Tool

Which RBI purpose code fits the service you export?

Author:: Editorial team, serviceexportguide.com
Verified by:: Editorial team
Published: 28 October 2026
Last modified: 30 October 2026
Reading time: 4 min read

Common codes for service exporters. Search to see all 103.

Software consultancy/implementation (other than those covered in SOFTEX form)
Often used for: Web, app and software development, SaaS implementation, IT consulting
Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services · About P0802
Data base, data processing charges
Often used for: Data entry, data processing, database work
Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services · About P0803
Repair and maintenance of computer and software
Often used for: IT support, software maintenance
Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services · About P0804
Off-site Software Exports
Often used for: Software products and licences delivered remotely (some banks use this for software exports)
Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services · About P0807
Legal services
Often used for: Legal advice, drafting, contract review
Other Business Services · About P1004
Accounting, auditing, book keeping services
Often used for: Bookkeeping, accounting, audit support
Other Business Services · About P1005
Business and management consultancy and public relations services
Often used for: Strategy, management, HR consulting, PR
Other Business Services · About P1006
Advertising, trade fair service
Often used for: Digital marketing, ads, social media, brand and advertising design or copy
Other Business Services · About P1007
Research & Development services
Often used for: Product R&D, scientific research
Other Business Services · About P1008
Architectural services
Often used for: Architectural drawings, design development
Other Business Services · About P1009
Engineering Services
Often used for: CAD, engineering design and drawings
Other Business Services
Tax consulting services
Often used for: Tax advisory for foreign clients
Other Business Services
Market research and public opinion polling service
Often used for: Market research, surveys
Other Business Services
Publishing and printing services
Often used for: Publishing work, editorial services for publications
Other Business Services
Other services not included elsewhere
Often used for: Design or writing that is not advertising, other services with no specific code
Other Business Services
Audio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services.
Often used for: Video editing, animation, film and video production
Personal, Cultural & Recreational services · About P1101
Radio and television production, distribution and transmission services
Often used for: Podcast and radio production
Personal, Cultural & Recreational services
Educational services (e.g. fees received for correspondence courses offered to non-resident by Indian institutions)
Often used for: Courses and education services for non-residents
Personal, Cultural & Recreational services

Descriptions are RBI's wording for receipt purpose codes (A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84, 2012), as reproduced by banks and DGFT. Always confirm the final code with your bank or payment provider.

Short answer

Banks and payment platforms ask for an RBI purpose code on every inward remittance.¹ Most service exporters use a code in group P08 (computer and information services) or P10 (other business services).¹² The code flows into your FIRA and the data DGFT uses for e-BRCs.³ The finder matches your work to the closest code; confirm it with your bank.

What you enter	What the finder shows	Data used
Nothing	Common purpose codes for service exporters, with examples of work²	RBI purpose codes, A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 of 2012¹
A word for your work, such as video, SEO or bookkeeping	Every matching RBI service receipt code, with its RBI description and group¹²	RBI list as reproduced by HDFC Bank²
A click on a code	The code copied to your clipboard, and a link to its explainer page where one exists	Not applicable

Every payment from a foreign client carries an RBI purpose code that says what the money is for. Banks and payment platforms ask for it on every inward remittance, and the Purpose Code Finder helps you pick the right one for your service.¹

What does the Purpose Code Finder show?

The Purpose Code Finder shows the RBI purpose codes for service receipts that match the work you type, each with RBI's description and group.¹²

What you do	What the finder shows
Open the page	Common codes for service exporters, each with examples of work it is often used for
Type a word, such as video or bookkeeping	Every RBI service receipt code whose code, description, group or examples contain that word
Click a code	The code copied to your clipboard
Click "About" on a code	The explainer page for that code, where one exists

The finder covers codes for receiving payment for services, taken from RBI Circular No. 84 of 2012.¹

How does the Purpose Code Finder match your work to a code?

The Purpose Code Finder searches the text of each code, its RBI description, its group name and this site's examples of work, and shows every code that contains your word.¹² It does not rank or score matches.

No search: the finder shows a short list of codes common among service exporters.
Search: the finder shows every matching code, with a count of how many matched.
No match: the finder suggests a broader word, or asking your bank which code fits.

For example, say a video editor types "video". The finder shows P1101, which RBI describes as "Audio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services", with video editing, animation and film production as examples.²

How do you use the Purpose Code Finder?

You use the Purpose Code Finder by searching for your kind of work and copying the code that fits.

Type the kind of work you invoice, such as "video", "SEO", "bookkeeping" or "software".
Read the RBI description next to each code, not just the example.
Click the code to copy it, then give it to your bank or select it on your payment platform.
Confirm the final code with your bank or payment provider.

The examples are a guide to the closest fit, and the bank makes the final call.

What does a Purpose Code Finder result mean?

A Purpose Code Finder result is the RBI code whose description best matches the service on your invoice.¹² The code flows into your FIRA and into the data DGFT uses for e-BRCs,³ so choosing the right one keeps your export paperwork consistent.

Specific match: a code whose RBI description names your service, such as P1005 for accounting, auditing and book keeping services.²
Broader match: design and writing have no dedicated code, so advertising-related work usually fits P1007, publishing work P1017, and anything else P1099.²
Software: RBI's description of P0802 refers to SOFTEX, which was replaced by the Export Declaration Form (EDF) from 1 October 2026, so confirm with your bank whether it expects P0802 or P0807.²⁴

If two codes seem to fit, choose the one that describes what the client is paying for.

What does the Purpose Code Finder assume, and what does it not cover?

The Purpose Code Finder assumes you are receiving payment for services exported from India.¹

Rates used: none. The finder matches text only.
Taxes included: none. The finder does not work out GST or income tax on the payment.
Not covered: advance receipts, goods exports, personal transfers and investment flows.

For the full reasoning behind each mapping, read which purpose code a service exporter should use.

What do people get wrong when choosing a purpose code?

The most common mistakes when choosing a purpose code are reading only the example of work, and assuming one code covers every invoice.²

Example read without the description: the RBI description is the official wording for each code, so read it in full.²
One code for everything: a freelancer selling different services may need a different code for each.²
P1099 chosen too early: P1099 is for other services not included elsewhere, so use a specific code where one fits.²
Wrong code left uncorrected: ask the bank that received the money to amend it; DGFT's eBRC FAQs say changes are requested through the bank.³

Checking the description before the first payment avoids most corrections.

Which rules should you know about RBI purpose codes for services?

The rules to know about RBI purpose codes for services come from RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 of 2012, which sets the codes, and DGFT's eBRC FAQs, which explain corrections.¹³

Code	RBI description	Best for
P0802	Software consultancy/implementation (other than those covered in SOFTEX form)²	Software development and IT consulting
P0807	Off-site Software Exports²	Software products and licences delivered remotely
P1006	Business and management consultancy and public relations services²	Strategy, management, HR consulting and PR
P1007	Advertising, trade fair service²	Digital marketing and advertising design or copy
P1101	Audio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services²	Video editing, animation and film production
P1099	Other services not included elsewhere²	Services with no specific code

Each code with an explainer page links to it from the finder.

How did we verify this?

We checked this page against the sources below on 30 October 2026. Read our methodology or report an error.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a single RBI purpose code for freelancers?+

No. A freelancer chooses the purpose code for the service on the invoice, for example P0802 for software development, P1101 for video editing or P1007 for advertising work.² A freelancer who sells two kinds of work can need two codes, so pick the code per payment based on what that invoice covers.

What if a service is not in the RBI purpose code list?+

Use the closest specific code for the service. If nothing fits, the RBI list has P1099 for other services not included elsewhere, but ask your bank first.² Search the Purpose Code Finder with a few different words for your work before settling on P1099, because many services sit under broader descriptions.

Can an exporter change a purpose code after the money arrives?+

Yes. Ask the bank that received the money, or the payment platform's partner bank, to amend it, with your invoice and contract as support. DGFT's eBRC FAQs say purpose code changes are requested through the bank.³ Ask soon after the payment, so your FIRA and e-BRC data match the service.

Should a software exporter use P0802 or P0807?+

RBI's description of P0802 refers to SOFTEX, which was replaced by the Export Declaration Form (EDF) from 1 October 2026.²⁴ P0807 covers off-site software exports.² Confirm with your bank whether it expects P0802 or P0807 for your software work before the first payment arrives.

Which purpose code fits graphic design or writing work?+

Design and writing have no dedicated RBI purpose code. Advertising-related work usually fits P1007, publishing work P1017, and anything else P1099 for other services not included elsewhere.² Search the Purpose Code Finder for the purpose of the work, such as advertising, and confirm the choice with your bank.

Where do the Purpose Code Finder's descriptions come from?+

The descriptions are RBI's wording for receipt purpose codes from A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 of 2012, as reproduced by banks and DGFT.¹² The examples of work next to common codes are this site's guide to the closest fit, and your bank makes the final call on the code.

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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