses paid by bank transfer45

Which currencies, countries and payment methods do PayPal and Airwallex support?

PayPal and Airwallex accept the currencies and payment methods below, as each publishes them.

PlatformCurrenciesHow clients payCard paymentsBest for
PayPalPayPal says Indian users can receive payments from international customers in more than 25 currencies. The list below is the currencies other than INR that appear in the fixed-fee table on PayPal's India fee page.111The buyer pays through PayPal from a PayPal balance, card, bank account or other payment method; alternative payment methods listed in PayPal's APM agreement can be enabled and are charged at commercial transaction rates. Payments from Indian customers are not supported.3111Buyers can pay by credit or debit card through PayPal. The India fee page publishes one rate for receiving international commercial transactions (4.40% plus fixed fee) and does not list a separate card rate.31Clients paying by card or PayPal balance3
AirwallexAirwallex says Global Accounts collect in 20+ currencies. The list available to an India-registered business is not published.75Local bank transfer or SWIFT to Global Account details (for example USD in the United States by ACH or Fedwire, GBP by Faster Payments, EUR by SEPA). Airwallex says restrictions apply by onboarding entity and does not publish which accounts an India-registered business receives. Card acceptance availability for India-registered businesses is not published.519Singapore pricing: 3.30% for domestic cards and 3.60% for international cards, plus a SG$0.50 gateway fee per transaction. Airwallex says the company must be registered in an eligible country for the payment method; whether India is eligible is not published on the pages checked.619Registered businesses paid by bank transfer45

What are the strengths and limitations of PayPal and Airwallex?

PayPal and Airwallex each suit some exporters better than others. These points come from each provider's own pages.

What are the strengths and limitations of PayPal?

Strengths:

  • Your foreign client wants to pay by card or from a PayPal balance rather than by bank transfer.3
  • Individual invoices are at or below USD 10,000, the per-transaction ceiling in PayPal's India user agreement.3
  • You want an export document without a per-payment fee: PayPal provides a free weekly digital FIRA.2

Limitations:

  • The receiving fee is 4.40% plus a fixed fee per international commercial payment, before any currency conversion fee.1
  • The fee page lists both 3.0% and 4.00% conversion fees and does not state which one applies to conversion to INR on withdrawal.1
  • Payments from Indian customers are not supported; only international payments can be received.11
  • Export Payment Services cannot be used for a product or service worth more than USD 10,000 per transaction.3
  • Dispute and chargeback fees apply, for example 8.00 USD at the standard rate and 16.00 USD at the high-volume rate, and receiving fees are not returned on refunds.1
  • As of 16 October 2026 RBI lists PayPal Payments Private Limited with in-principle (not final) authorisation as a cross-border payment aggregator.1415

What are the strengths and limitations of Airwallex?

Strengths:

  • Your business is a registered Indian company, LLP, partnership or GST-registered proprietorship that wants local account details abroad for clients paying by bank transfer.45
  • You also pay overseas suppliers or contractors and want one account for collections and payouts in several currencies.76
  • You are comfortable requesting an FIRC from support for each transaction rather than receiving one automatically.10

Limitations:

  • Airwallex does not appear under the name Airwallex in RBI's list of authorised payment aggregators, including PA-CB, as on 16 October 2026.1718
  • There is no India pricing page; India-registered businesses are onboarded by the Singapore entity, whose fee schedule does not mention India.166
  • The India document list requires a GST Registration Certificate for proprietorships and partnerships, and lists no route for unregistered individual freelancers.4
  • The FIRC is issued on request through support, and its fee is set by a banking partner and not published.10
  • Purpose code handling for receipts into India is not published.40
  • SWIFT payouts cost $20 (SHA) or $35 (OUR) under the Singapore fee schedule.6

Should you choose PayPal or Airwallex?

Choose between PayPal and Airwallex by how your clients pay and your usual invoice size.

Choose PayPal if:

  • Your foreign client wants to pay by card or from a PayPal balance rather than by bank transfer.3
  • Individual invoices are at or below USD 10,000, the per-transaction ceiling in PayPal's India user agreement.3
  • You want an export document without a per-payment fee: PayPal provides a free weekly digital FIRA.2

Choose Airwallex if:

  • Your business is a registered Indian company, LLP, partnership or GST-registered proprietorship that wants local account details abroad for clients paying by bank transfer.45
  • You also pay overseas suppliers or contractors and want one account for collections and payouts in several currencies.76
  • You are comfortable requesting an FIRC from support for each transaction rather than receiving one automatically.10

For example, say a designer invoices a US client USD 2,000. Because Airwallex does not publish full pricing for that case, ask for a quote in writing and compare it with the FIRA rate after the first payment.1367

Which other platforms should you consider besides PayPal and Airwallex?

Other platforms to consider besides PayPal and Airwallex are the ones with the lowest estimated cost on a USD 5,000 receipt, listed in that order.2122232425262829313234363738

PlatformBest forEstimated cost on USD 5,000FIRAReview
SkydoLocal bank transfers from major markets200.68%212223242526Skydo says it issues a free FIRA on every payment received, and that its FIRA and FIRC are accepted for GST filing and by banks.2527Skydo review
Karbon BusinessUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts281.00 to 1.18%2829Karbon says it provides a FIRA for every transaction, issued by its licensed banking partner, which it does not name. Cost not published.28Karbon Business review
RazorpayLocal transfers from the US, UK and eurozone301.00 to 1.18%3132Razorpay provides a Foreign Inward Remittance Statement (FIRS), sent to the contact email within 24 hours after settlement for bank transfers, and downloadable from the dashboard, which shows bank-provided certificates and Razorpay-generated statements. The pricing page lists FIRC or eFIRC as included and auto-generated for international cards. No separate charge is published.303332Razorpay review
WinvestaLocal transfers with a published per-payment fee34351.24%34363738Free e-FIRA, emailed within 24 hours of funds reaching the Indian bank account and downloadable from the dashboard; it shows the purpose code and exchange rate.3736Winvesta review

Compare every provider on your own invoice in the platform cost comparison.

How did we verify this?

We checked this page against the sources below on 28 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]PayPal India, PayPal Merchant Fees (page last updated 28 March 2024) (checked 2026-10-28)
  2. [2]PayPal India, Foreign Inward Remittance Advise (FIRA) (checked 2026-10-28)
  3. [3]PayPal India, User Agreement for PayPal Services (last updated 13 January 2025) (checked 2026-10-28)
  4. [4]Airwallex Help Centre, Documents required for companies in South East Asia (India section) (checked 2026-10-28)
  5. [5]Airwallex Help Centre, Which currencies can I get a Global Account in and what payments can I receive? (checked 2026-10-28)
  6. [6]Airwallex Singapore, Fee schedule, last updated 10 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  7. [7]Airwallex Singapore, Pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
  8. [8]PayPal India Help, How do I transfer funds to my bank account? (checked 2026-10-28)
  9. [9]Airwallex Docs, Payout network: bank accounts, India (checked 2026-10-28)
  10. [10]Airwallex Help Centre, What is an FIRC and how do I get one? (checked 2026-10-28)
  11. [11]PayPal India Help, Can I use PayPal to receive payments from Indian customers? (checked 2026-10-28)
  12. [12]PayPal India, Four steps to complete your KYC (checked 2026-10-28)
  13. [13]PayPal India Help, How do I receive payments through PayPal? (checked 2026-10-28)
  14. [14]RBI, Status of Applications received under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16.10.2026, Table D (checked 2026-10-28)
  15. [15]RBI, Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, 16 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  16. [16]Airwallex Help Centre, Eligible Countries and Territories (checked 2026-10-28)
  17. [17]RBI: Payment System Operators authorised under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, list as on 16 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  18. [18]RBI: Status of Applications received under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  19. [19]Airwallex Help Centre, Payments Eligibility (checked 2026-10-28)
  20. [20]Skydo FAQs, What countries can I get paid locally through Skydo? (checked 2026-10-28)
  21. [21]Skydo FAQ, How much does Skydo charge? (checked 2026-10-28)
  22. [22]Skydo, Home page (checked 2026-10-28)
  23. [23]Skydo FAQ, Who will bear the SWIFT charges? (checked 2026-10-28)
  24. [24]Skydo FAQ, Limitations and restrictions on receiving your foreign remittance via Skydo (checked 2026-10-28)
  25. [25]Skydo, Receive international payments in India as a freelancer (checked 2026-10-28)
  26. [26]Skydo, Terms of use (checked 2026-10-28)
  27. [27]Skydo FAQs, What is accepted for GST filings and banks between FIRA and FIRC? (checked 2026-10-28)
  28. [28]Karbon Business, Karbon for Freelancers (checked 2026-10-28)
  29. [29]Karbon, PayPal alternative (checked 2026-10-28)
  30. [30]Razorpay Docs, International Bank Transfer (MoneySaver Export Account) (checked 2026-10-28)
  31. [31]Razorpay, MoneySaver Export Account (international bank transfers) (checked 2026-10-28)
  32. [32]Razorpay, Pricing (checked 2026-10-28)
  33. [33]Razorpay Docs, FIRS Automated Process (checked 2026-10-28)
  34. [34]Winvesta FAQs, What are the charges for the global collections account? (checked 2026-10-28)
  35. [35]Winvesta FAQs, What currencies are available with local accounts? (checked 2026-10-28)
  36. [36]Winvesta, Multi-currency account (checked 2026-10-28)
  37. [37]Winvesta FAQ, When will I receive my e-FIRA certificate? (checked 2026-10-28)
  38. [38]Winvesta FAQ, Can I get priority processing for my withdrawal? (checked 2026-10-28)
  39. [39]DGFT: eBRC services (self-generation of e-BRC from bank inward remittance data)
  40. [40]Airwallex Help Centre, How can I create a transfer/payout? (checked 2026-10-28)
  41. [41]GST Portal user guide: Furnishing of Letter of Undertaking (FORM GST RFD-11)

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper for Indian exporters, PayPal or Airwallex?+

There is no cost verdict for a USD 5,000 bank transfer: payPal costs about 7.27 to 8.23%; Airwallex does not publish full pricing.12 The answer can change with the currency, payment method and invoice size, so check your own numbers in the platform cost comparison.

Do PayPal and Airwallex give a FIRA to Indian exporters?+

PayPal: Free weekly digital FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advise) from February 2026, downloadable under Reports, then Tax, in a business account for the last 12 months; earlier transactions are covered by monthly FIRAs. Custom FIRA: 100 INR plus 18% GST per transaction for up to 20 transactions, or 2,000 INR plus 18% GST for a bulk request above 20 transactions; PayPal says custom FIRAs are issued by Citibank.2 Airwallex: Airwallex says an FIRC is issued by an authorised bank in India; you request it from Airwallex support through the chatbot in the web app, and Airwallex coordinates with its banking partner. Airwallex says there may be a fee, set by the banking partner. The amount is not published.10

Can individual freelancers use PayPal and Airwallex?+

PayPal: Indian residents with a personal or business account; PayPal's KYC page covers individual business accounts, sole proprietors, partnership firms (including LLPs) and private limited companies. Receiving international payments needs a verified PAN, a linked Indian bank account, a purpose code, a description of the business and full KYC (Lite KYC allows one payment under $200).31213 Airwallex: India-registered companies and LLPs, proprietorships and partnerships, and MSMEs, per Airwallex's India document list. Proprietorships and partnerships need a GST Registration Certificate. No route for unregistered individual freelancers is listed.4

Are PayPal and Airwallex authorised by the RBI?+

PayPal: PayPal's India user agreement says it provides export payment services as an online payment gateway service provider under RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 16 (RBI/2015-16/185) and that PayPal is not a bank in India. RBI's status list as on 16 October 2026 shows PayPal Payments Private Limited under 'Existing PAs-CB which can operate as Payment Aggregator- Cross Border' with 'In-Principle Authorisation Granted'. PayPal is not on RBI's list of Certificates of Authorisation dated 16 October 2026.31415 Airwallex: Airwallex's help centre lists India as a supported registration location, with the business onboarded by the Airwallex Singapore entity. Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. says it is licensed in Singapore as a Major Payment Institution. Airwallex does not appear under the name Airwallex in RBI's list of authorised payment system operators (including PA-CB) as on 16 October 2026, nor in RBI's status of PA applications as on the same date.1661718

How fast do PayPal and Airwallex pay out to an Indian bank?+

PayPal: PayPal asks users to allow up to 5 business days for funds to show in the bank account, depending on the bank's clearing process.8 Airwallex: Airwallex's docs give 0 to 2 business days for local INR payouts to India and 0 to 3 business days for SWIFT payouts to India.9

Do I still need an LUT if I am paid through PayPal or Airwallex?+

Yes, if you are registered under GST and want to invoice the export without IGST. The Letter of Undertaking is a GST filing for the financial year, and it does not depend on how the money reaches you, whether through PayPal, Airwallex or a bank wire.41

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

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Platforms

Airwallex for Indian service exporters: how it works, costs and limits

How Indian businesses can use Airwallex to get paid from abroad: Singapore onboarding, who can sign up, fees, FIRC on request, purpose codes and the 2026 RBI rules.

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What Are the Best PayPal Alternatives for Indian Exporters and Freelancers in 2026?

PayPal alternatives for Indian freelancers and agencies, ordered by estimated cost: INR received on $2,000 to $10,000, fees, FX markup, FIRA and RBI status.

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What Are the Best Airwallex Alternatives for Indian Exporters and Freelancers in 2026?

Airwallex alternatives for Indian freelancers and agencies, ordered by estimated cost: INR received on $2,000 to $10,000, fees, FX markup, FIRA and RBI status.