An Overview on Online Payment Gateway Service Provider (OPGSP)

Evolution of OPGSPs and Regulatory Framework

In 2010, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) noticed the surge in e-commerce transactions and decided it was time to lay down some rules. They introduced a set of regulations titled "Processing and Settlement of Export Related Receipts Facilitated by Online Payment Gateways." In simpler terms, these rules empowered specific banks to team up with OPGSPs and streamline the process of repatriation of export-related earnings.

Later, in 2015, the RBI allowed for the processing and settlement of import and export-related payments facilitated by online payment gateway service providers, wherein "it has been decided to permit AD Category-l banks to offer similar facilities of payment for imports by entering into standing agreements with the OPGSPs." This move broadened the scope of regulatory coverage. 

Challenges with OPGSPs

In the OPGSP framework, AD Category-I banks serve as intermediaries between the OPGSPs and the RBI, exercising quasi-regulatory control over the operations. However, despite these efforts, challenges persist, hindering smooth cross-border transactions, particularly in emerging business scenarios.

One significant hurdle is the management of risks associated with returns and chargebacks. Many banks remain hesitant to fully embrace the OPGSP framework due to these unresolved challenges.

Consequently, most Indian tech export companies were forced to rely on one of the three options -

The latter seems like a very attractive option while also providing ancillary benefits such as an international presence for the business.

The Present OPGSP Landscape

Currently, the OPGSP facility serves as the primary payment method for more than 300,000 Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME) exporters throughout India. Despite recent geopolitical tensions in Europe and a global economic recession, the nation has emerged as a leader in small-value online service exports, aided by the widespread availability of the internet and smartphones even in remote areas.

Introducing OEIF: Potential Reconfiguration

In early 2023, RBI released draft guidelines on the Online Export-Import Facilitators (OEIF), proposing an evolution beyond the OPGSP framework. OEIFs, defined as payment aggregators enabling low-value export and import remittances, might replace the existing system. 

While several parts of this draft are quite progressive and well-received by the payments industry, some aspects are not fully clear and some aspects seem to take a conservative view. 

Two major changes that are quite positive and will make OPGSPs more useful to exporters are as follows.

However, the RBI aimed to further simplify the OPGSP regime for small digital payments linked to import/export transactions through e-commerce and protect the interests of Indian stakeholders. Yet, some rules under the Draft Guidelines put more burden on the OEIF entities than the previous OPGSP regime. Such as, 

These steps could increase some indirect compliances that apply to PA firms and present practical difficulties for the OEIF entities concerning implementing the guidelines. 

Moreover, the RBI has not provided a clear definition of "digital products". This leads to ambiguity regarding what falls under the category of "digital products". For instance, it is unclear whether software, services, non-fungible tokens and cryptocurrency products can be considered digital products. 

Additionally, the term "export of services" has been removed from the scope of the proposed legislation, which is the most significant modification. Previously able to provide channels for both commodities and services, cross-border payment providers can now only do so for physical goods and digital products.

Impact on Service Exports

India's services sector is a diverse mix of small-value service exporters, including independent contractors, business owners, and experts, as well as high-value IT and BFSI exports. It has witnessed significant growth, driven by a booming gig economy and global market share expansion. Sectors like teaching, consulting, online services, and more contribute to this growth. The nation aims to export $1 trillion by 2027.

However, this latest planned shift could negatively impact 65% of Indian e-commerce, which includes small service exports and foreign exchange earnings totalling INR 15,000 Cr annually. If put into practice, this move might affect more than 3 lakh direct jobs and 10 lakh indirect jobs that small service exporters established.

India continues to make a renewed effort to engage in free trade agreements that drive the export of services and increase the focus on digital collaboration. India aims to export services valued at $350 billion in 2022-2023, a 40% increase over the previous fiscal year. Industry experts seek to reinstate the "export of services" within the proposed regulation.

Looking Ahead

There is some debate surrounding the exclusion of services. While some people believe it was an unintended mistake, others speculate that the RBI may have deliberately excluded payments for services to promote the adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and CBDC in the cross-border payments market. It's an intriguing development that could pave the way for the next wave of innovation in cross-border transactions.

The industry, which had previously struggled under adverse conditions, has now recovered. Final payment guidelines are eagerly awaited, with much at stake for all payers.