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How Do You Receive CHF (Swiss franc) Payments in India in 2026?

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Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
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Short answer

You can receive Swiss franc (CHF) payments in India through local CHF account details from a payment platform, a card or payment link, or a SWIFT wire to your Indian bank. Who this is for: Indian freelancers and registered service exporters. Each export needs an EDF and payment within nine months of the invoice.19

MethodAll-in costSpeedFIRA
Local CHF account details from a payment platformNot published in full by any tracked platformVaries by platform; see the platform tableVaries by platform; see the platform table
Card or payment linkFrom about 7.28 to 8.24% (PayPal)12Varies by platformDepends on the platform
SWIFT wire to your Indian bankSet by your bank and any intermediary banks; not comparableDepends on the banks involvedAsk your bank

840 CHF = ₹94,423 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
1WinvestaLowest estimated costGlobal Collections Account, standard plan (up to 2,000 a month per currency)Local transfers with a published per-payment fee₹2,4290%₹91,9932.57%
2PayoneerPayment request paid by credit cardMarketplace payouts such as Amazon or Upwork₹2,784no GST stated1 to 4%₹87,973 to ₹90,7223.92 to 6.83%
3PayPalInternational commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)Clients paying by card or PayPal balance₹4,216no GST stated3 to 4%₹86,598 to ₹87,5007.33 to 8.29%

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.

What are the ways to receive CHF in India?

The ways to receive CHF in India compare as follows. Costs are estimates on published fees for CHF 4,100, about USD 5,000 at the ECB reference rate.20

Local CHF accountCard or payment linkSWIFT wire to your bank
Fees and markupNot published in fullFrom about 7.28 to 8.24%12Set by your bank and intermediaries
SettlementVaries by platform; see the platform tableVaries by platformDepends on the banks involved
FIRAVaries by platform; see the platform tableVaries by platformAsk your bank
Best forRegular invoices from businessesSmall or one-off paymentsLarge payments to an existing bank relationship

Which countries pay in CHF and what rails do they use?

Countries that pay in CHF use these domestic rails. A client enters your local CHF account details from a platform, or your bank's SWIFT code for a wire.

CountryDomestic railWhat the client entersBest for
Switzerlandthe Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC) payment system, for which the Swiss National Bank is system manager and which SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd operates on the SNB's behalf21Local CHF account details, or SWIFT code and account numberClients based in Switzerland

Which platforms are best for receiving CHF in India?

The platforms best for receiving CHF in India are listed by estimated cost on CHF 4,100, cheapest first; platforms without full pricing follow, A to Z.12

PlatformBest forFX markupFeeEstimated cost on CHF 4,100FIRASettlementRBI PA-CB status
PayPalClients paying by card or PayPal balance3Base 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.134.40% 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.17.28 to 8.24%12Free 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 asks users to allow up to 5 business days for funds to show in the bank account, depending on the bank's clearing process.4PayPal'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 2026.356
Cashfree PaymentsRegistered businesses paid by local transfer78Cashfree says Global Collections has no forex markup and that it handles conversion to INR in real time. The exchange rate used and any spread are not published.9107Global Collections: Not published. The pricing page shows 'Request Price' and describes a 'Low, processing fee; no hidden charges'. Cashfree says there is no setup cost.1110Not estimated: pricing not fully publishedCashfree's Global Collections page says an e-FIRA is generated at no extra cost within 1 day. Its documentation says its AD-1 partner bank issues an eFIRS on a T+1 basis, obtained by request through the support form or account manager. For the card gateway, Cashfree mentions monthly FIRC reports and instant FIRS.1091213Global Collections: Not published for the exporter. Cashfree says funds are swept to a NOSTRO account and repatriated to India no later than seven days after credit. International card gateway: T+2 per Cashfree's documentation.1013Cashfree Payments India Private Limited appears on the RBI list of authorised payment system operators as a Payment Aggregator (online and physical) and as PA-CB I & O, which the RBI defines as a Payment Aggregator, Cross Border facilitating inward and outward transactions. Cashfree's own pages also say Global Collections operates under the RBI's OPGSP (Online Payment Gateway Service Provider) guideline.14912
WiseBank transfers to local account details15Mid-market exchange rate plus a conversion fee that Wise says depends on the currency. No percentage is published for conversion to INR; the amount is shown in Wise's calculator.1617Wise's India help article says it charges an equivalent of 2 USD in the received currency for the transfer to the INR bank account that issues the e-FIRC. Wise's India receive pricing page describes a free eFIRC for every transfer. The general Wise Business fee table on Wise's India site lists 6.11 USD per USD wire or Swift payment, 2.16 GBP per GBP Swift payment and 2.39 EUR per EUR Swift payment, with domestic (non-Swift, non-wire) payments free; Wise's India-specific receive pages do not repeat these Swift fees. 18% GST applies to Wise fees.151618Not estimated: pricing not fully publishedAn e-FIRC for each transfer, emailed to the registered address within 3 working days and downloadable from the transfer page. The help article links it to the 2 USD equivalent fee; the pricing page calls it free.1516Wise says the INR payment reaches the Indian bank account within 1 to 2 days and that more than 50% of transfers settle within 2 hours of pay-in. The client's payment takes 0 to 3 working days to reach Wise by local methods and 2 to 6 working days by SWIFT.15RBI's list of authorised payment aggregators dated 16 October 2026 includes Wise Payments India Private Limited as a Payment Aggregator, Cross Border, facilitating inward transactions (PA-CB-I), authorised on 12 March 2026. Wise's India receiving pages do not name the Wise entity that handles inward payments.615

The order comes only from published pricing. Cashfree Payments and Wise do not publish enough to estimate a cost.

What is the real CHF to INR rate you receive?

The real CHF to INR rate you receive is the reference rate less the conversion markup your bank or platform applies. Today's CHF to INR reference rate is derived from European Central Bank data.20

For example, a 2% conversion markup on CHF 4,100 costs CHF 82 before any fee. Your FIRA shows the rate actually used.22

Free floating; the Swiss National Bank reserves the right to intervene. Switzerland has accepted IMF Article VIII obligations and has no restrictions on payments and transfers for current international transactions, apart from security-related restrictions.23

How much INR do you receive on CHF 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000?

The INR you receive depends on the platform. The table uses amounts scaled to CHF and works out the rupees from published pricing at today's rate.

PlatformBest forINR on CHF 1,700INR on CHF 4,200INR on CHF 8,400Cost on CHF 4,200
PayPalMost INRInternational commercial transaction received into a PayPal account (PayPal checkout or invoice)Clients paying by card or PayPal balance₹1,75,319 to ₹1,77,145₹4,33,229 to ₹4,37,741₹8,66,517 to ₹8,75,5437.28 to 8.24%

Ranked by INR received on CHF 4,200. 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.

Can you hold CHF in India?

You can hold CHF in India in an Exchange Earner's Foreign Currency (EEFC) account with an Indian bank, which can take up to 100% of foreign exchange earnings received by inward remittance. The month's accruals must be converted to rupees by the last day of the following month, after approved uses.24 Most payment platforms convert to INR automatically instead. See the EEFC account guide.

When should you convert CHF to INR?

Convert CHF to INR when you need the rupees, within the nine-month realisation period for services.19

  • Spot: convert on receipt at the rate offered that day.
  • Forward contract: fix a rate with your bank for a future date. The RBI permits small exporters to hedge with bank forwards, swaps and purchased European options.25
  • Limit order: some providers convert automatically when a target rate is reached; check whether yours offers this.
  • Natural hedge: if you also pay costs in CHF, an EEFC account lets you use receipts without converting twice.24

What documents and compliance apply to CHF receipts?

CHF receipts follow the same Indian rules as any export of services.

  • FIRA and purpose code: keep the FIRA or bank advice for each receipt and check the purpose code.22
  • EDF: from 1 October 2026 you give an Export Declaration Form to your bank, usually within 30 days from the end of the month of invoicing.19
  • SOFTEX: software exporters should check the SOFTEX rules in the EDF guide.
  • GST: an export of services is zero-rated, so a registered supplier with an LUT invoices it without GST.2627

For tax treaties and withholding, see the country guides: Switzerland.

  • The ECB publishes a daily euro reference rate for both CHF and INR, so an CHF/INR cross rate can be derived from the two. The ECB says these rates are for information purposes only.20
  • FBIL does not publish an INR reference rate for CHF. FBIL publishes INR reference rates for USD, GBP, EUR, JPY (per 100 yen), AED and IDR (per 10,000 rupiah); AED and IDR were added from 5 January 2026.28

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]PayPal India Help, How do I transfer funds to my bank account? (checked 2026-10-28)
  5. [5]RBI, Status of Applications received under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, as on 16.10.2026, Table D (checked 2026-10-28)
  6. [6]RBI, Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, 16 October 2026 (checked 2026-10-28)
  7. [7]Cashfree Payments Docs, Global Collections overview (checked 2026-10-28)
  8. [8]Cashfree Payments Docs, Global Collections: Collection Accounts (checked 2026-10-28)
  9. [9]Cashfree Payments, Cross Border Payment solutions: Accept international payments (checked 2026-10-28)
  10. [10]Cashfree Payments, Global Collections: International wire transfer for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  11. [11]Cashfree Payments, Payment Gateway Charges (India), International Cards, Global Collections and Cross Border FAQ (checked 2026-10-28)
  12. [12]Cashfree Payments Docs, Global Collections FAQs (checked 2026-10-28)
  13. [13]Cashfree Payments Docs, International Payment Gateway (IPG) overview (checked 2026-10-28)
  14. [14]RBI, Certificates of Authorisation issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 for setting up and operating payment systems in India, Payment Aggregators table (checked 2026-10-28)
  15. [15]Wise Help Centre, Receiving payments for Indian businesses (checked 2026-10-28)
  16. [16]Wise India, Fees for getting paid (Wise Business receive pricing) (checked 2026-10-28)
  17. [17]Wise India, Receive international payments (checked 2026-10-28)
  18. [18]Wise India site, Wise Business pricing, fees at a glance (checked 2026-10-28)
  19. [19]RBI: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, amended up to 22 September 2026 (regulations 3, 4 and 5)
  20. [20]European Central Bank: euro foreign exchange reference rates
  21. [21]Swiss National Bank: Payment transactions (SIC system) (checked 2026-10-28)
  22. [22]RBI: A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated 29 February 2012, purpose codes for reporting under FETERS
  23. [23]IMF Country Report No. 25/263: Switzerland, 2025 Article IV Consultation, 2025, Informational Annex (Fund Relations), Exchange Rate Arrangement
  24. [24]RBI: Master Direction, Deposits and Accounts (FED Master Direction No. 14/2015-16), updated as on 2 September 2026, paragraphs 3.1 and 5.1
  25. [25]RBI: Master Direction - Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings, FMRD Master Direction No. 1/2016-17, updated as on 1 October 2026 (Part A, Section I)
  26. [26]IGST Act, 2017, section 16: zero-rated supply (CBIC)
  27. [27]GST Portal user guide: Furnishing of Letter of Undertaking (FORM GST RFD-11)
  28. [28]Financial Benchmarks India (FBIL): Newsletter Issue 89, July 2026, FBIL Reference Rate table and notes
  29. [29]IGST Act, 2017, section 2(6): definition of export of services (CBIC)

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to receive CHF in India?+

No tracked platform publishes full pricing for receiving CHF, so there is no cheapest route on published fees. Ask for written quotes and compare the rate on your FIRA with the reference rate after the first payment.

Can I invoice a foreign client in CHF?+

Yes. Export invoices can be raised in a foreign currency such as CHF, and payment in convertible foreign exchange is one of the five conditions for an export of services under section 2(6) of the IGST Act.29

How long does a CHF client have to pay?+

Payment for an export of services invoiced in CHF must be realised within nine months of the invoice date for invoices from 1 October 2026, unless the RBI or your bank extends the period.19

Is the CHF reference rate what I will receive?+

No. The CHF reference rate is a benchmark for information. Banks and platforms convert at their own rate and may charge fees, so compare the rate on your FIRA with the reference rate for that day.20

Do I need a FIRA for every CHF payment?+

Keep a FIRA or bank advice for every CHF receipt. It records the purpose code and the rate used, and it supports your GST refund claims and your income tax records.22

Can I keep CHF in an Indian bank account?+

Yes, in an EEFC account, which can hold up to 100% of foreign exchange earnings received by inward remittance. The month's accruals must be converted to rupees by the last day of the following month, after approved uses.24

Do clients paying in CHF need my SWIFT code?+

Only for an international wire. If your client pays into local CHF account details from a payment platform, the client uses those local details instead. For a wire, the client needs your bank's SWIFT code and account number.

Does receiving CHF change my GST or RBI obligations?+

No. The export conditions, the LUT, the Export Declaration Form and the nine-month realisation period apply whichever currency you invoice in.2919

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.

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