Purpose Codes in India
Receive global payments through local collection accounts with transparent FX rates, faster settlements, and fully RBI-compliant FIRA issuance.
Or Choose the category to quickly find the help you need
Investment & Capital Transfers
Exports & Manufacturing
IT, Software & Telecommunications
Professional & Consultancy Services
Travel, Tourism & Transport
Insurance & Financial Services
Personal, Education & Transfers
Investment Income & Other
Investment & Capital Transfers
Exports & Manufacturing
IT, Software & Telecommunications
Professional & Consultancy Services
Travel, Tourism & Transport
Insurance & Financial Services
Personal, Education & Transfers
Investment Income & Other
Investment & Capital Transfers
Exports & Manufacturing
IT, Software & Telecommunications
Professional & Consultancy Services
Travel, Tourism & Transport
Insurance & Financial Services
Personal, Education & Transfers
Investment Income & Other
Purpose Codes in India
Receive global payments through local collection accounts with transparent FX rates and RBI-compliant FIRA.
Or Choose the category to quickly find the help you need
Investment & Capital Transfers
Exports & Manufacturing
IT, Software & Telecommunications
Professional & Consultancy Services
Travel, Tourism & Transport
Insurance & Financial Services
Personal, Education & Transfers
Investment Income & Other
Investment & Capital Transfers
Exports & Manufacturing
IT, Software & Telecommunications
Professional & Consultancy Services
Travel, Tourism & Transport
Insurance & Financial Services
Personal, Education & Transfers
Investment Income & Other
Investment & Capital Transfers
Exports & Manufacturing
IT, Software & Telecommunications
Professional & Consultancy Services
Travel, Tourism & Transport
Insurance & Financial Services
Personal, Education & Transfers
Investment Income & Other
What is a
Purpose Code?
A purpose code tells the banks and regulators why money is being sent or received internationally. In India, the RBI requires every cross-border transaction to be reported using a purpose code.
Each purpose code is a 5-character alphanumeric code (one letter and four digits) that signifies the reason for the transaction. Before sending or receiving money from abroad, individuals and businesses must choose the correct purpose code and share it with their bank.
What is a
Purpose Code?
Purpose Code?
A purpose code tells the banks and regulators why money is being sent or received internationally. In India, the RBI requires every cross-border transaction to be reported using a purpose code.
Each purpose code is a 5-character alphanumeric code (one letter and four digits) that signifies the reason for the transaction. Before sending or receiving money from abroad, individuals and businesses must choose the correct purpose code and share it with their bank.
Types of
Purpose Codes
The RBI groups Purpose Codes into two main types based on the direction of the transaction:
01
Purpose Codes for inward remittances: These are used when you receive money from abroad, such as payments for exports or services. Inward Purpose Codes always start with the letter “P”. For example, P0801 is used when receiving payments for hardware consultancy services.
02
Purpose Codes for outward remittances: These are used when you send money outside India. Outward Purpose Codes always start with the letter “S”. For example, S0013 is used for repayment of short-term loans taken from non-residents.
Types of
Purpose Codes
Purpose Codes
The RBI groups Purpose Codes into two main types based on the direction of the transaction:
01
Purpose Codes for inward remittances: These are used when you receive money from abroad, such as payments for exports or services. Inward Purpose Codes always start with the letter “P”. For example, P0801 is used when receiving payments for hardware consultancy services.
02
Purpose Codes for outward remittances: These are used when you send money outside India. Outward Purpose Codes always start with the letter “S”. For example, S0013 is used for repayment of short-term loans taken from non-residents.
Investment & Capital Transfers
P0001
Return of Indian investment abroad in equity (shares)
P0002
Return of Indian investment abroad in debt securities
P0003
Return of Indian investment abroad in branches
P0004
Return of Indian investment abroad in subsidiaries
P0005
Return of Indian investment abroad in real estate
P0011
Repayment of loans extended to Non-Residents
P0013
Loans from non-residents to India
P0014
Non-resident deposit receipts (FCNRB/NRERA etc.)
P0015
Bank loans & overdrafts
P0016
Purchase of foreign currency
P0017
Sale of intangible assets by Indian companies
P0018
Other capital receipts
P0006
Foreign investment in India in equity
P0007
Foreign investment in India in debt
P0008
Foreign investment in India in real estate
P0009
Foreign portfolio investment in India in equity (shares)
P0012
Repayment of loans to non-residents
Exports & Manufacturing
P0101
Export bills negotiated/purchased/discounted
P0102
Realisation of export bills (goods)
P0103
Advance against export of Goods and Services other than transactions initiated from Nepal and Bhutan
P0104
Receipts for exports not covered by shipping bill
P0105
Export bills (goods) sent on collection
P0106
Conversion of overdue export bills
P0107
Realisation of overdue export bills
P1002
Trade related services commission on exports imports
P1099
(Other services not included elsewhere) for export of services
P1701
Receipts on account of processing of goods
IT, Software & Telecommunications
P0801
Hardware consultancy implementation
P0802
Software Consultancy Services, Implementation
P0803
Data base, data processing charges
P0804
Repair and maintenance of computer and software
P0805
News agency services
P0806
Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.
P0807
Off site Software Exports
P0808
Telecommunication services including electronic mail services and voice mail services
P0401
Postal services
P0402
Courier Services (Inward)
P0403
Telecommunication Services (Inward)
P0404
Satellite Services (Inward)
Professional & Consultancy Services
P1001
Merchanting Services – net receipts
P1003
Operational leasing services (without operating crew)
P1004
Legal services
P1005
Accounting, auditing, book keeping services
P1006
Business and management consultancy and public relations services
P1007
Advertising trade fair service
P1008
Research and Development services
P1009
Architectural services
P1013
Environmental Services
P1014
Engineering Services
P1015
Tax consulting services
P1016
Market research and public opinion polling service
P1017
Publishing and printing services
P1019
Commission agent services
P1020
Wholesale and retailing trade services
P1010
Agricultural, mining and on-site processing services
P1011
Inward remittance for maintenance of offices in India
P1012
Distribution Services
P0901
Franchises services – patents, copyrights, trade marks, etc.
P0902
Licensing arrangements for produced originals or prototypes
Travel, Tourism & Transport
P0301
Payments for travel
P0302
Payments favouring Travel Agents for services provided by them in India to NRIs and their families
P0304
Business Travel
P0305
Travel for medical treatment including TCs purchased by hospitals
P0306
Other Travel Receipts
P0308
Foreign currency surrendered by Indian tourists
P0201
Surplus freight/passenger fare by Indian shipping companies
P0202
Operating expenses of foreign shipping companies in India
P0205
Operational leasing (with crew) - Shipping companies
P0207
Surplus freight/passenger fare by Indian airlines
P0208
Operating expenses of foreign airlines in India
P0211
Operational leasing (with crew) - Airlines companies
P0213
Other transportation services
Insurance & Financial Services
P0601
Life Insurance premium except term insurance
P0602
Receipts of freight insurance - relating to import and export of goods
P0603
Receipts on account of other general insurance premium
P0605
Receipts on account of Auxiliary services (commission on insurance)
P0607
Insurance Claim Settlement of non-life insurance; and life insurance (only term insurance)
P0608
Life insurance claim settlements (excluding insurance) received by residents in India
P0604
Reinsurance premium receipts
P0606
Settlement of insurance claims
P0701
Financial intermediation service charges
P0702
Investment banking fees
P0703
Financial auxiliary services fees
Personal, Education & Transfers
P1301
Family Maintenance and Savings
P1302
Personal Gifts and Donations
P1303
Donations to Religious and Charitable Institutions in India
P1304
Grants and Donations to Governments and Charitable Institutions
P1306
Receipts / Refund of Taxes
P1401
Compensation of Employees
P1101
Audio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services.
P1102
Personal, cultural services related to museums, libraries, etc.
P1103
Radio and television production, distribution and transmission services
P1104
Entertainment services
P1105
Museums, library and archival services
P1106
Recreation and sporting activity services
P1107
Payment for educational institutes for services provided by them eg. Tuition, Exam fees, boarding etc
P1108
Payment to Medical Institutes for services provided by them to NRIs and their dependents
P1109
Other Personal, Cultural & Recreational services
P1590
Receipts below USD 10,000
Investment Income & Other
P1403
Interest on Loans to Non-Residents
P1404
Interest on Debt Securities
P1405
Interest Receipts of ADs on Own Investments
P1406
Repatriation of Profits to India
P1407
Receipt of dividends by Indians
P1501
Refunds/Rebates on account of imports
P1502
Reversal of wrong entries / Refunds for non-imports
P1503
Remittances by residents under international bidding
P1201
Maintenance of foreign embassies in India
P1203
Maintenance of International Institutions in India
P0501
Construction Services in India (Inward)
P1019
Other services not included elsewhere
Investment & Capital Transfers
P0001
Return of Indian investment abroad in equity (shares)
P0002
Return of Indian investment abroad in debt securities
P0003
Return of Indian investment abroad in branches
P0004
Return of Indian investment abroad in subsidiaries
P0005
Return of Indian investment abroad in real estate
P0011
Repayment of loans extended to Non-Residents
P0013
Loans from non-residents to India
P0014
Non-resident deposit receipts (FCNRB/NRERA etc.)
P0015
Bank loans & overdrafts
P0016
Purchase of foreign currency
P0017
Sale of intangible assets by Indian companies
P0018
Other capital receipts
P0006
Foreign investment in India in equity
P0007
Foreign investment in India in debt
P0008
Foreign investment in India in real estate
P0009
Foreign portfolio investment in India in equity (shares)
P0012
Repayment of loans to non-residents
Exports & Manufacturing
P0101
Export bills negotiated/purchased/discounted
P0102
Realisation of export bills (goods)
P0103
Advance against export of Goods and Services other than transactions initiated from Nepal and Bhutan
P0104
Receipts for exports not covered by shipping bill
P0105
Export bills (goods) sent on collection
P0106
Conversion of overdue export bills
P0107
Realisation of overdue export bills
P1002
Trade related services commission on exports imports
P1099
(Other services not included elsewhere) for export of services
P1701
Receipts on account of processing of goods
IT, Software & Telecommunications
P0801
Hardware consultancy implementation
P0802
Software Consultancy Services, Implementation
P0803
Data base, data processing charges
P0804
Repair and maintenance of computer and software
P0805
News agency services
P0806
Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.
P0807
Off site Software Exports
P0808
Telecommunication services including electronic mail services and voice mail services
P0401
Postal services
P0402
Courier Services (Inward)
P0403
Telecommunication Services (Inward)
P0404
Satellite Services (Inward)
Professional & Consultancy Services
P1001
Merchanting Services – net receipts
P1003
Operational leasing services (without operating crew)
P1004
Legal services
P1005
Accounting, auditing, book keeping services
P1006
Business and management consultancy and public relations services
P1007
Advertising trade fair service
P1008
Research and Development services
P1009
Architectural services
P1013
Environmental Services
P1014
Engineering Services
P1015
Tax consulting services
P1016
Market research and public opinion polling service
P1017
Publishing and printing services
P1019
Commission agent services
P1020
Wholesale and retailing trade services
P1010
Agricultural, mining and on-site processing services
P1011
Inward remittance for maintenance of offices in India
P1012
Distribution Services
P0901
Franchises services – patents, copyrights, trade marks, etc.
P0902
Licensing arrangements for produced originals or prototypes
Travel, Tourism & Transport
P0301
Payments for travel
P0302
Payments favouring Travel Agents for services provided by them in India to NRIs and their families
P0304
Business Travel
P0305
Travel for medical treatment including TCs purchased by hospitals
P0306
Other Travel Receipts
P0308
Foreign currency surrendered by Indian tourists
P0201
Surplus freight/passenger fare by Indian shipping companies
P0202
Operating expenses of foreign shipping companies in India
P0205
Operational leasing (with crew) - Shipping companies
P0207
Surplus freight/passenger fare by Indian airlines
P0208
Operating expenses of foreign airlines in India
P0211
Operational leasing (with crew) - Airlines companies
P0213
Other transportation services
Insurance & Financial Services
P0601
Life Insurance premium except term insurance
P0602
Receipts of freight insurance - relating to import and export of goods
P0603
Receipts on account of other general insurance premium
P0605
Receipts on account of Auxiliary services (commission on insurance)
P0607
Insurance Claim Settlement of non-life insurance; and life insurance (only term insurance)
P0608
Life insurance claim settlements (excluding insurance) received by residents in India
P0604
Reinsurance premium receipts
P0606
Settlement of insurance claims
P0701
Financial intermediation service charges
P0702
Investment banking fees
P0703
Financial auxiliary services fees
Personal, Education & Transfers
P1301
Family Maintenance and Savings
P1302
Personal Gifts and Donations
P1303
Donations to Religious and Charitable Institutions in India
P1304
Grants and Donations to Governments and Charitable Institutions
P1306
Receipts / Refund of Taxes
P1401
Compensation of Employees
P1101
Audio-visual and related services like Motion picture and video tape production, distribution and projection services.
P1102
Personal, cultural services related to museums, libraries, etc.
P1103
Radio and television production, distribution and transmission services
P1104
Entertainment services
P1105
Museums, library and archival services
P1106
Recreation and sporting activity services
P1107
Payment for educational institutes for services provided by them eg. Tuition, Exam fees, boarding etc
P1108
Payment to Medical Institutes for services provided by them to NRIs and their dependents
P1109
Other Personal, Cultural & Recreational services
P1590
Receipts below USD 10,000
Investment Income & Other
P1403
Interest on Loans to Non-Residents
P1404
Interest on Debt Securities
P1405
Interest Receipts of ADs on Own Investments
P1406
Repatriation of Profits to India
P1407
Receipt of dividends by Indians
P1501
Refunds/Rebates on account of imports
P1502
Reversal of wrong entries / Refunds for non-imports
P1503
Remittances by residents under international bidding
P1201
Maintenance of foreign embassies in India
P1203
Maintenance of International Institutions in India
P0501
Construction Services in India (Inward)
P1019
Other services not included elsewhere
Ready to transform your
international payments?
