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PayPal, Wise or Payoneer: What GST and FIRC Mean for Freelance Video Editors Getting Paid

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Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
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Short answer

Editing delivered online to a client abroad is an export of services when all five section 2(6) IGST conditions hold.1 Banks record P1101 for audio-visual and related services.2 PayPal offers a free weekly digital FIRA from February 2026.3 Wise emails an e-FIRC per transfer.45 Payoneer issues a free digital FIRA per transaction.67

Applies toRules involvedPlatforms comparedLast verified
Freelance video editors in India paid by foreign clientsIGST Act sections 2(6), 13(2) and 16; CGST Act section 22; FEMA 2026 Regulations, regulations 2, 3 and 5189101112Razorpay, Karbon Business, Skydo, Payoneer, PayPal, Wise1314151617431 October 2026

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%
6PayPalInternational 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.

Freelance video editors in India work for YouTubers in the US, agencies in the UK and production houses in the Gulf, and most are paid through PayPal, Wise or Payoneer. GST and the FIRC are where editors most often get stuck: whether the work is an export, whether they must register, and which document proves each payment. This page answers those questions with each provider judged on the same published facts. The persona guide on international payments for video editors covers payment routes in more depth. Confirm your own position with a chartered accountant (CA).

How do PayPal, Wise and Payoneer compare for freelance video editors?

PayPal, Wise and Payoneer differ for freelance video editors in how the client pays, the published fee and conversion markup, settlement time, receipt document and RBI status.1718194201621 PayPal suits clients paying by card or PayPal balance, Wise suits bank transfers to local account details, and Payoneer suits marketplace payouts.17416 The table lists PayPal, Wise and Payoneer, plus the three lowest-cost providers on published fees for a USD 2,000 receipt (Razorpay, Karbon Business and Skydo).22232425142627 Providers with enough published pricing to estimate come first, cheapest first; the rest follow A to Z.

PlatformBest forFeeFX markupSettlementFIRARBI PA-CB statusSource
RazorpayLocal transfers from the US, UK and eurozone1% plus GST on MoneySaver bank transfers, with a flat fee on small transfers; international cards up to 3% plus GST0% on MoneySaver bank transfers, per Razorpay; card conversion markup not publishedT+1 for push bank transfersForeign Inward Remittance Statement (FIRS) emailed within 24 hours of settlementAuthorised PA-CB, inward and outward132223242829303132
Karbon BusinessUS bank transfers and marketplace payouts1% transaction fee listed on its PayPal comparison page0% (freelancer page); 0.5% to 1.0% (PayPal alternative page)24 to 48 hoursFIRA for every transaction, from an unnamed banking partnerNot on the RBI list itself; its terms run export receipts under a partner the RBI lists as a PA-CB1425333435
SkydoLocal bank transfers from major marketsUSD 19 plus GST up to USD 2,000; USD 29 plus GST up to USD 10,000; 0.3% plus GST above0% markup on the mid-market rate (product page); retail rate set by Skydo or its partner banks (terms)T+1 to T+3 business days in its termsFree FIRA on every paymentAuthorised PA-CB, inward and outward, 8 January 20261526273637383932
PayoneerMarketplace payouts such as Amazon or UpworkFree to receive (multi-currency account page); fixed fee or 1% for non-local currencies (pricing page); card payment requests 2.90% + USD 0.491% to 4% when converted to INR for withdrawalWithin 24 hours (multi-currency account page); within 48 hours (pricing page)Free digital FIRA for each transactionIn-principle PA-CB authorisation on 22 January 2026; RBI lists the application as under process1640216741424335
PayPalClients paying by card or PayPal balance4.40% plus a fixed fee per international commercial transaction (USD 0.30 on USD)3.0% or 4.00% above the base exchange rateUp to 5 business days to reach the bankFree weekly digital FIRA from February 2026Existing PA-CB with in-principle authorisation on RBI's status list17184434532
WiseBank transfers to local account details2 USD equivalent per transfer to the INR account that issues the e-FIRC (help article); free e-FIRC (receive pricing page); 18% GST on Wise feesCurrency-dependent fee over mid-market; INR percentage not published1 to 2 days to the Indian banke-FIRC for each transfer within 3 working daysAuthorised PA-CB, inward, 12 March 202645462032

Large production files mean large invoices for some editors, so the per-transaction limits covered below matter as much as the fee.

Which RBI and GST rules apply to freelance video editors?

A freelance video editor exporting services follows the IGST export test, the GST registration threshold, the LUT, the Export Declaration Form (EDF) and the nine-month realisation period, whichever platform the client uses.110471112

RuleBest for (who it applies to)Plain meaningSource
IGST Act, section 2(6)Editors billing YouTubers, agencies or studios abroadWork is an export of services only if all five conditions hold: supplier in India, recipient outside India, place of supply outside India, payment in convertible foreign exchange (or INR where RBI permits), and the two are not establishments of one person.1
IGST Act, section 13(2)Edits delivered online by file transferThe place of supply is the client's location when the supplier or the client is outside India, unless a special rule in sections 13(3) to 13(13) applies.8
CGST Act, section 22; Notification No. 10/2017-Integrated TaxEditors whose yearly turnover is near ₹20 lakhRegistration is needed once aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special category States). Export turnover counts in aggregate turnover.104849
IGST Act, section 16(3); FORM GST RFD-11GST-registered editorsA registered exporter files a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) for each financial year and invoices exports without IGST; the LUT is deemed accepted when the ARN is generated.94750
CGST Rules, rule 46GST-registered editors issuing export invoicesAn export invoice under LUT carries the endorsement "SUPPLY MEANT FOR EXPORT/SUPPLY TO SEZ UNIT OR SEZ DEVELOPER FOR AUTHORISED OPERATIONS UNDER BOND OR LETTER OF UNDERTAKING WITHOUT PAYMENT OF INTEGRATED TAX" and the recipient's name, address and country of destination.51
FEMA (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, regulations 3 and 4Every editor exporting servicesFrom 1 October 2026 every service exporter gives an Export Declaration Form (EDF) to the AD bank within 30 days from the end of the month of invoicing; non-software exporters may instead file on or before the date payment is received.11
2026 Regulations, regulation 5, as amended on 22 September 2026Editors with clients who pay lateExport proceeds are realised within nine months from the invoice date, or twelve months for invoices raised or settled in rupees; the AD bank can extend the period.1211
RBI Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator, paragraph 11(d)Editors paid through Wise, Skydo, Razorpay or another PA-CBEach cross-border payment aggregator (PA-CB) transaction is capped at ₹25 lakh, for inward and outward payments alike.52
Income-tax Act, 2025, sections 58(2) and 62(4)Editors who confirm with a CA that their work is a specified professionA resident individual or partnership firm (not an LLP) in a specified profession may declare 50% of gross receipts as profit, up to ₹50 lakh of receipts (₹75 lakh if cash receipts are within 5%).5354

Does the RBI treat edited video as software for the EDF?

The 2026 Regulations define "software" to include any computer programme, database, drawing, design and audio or video signals in any non-physical medium.11 That matters for video editors because the option to file the EDF on or before the payment date is given to exporters of non-software services.11

  • Ask the bank: Confirm with your AD bank whether it treats your delivered files as software or as audio-visual services.
  • One form a month: Either way, one EDF can cover all services exported to one or more recipients in a month.11

Whether a video editor can use the 50% presumptive scheme is a separate question under sections 58(2) and 62(4).5354 See can a video editor use presumptive tax under section 58.

Which purpose code applies to freelance video editors?

The purpose code that applies to most freelance video editors is P1101, Audio-visual and related services, under the RBI receipt codes from A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 of 29 February 2012.552

CodeBest for (transaction type)Official RBI descriptionSource
P1101Editing, colour grading, sound and post-production on films, series and online videoAudio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services.256
P1103Work for radio or television production and distributionRadio and television production, distribution and transmission services256
P1007Editing done as part of an advertising or brand campaignAdvertising, trade fair service256
P1099Only when no specific code fitsOther services not included elsewhere256

Platforms apply the code differently: PayPal sets a default at setup, and Payoneer applies the profile code to every payment and cannot change it for payments already processed.57586 For channel income rather than client work, see purpose code for YouTube income.

Which option is cheapest at $500, $2,000 and $5,000 for freelance video editors?

The cheapest option for freelance video editors changes with invoice size, because a flat fee weighs more on a small invoice and a percentage fee weighs more on a large one.2627222324 The table below works out the INR received from each provider's published fees at today's exchange rate.

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%
PayoneerLocal bank transfer to Payoneer receiving account detailsMarketplace payouts such as Amazon or Upwork₹1,80,947 to ₹1,86,601₹4,52,367 to ₹4,66,503₹9,04,734 to ₹9,33,0071.00 to 4.00%
PayPalInternational 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%

Not estimated because pricing for USD is not fully published: Wise.

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 $2,000 invoice Skydo's USD 19 fee is 0.95% of the invoice before GST, and Razorpay's MoneySaver fee is 1% before GST.2627222324 PayPal's 4.40% plus USD 0.30 is 4.415% of the same invoice, and converting the rest at 3.0% to 4.00% above the base rate brings the total to about 7.28% to 8.24%.1817 On a $500 invoice, the same USD 19 Skydo fee is 3.8% before GST.2627

  • Large invoices: A single PA-CB payment cannot exceed ₹25 lakh, so check how a provider handles a bigger invoice before you send it.52
  • PayPal ceiling: PayPal's India user agreement lists an export payment above USD 10,000 per transaction as a restricted activity.1758

The platform cost comparison and the USD to INR rate page let you rerun the numbers for your own invoice.

What documents follow each payment to a freelance video editor?

Each payment to a freelance video editor should be matched by a FIRA or FIRC, an e-BRC where the bank reports the receipt, and the monthly EDF; a registered editor also keeps an LUT and a rule 46 export invoice.5960114751

DocumentBest forWhat it showsWhenSource
FIRA or FIRCMatching each edit or retainer payment to its invoiceProves the foreign payment was credited; rule 89(2)(c) asks for BRC or FIRC details when claiming a GST refund on exported services.For each payment, from the bank or payment provider59
e-BRCShowing the export was realisedElectronic Bank Realisation Certificate the exporter self-generates on the DGFT portal from the bank's inward remittance message (IRM).After the bank reports the receipt6061
Export Declaration Form (EDF)Every editor from 1 October 2026Declares the month's service exports to the AD bank; one EDF can cover all exports to one or more recipients in a month.Within 30 days from the end of the invoice month, or by the payment date for non-software services11
Letter of Undertaking (LUT)GST-registered editorsLets a registered exporter invoice without IGST.Once for each financial year, in FORM GST RFD-114750
Export invoiceGST-registered editorsCarries the rule 46 export endorsement and the recipient's name, address and country of destination.With each invoice51

What each platform gives:

  • Razorpay: Razorpay emails a Foreign Inward Remittance Statement (FIRS) within 24 hours after settlement for bank transfers.133123
  • Karbon Business: Karbon says it provides a FIRA for every transaction, issued by its licensed banking partner.14
  • Skydo: Skydo says it issues a free FIRA on every payment received.3639
  • Payoneer: Payoneer gives a free digital FIRA for each transaction within 24 to 72 hours, showing the purpose code you set in your profile.67
  • PayPal: PayPal offers a free weekly digital FIRA from February 2026, with custom FIRAs charged per request.3
  • Wise: Wise emails an e-FIRC for each transfer within 3 working days.45

See FIRA for freelancers for which document banks and GST officers ask for.

What changes in 2026 for freelance video editors?

The 2026 changes that reach freelance video editors are the new FEMA export regulations from 1 October 2026, the EDF for every service exporter, the nine-month realisation period and the Income-tax Act, 2025.111262

  • New FEMA regulations: The Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 came into force on 1 October 2026 and replaced the 2015 regulations.11
  • EDF for every service exporter: From 1 October 2026 every exporter of services, not only software exporters, files an EDF with the AD bank.11
  • Realisation back to nine months: The period moved to 15 months from 14 November 2025, returned to nine months from 5 June 2026, and stays at nine months from the invoice date under the amended 2026 Regulations.636412
  • Income-tax Act, 2025: The new Act applies from 1 April 2026, and "tax year" replaces previous year and assessment year, so tax year 2026-27 runs from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.62
  • Return due date: The due date for non-audit business and profession cases moved to 31 August.65
  • PA-CB authorisations: RBI's list dated 16 October 2026 shows Skydo authorised on 8 January 2026 and Wise on 12 March 2026, while Payoneer received in-principle authorisation on 22 January 2026.32374414243356
  • PayPal FIRA: PayPal moved to a free weekly digital FIRA from February 2026.3
  • GST Council recommendation: The 57th GST Council meeting on 8 October 2026 recommended omitting condition (v) of section 2(6) of the IGST Act; this needs a law change and is not in force.66

For the filing steps, see EDF for service exporters.

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: IGST Act, 2017, section 2(6) (export of services) and Explanation 1 to section 8
  2. [2]HDFC Bank: Inward Remittance Purpose Codes (bank reproduction of the RBI list, checked 2026-10-28)
  3. [3]PayPal India, Foreign Inward Remittance Advise (FIRA) (checked 2026-10-28)
  4. [4]Wise Help Centre, Receiving payments for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  5. [5]Wise India, Fees for getting paid (Wise Business receive pricing) (checked 2026-10-28)
  6. [6]Payoneer Help Center, Digital FIRA FAQ (checked 2026-10-28)
  7. [7]Payoneer India, Digital FIRC page (checked 2026-10-28)
  8. [8]CBIC: IGST Act, 2017, section 13 (place of supply where supplier or recipient is outside India)
  9. [9]CBIC: IGST Act, 2017, section 16 (zero-rated supply, supply under bond or LUT)
  10. [10]CBIC: CGST Act, 2017, section 22 (persons liable for registration) (checked 2026-10-31)
  11. [11]RBI: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB, amended up to 22 September 2026, regulations 2, 3, 4, 13 and 18 (checked 2026-10-31)
  12. [12]RBI: Notification FEMA 23(R)/(1)/2026-RB dated 22 September 2026, amending regulation 5 (realisation period)
  13. [13]Razorpay Docs, International Bank Transfer (MoneySaver Export Account) (checked 2026-10-28)
  14. [14]Karbon Business, Karbon for Freelancers (checked 2026-10-28)
  15. [15]Skydo FAQs, What countries can I get paid locally through Skydo? (checked 2026-10-28)
  16. [16]Payoneer, How to use Payoneer in India (last modified 18 September 2026, checked 2026-10-28)
  17. [17]PayPal India, User Agreement for PayPal Services (last updated 13 January 2025) (checked 2026-10-28)
  18. [18]PayPal India, PayPal Merchant Fees (page last updated 28 March 2024) (checked 2026-10-28)
  19. [19]PayPal India Help, Can I use PayPal to receive payments from Indian customers? (checked 2026-10-28)
  20. [20]Wise India, Receive international payments (checked 2026-10-28)
  21. [21]Payoneer India, Payoneer Fees (checked 2026-10-28)
  22. [22]Razorpay, Multi-Currency Account for International Bank Transfers (MoneySaver Export Account pricing) (checked 2026-10-28)
  23. [23]Razorpay, Pricing, International Payments and International Bank Transfers tabs (checked 2026-10-28)
  24. [24]Razorpay, Accept International Payments (checked 2026-10-28)
  25. [25]Karbon Business, PayPal Alternative comparison page (checked 2026-10-28)
  26. [26]Skydo FAQs, How much does Skydo charge? (checked 2026-10-28)
  27. [27]Skydo, home page fee table (checked 2026-10-28)
  28. [28]Razorpay Docs, Currency Conversion (checked 2026-10-28)
  29. [29]Razorpay Docs, Flash Links (ACH Debit) (checked 2026-10-28)
  30. [30]Razorpay Docs, International Payments FAQs (checked 2026-10-28)
  31. [31]Razorpay Docs, FIRS Automated Process (checked 2026-10-28)
  32. [32]RBI: Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, Payment Aggregators list (dated 16 October 2026)
  33. [33]Karbon, Karbon FX Remittances, home page (checked 2026-10-28)
  34. [34]Karbon Forex Terms and Conditions, Interropac Private Limited (checked 2026-10-28)
  35. [35]RBI: Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, Payment Aggregators (PA-O, PA-P and PA-CB), list dated 16 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  36. [36]Skydo, Receive international payments as a freelancer in India (product page) (checked 2026-10-28)
  37. [37]Skydo, Terms of Use, last updated 9 April 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  38. [38]Skydo FAQs, How long does settlement take on InstaLinks? (checked 2026-10-28)
  39. [39]Skydo FAQs, What is accepted for GST filings and banks between FIRA and FIRC? (checked 2026-10-28)
  40. [40]Payoneer India, Multi-currency account page and FAQs (checked 2026-10-28)
  41. [41]Payoneer India, Payoneer's multi-jurisdictional licenses (checked 2026-10-28)
  42. [42]Payoneer press release, Payoneer receives in-principle authorization as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator in India, 22 January 2026
  43. [43]RBI, Status of applications received under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16.10.2026, Table E (checked 2026-10-28)
  44. [44]PayPal India Help, How do I transfer funds to my bank account? (checked 2026-10-28)
  45. [45]RBI, Status of Applications received under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16.10.2026, Table D (checked 2026-10-28)
  46. [46]Wise India site, Wise Business pricing, fees at a glance (checked 2026-10-28)
  47. [47]GST portal user guide: Furnishing of Letter of Undertaking (FORM GST RFD-11)
  48. [48]Notification No. 10/2017-Integrated Tax (exemption from registration for inter-State suppliers of taxable services), GSTZen reproduction
  49. [49]CBIC: CGST Act, 2017 (updated to 31 August 2021), section 2(6), aggregate turnover includes exports
  50. [50]CBIC Circular No. 40/14/2018-GST (LUT deemed accepted on generation of ARN)
  51. [51]CBIC: CGST Rules, 2017, rule 46 (tax invoice, export endorsement)
  52. [52]RBI: Master Direction on Regulation of Payment Aggregator dated 15 September 2025, paragraph 11(d) (transaction limit) and 11(h) (documents to the AD bank)
  53. [53]Income Tax Department: Income-tax Act, 2025, section 58 (presumptive taxation)
  54. [54]Income Tax Department: Income-tax Act, 2025, section 62 (specified profession, sub-section (4))
  55. [55]RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated 29 February 2012, reporting under FETERS (revised purpose codes)
  56. [56]DGFT: Purpose Code and SAC Code Mapping, Version 1.0, 10 November 2023 (reproduces RBI receipt code descriptions)
  57. [57]PayPal India Help, What is the Purpose Code? (checked 2026-10-28)
  58. [58]PayPal India Help, How do I receive payments through PayPal? (checked 2026-10-28)
  59. [59]CBIC: CGST Rules, 2017, rule 89(2)(c) (BRC or FIRC statement for refunds on export of services) (checked 2026-10-31)
  60. [60]DGFT: eBRC system, self-certification of eBRC from bank inward remittance messages (IRMs), Trade Notice 33/2023-24 dated 10 November 2023
  61. [61]DGFT: FAQs on Self-Certification of eBRC, March 2024
  62. [62]PIB: Income-tax Act, 2025 comes into force from 1 April 2026
  63. [63]RBI: Notification FEMA 23(R)/(7)/2025-RB dated 13 November 2025 (realisation period of 15 months)
  64. [64]RBI: Notification FEMA 23(R)/(8)/2026-RB (realisation period back to nine months from 5 June 2026)
  65. [65]CBDT: FAQs on Budget 2026 (return due date of 31 August for non-audit business and profession cases)
  66. [66]GST Council: press release on the 57th GST Council meeting, 8 October 2026
  67. [67]CBIC: CGST Rules, 2017, rule 96A(1)(b) as substituted by Notification No. 12/2024-Central Tax, 10 July 2024
  68. [68]Payoneer, How to receive international payments in India (last modified 31 August 2026, checked 2026-10-28)

Frequently asked questions

Do I charge GST to a US YouTuber for video editing?+

A video editor in India does not charge GST to a US YouTuber when the work meets all five export conditions in section 2(6) of the IGST Act, including payment in convertible foreign exchange. A registered editor invoices under an LUT without IGST; an editor below the ₹20 lakh threshold need not register.14710

Which purpose code should a video editor pick in PayPal or Payoneer?+

Most video editors pick P1101, Audio-visual and related services, in PayPal or Payoneer, and P1007 fits editing done for an advertising campaign. PayPal sets one default code at setup, and Payoneer applies the code in your profile to every payment and prints it on each FIRA.257586

Is video editing software under the new RBI export rules?+

The 2026 FEMA export regulations define software to include audio or video signals and designs in any non-physical medium. That definition can affect which authority receives your EDF and whether you can file it on the payment date, so ask your AD bank how it classifies edited video files you deliver online.11

Can a video editor get paid by a client in Dubai through Wise?+

A video editor can be paid through Wise when the Dubai client pays to the editor's Wise Business account details by local transfer, wire or SWIFT. Wise converts each payment to INR and sends it to the Indian bank, with a minimum of 5 USD and a maximum of ₹25 lakh per transaction.42052

How long does PayPal take to send money to my Indian bank account?+

PayPal transfers the balance automatically every day to the linked Indian bank account and asks users to allow up to 5 business days for funds to show, depending on the bank's clearing process. A failed withdrawal because of incorrect bank details carries a bank return fee.4418

What if my client pays a video invoice 10 months later?+

An invoice paid 10 months later is past the nine-month realisation period under regulation 5 of the 2026 FEMA regulations, unless your AD bank extended it. Ask the bank for an extension before the deadline. Under an LUT, rule 96A charges IGST with interest only after one year or the FEMA period, whichever is later.121167

Does Payoneer give a video editor a FIRA for each client payment?+

Payoneer gives a free digital FIRA PDF for each transaction, issued by its partner AD bank within 24 to 72 hours, and in the company's name if the account is registered as a company. The e-FIRA or IRM in EDPMS comes from your own bank, which may ask for the FIRA plus export documents.676840

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

Profession

How should a video editor in India receive payments from foreign clients?

How Indian video editors get paid by foreign clients: export of services rules, RBI purpose code, payment options and fee types, GST LUT and income tax.

Purpose codes

Which purpose code applies to YouTube AdSense income received in India?

Google does not name a purpose code for YouTube payouts. The candidate RBI codes for creators (P1101, P1104, P0902, P1099) and what to ask your bank.

RBI and FEMA

How should a freelancer get and use a FIRA?

A freelancer's guide to FIRA in 2026: how to get one from your bank, PayPal or a payment aggregator, what to check on it, how to fix errors and when you need it.

GST

Do freelancers with foreign clients need GST registration?

An individual freelancer billing foreign clients must register for GST only above ₹20 lakh aggregate turnover. How to count it, and when registering early makes sense.

RBI and FEMA

What is the EDF and how do service exporters file it from October 2026?

From 1 October 2026 every Indian service exporter files an Export Declaration Form (EDF). Who files, the 30-day deadline, where it goes and examples by profession.