Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) is a key term for anyone in India receiving payments from abroad,&nbsp; be it exporters shipping goods overseas or freelancers offering services to international clients. 

FIRC full form is Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, and it serves as an official proof that money has been remitted into India from a foreign sourceskydo.com. In simpler terms, a FIRC is a document issued by an Indian bank to verify and record details of an incoming foreign payment – including the sender, recipient, amount, and purpose of the transactiondbs.com. 

This certificate is crucial in the Indian context as it ensures your foreign earnings are transparent, properly documented, and compliant with regulations. In this guide, we’ll explain what FIRC means, why it’s important, how it works under RBI rules, and how Indian businesses or freelancers can obtain and use FIRC effectively.

FIRC stands for Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate, and as the name suggests, it is a certificate provided by banks in India to verify a foreign currency remittance received in the country. The FIRC contains important information such as the amount received, the foreign sender’s and Indian recipient’s details, and the reason for the payment. Essentially, it’s a tangible proof of an inward remittance – functioning as a testimonial that an individual or business in India has received a payment from abroad.&nbsp;

FIRCs have historically been issued by Authorized Dealer (AD) banks whenever an export payment or any foreign inward payment came in. For example, if an exporter in Mumbai sells goods to a buyer in Europe and receives the payment in USD into her Indian bank account, the bank would issue a FIRC confirming that the foreign payment was received. This document legitimizes the transaction and is often required by various authorities for reference. Only banks licensed as Authorised Dealer Category I by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can issue FIRCs, since they are the ones permitted to handle foreign exchange transactions in India.&nbsp;

It’s important to note that “FIRC” is sometimes used informally to refer to similar documents like Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) or Foreign Inward Remittance Statement (FIRS). We will discuss these terms later, but broadly speaking, all of them serve a similar purpose: proving that a foreign remittance was received. In summary, a FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) is the official proof of foreign money coming into India, making it an indispensable document for cross-border payments.

Whether you are an Indian exporter, a service provider, or a freelancer, obtaining a FIRC (or its equivalent advice) for your foreign earnings is very important. Here are the key reasons why FIRCs matter:

In summary, the FIRC is more than just a piece of paper – it is essential for compliance, for availing financial benefits, and for maintaining clean financial records of foreign income.&nbsp;Especially in India’s tightly regulated foreign exchange environment, this certificate (or its modern digital equivalent) becomes a cornerstone for anyone dealing with international payments.

FIRC in India: RBI Guidelines and the Switch to FIRA

It’s important to understand how FIRCs are handled in India today, because there have been regulatory changes in the past decade. Historically, banks issued a physical FIRC on security paper for every foreign inward remittance received against exports. However, since 2016, the RBI changed the process for most cases. Let’s break down what that means:

In conversations around FIRC, there are a few more terms that get frequently mentioned, one of them being eFIRC. So what exactly is <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/efirc-firc-brc-essentials-differences">eFIRC?</a>

Two acronyms often discussed together are FIRC and BRC. They are related but not the same thing. We’ve explained FIRC (proof of receiving foreign payment). BRC stands for Bank Realisation Certificate. Here’s how they differ and how they work together, especially for exporters:

In summary, BRC is the second step in the documentation chain for exports: first get your FIRC/FIRA (proof of payment), then that leads to a BRC (proof that payment matches an export transaction). Both are important for exporters, but they serve different (complementary) purposes.&nbsp; This decison tree will help you decide if and when will you need FIRC/BRC

This is a sample FIRC document. All crucial remittance details have been masked for security purposes. Now let’s break the content of a FIRC down: 

How to Obtain a FIRC (Procedure to Get the Certificate)

Obtaining a FIRC or the equivalent remittance certificate is not an automatic process in many banks – often, you need to request it. Here’s a step-by-step on how Indian businesses or freelancers can get their FIRC/FIRA from the bank:

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-get-firc-certificate-online">Getting a FIRC</a> might sound like a hassle, but with Skydo, it's a breeze. Our fully automated payment system along with built-in partnerships with banks, ensures effortless compliance with RBI guidelines, without needing any manual intervention.

When you receive an export payment through Skydo, we automatically generate the required FIRC for you at no extra cost. Just log into our user-friendly dashboard, and you'll find your FIRC ready to download, complete with all the details you need. 

Exporting goods and services is considered Zero-Rated Supply, meaning it is subject to 0% GST. However, to claim a GST refund for the input tax credit, exporters must provide the required documents including FIRC. These documents authenticate that the business is claiming a refund because it exported services and couldn't offset its input tax credit as it would in normal domestic business. Without FIRC, claiming a GST refund may not be possible

As we surge in cross-border transactions, ensuring compliance and safeguarding against illicit activities has become a pressing concern. However, at Skydo, we believe your focus should be on advancing your business, not on grappling with compliance challenges.

With Skydo, enjoy seamless international payments, delivered promptly and without any hidden fees. But that's just the beginning! Every time you receive a cross-border payment, an auto-generated FIRC is readily available for you to download, relieving you of compliance burdens so you can devote your energy to what truly matters: driving your business forward.

What is FIRC? Learn the full form, meaning, and how Indian exporters & freelancers can get FIRC or FIRA to claim tax benefits and stay RBI-compliant.

FIRC Full Form, Meaning & Guide for Exporters

Dive into the world of FIRC. Explore the full form, importance, and process of obtaining FIRC for your international transactions

Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC): Full form, meaning and RBI guidelines

Prashanth

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Prashanth Kumar

What is Remitly—and how does USD→INR work?

Your <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-receive-money-from-usa-to-india">US-based clients</a> can use Remitly Business to pay you if they are a US-based business. For USD→INR:

Practical tip: For any payout, compare Remitly’s quoted rate with the mid-market rate (the “Google rate”). The difference indicates your effective FX cost for that transfer.

How much does Remitly charge for USD to INR transfers?

Remitly’s fees appear straightforward at first, but the exchange rate significantly impacts the amount you actually receive.

The mid-market rate (the “Google rate”) is the real USD→INR rate without markup.
Remitly’s offered rate is usually slightly lower. For example, if the mid-market rate is ₹85.00 per USD, Remitly might offer ₹84.50—a ₹0.50 difference applied to every dollar sent. On a $5,000 transfer, that’s about ₹2,500 less received.

Remitly’s markup on USD→INR transfers generally falls between 0.4% and 1.4%, depending on the amount, market movement, and transfer speed.

Even if there’s no visible fee, the markup affects your payout.
Compare Remitly’s quoted rate with the mid-market rate before confirming a transfer; the gap between them is your true FX cost.

Real cost breakdown: what you actually receive

To understand how exchange rates affect your payout, here’s an example using approximate numbers for common transfer amounts.

*Based on a mid-market rate of ₹85.01 per USD, assuming an average forex markup of around 0.9%.
Actual markups can vary,&nbsp; and in some cases, may be higher,&nbsp; depending on transfer size, timing, and exchange-rate movement.

Once transfers exceed $1,000, the flat fee becomes less significant. The exchange rate markup continues to determine how much ultimately reaches your account.
On a $2,000 transfer, that difference translates to roughly ₹900 less received. Multiply that across recurring invoices or multiple clients, and the impact compounds quickly.

💡 Note: Exchange rates fluctuate throughout the day. Always check Remitly’s live USD→INR rate against the mid-market rate (the rate visible on Google or XE.com) to know your exact cost before confirming a transfer.

Remitly Business offers two ways to transfer funds, and your choice affects both how quickly you receive the money and the rate you get.

Typically takes up to 5 business days to reach your Indian bank account, but it usually comes with a more favourable exchange rate. This option works well for planned or recurring business payments where timing is flexible.

Deliver funds faster, often within a few hours or by the next business day. The trade-off is that Express transfers may use a slightly lower exchange rate compared to Economy.

In short, Economy favours value; Express favours speed. Choosing between them depends on whether you prioritise timing or maximising your payout.

Remitly Business deposits funds directly into your Indian bank account. They work with all major banks, including HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis Bank, and others.

Your client initiates the payment on their end through Remitly Business. Once processed, the money appears in your account - no need to visit a branch or collect cash.

Transfer limits and verification requirements

Remitly Business typically allows transfers of up to about $30,000 per transaction from the US to India. For most freelancers, agencies, and small businesses, this covers regular project or retainer-based payments comfortably.

However, this limit can vary. The actual cap depends on your verification tier, the transfer method used (Economy or Express), and Remitly’s risk assessment of your account. It’s always best to check your current limit in the app before your client initiates a large transfer — limits can change as your usage grows.

When you first set up Remitly Business, you’ll complete a basic verification process using your business and tax details. As your transaction volume or frequency increases, Remitly may request additional verification to comply with regulatory standards.

These checks are part of standard KYC (Know Your Customer) and KYB (Know Your Business) processes required for licensed money-transfer providers. They aren’t unique to Remitly; they apply across the financial industry.

If your expected payment exceeds your transfer limit, you have two options:

Keep in mind that splitting payments can lead to additional FX markups being applied to each transfer. For example, two × $20,000 transfers may cost slightly more overall than a single $40,000 payment on a platform with a higher limit.

💡 Tip: If you frequently receive large invoices or recurring international payments, explore solutions that offer higher limits and transparent flat-fee pricing, so your total costs remain predictable.

Compliance: India-specific rules that matter

When receiving international business payments, compliance is as important as speed or cost. For transfers from the US to India, it’s essential to use the correct Remitly service and maintain proper documentation for Indian regulations.

Consumer Remitly is for personal use only

The standard Remitly app operates under the Reserve Bank of India’s <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-lrs">Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS</a>), which is intended solely for personal remittances, for example, family support, gifts, or education expenses.

Using Consumer Remitly to receive business payments or export proceeds isn’t permitted. It falls outside LRS guidelines and also violates Remitly’s own user terms, which prohibit commercial transactions such as freelance payments, service exports, or product sales.

For legitimate business transactions, the sender (your US client) should use Remitly Business. It’s designed for US-registered companies, LLCs, corporations, or sole proprietors paying overseas vendors, contractors, or service providers.
This ensures the payment is correctly classified as a commercial transaction, keeping both sender and recipient compliant with US and Indian regulations.

Even when payments are made via Remitly Business, recipients in India must meet compliance obligations under RBI rules. Each inbound business payment requires:

Remitly doesn’t issue FIRA or eBRC; these must be requested from your Indian bank after each payment. Keeping these documents ensures your foreign income is properly recorded for <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/decoding-gst-on-foreign-exchange">GST filings</a>, audits, and export compliance.

Missing or delayed documentation can lead to complications during tax assessments or while claiming export benefits. The responsibility to maintain compliance lies with the recipient, not the payment platform.

💡 Tip: Always verify whether your client is using Remitly Business before accepting payments, and ensure you or your accountant collects FIRA/eBRC promptly after each transfer. Or consider platforms like Skydo, which take care of these compliance docs on your behalf.&nbsp;

A business-grade alternative: Skydo for Indian exporters

If you regularly receive payments from US clients, Skydo is built specifically for Indian businesses, freelancers, agencies, and SaaS exporters who want transparency, faster settlements, and built-in compliance.

Skydo provides the live mid-market exchange rate, the same one you’d see on Google, with zero markup.
Instead of adding hidden margins, it follows a simple flat-fee model:

This makes every transaction predictable; you know your exact cost before receiving the funds.

Skydo gives you two flexible options to receive payments:

Each Skydo payment automatically generates FIRA, and for Amazon Global sellers,&nbsp; eBRC is automated too.&nbsp; You don’t have to contact your bank or follow up manually; all compliance documentation appears in your dashboard and inbox as soon as funds are processed.

Let’s see how Skydo compares on a standard $10,000 invoice.

*Based on a mid-market rate of ₹85.01/USD. Actual results depend on live exchange rates.

Remember, we are assuming a 0.9% markup; the real markup can be more as well. Even with a small markup, the difference adds up. On a $10,000 transfer, you keep about ₹2,000 more with Skydo — plus, your FIRA and eBRC are generated automatically, saving hours of manual follow-up.

💡 Insight: Flat-fee, zero-markup pricing becomes more cost-effective as your transfer amounts increase, especially for recurring invoices or larger export payments.

However, for smaller transfers, Remitly can be a more cost-effective solution, although note that you still have to figure out compliance documents on your own.&nbsp;

So, what are you waiting for? Make your global payments simple and more affordable with Skydo

Remitly Transfer (USD→INR): Fees, Limits, Compliance — and a Better Business Alternative

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If you’re receiving payments from clients abroad, you need a platform that’s fast, compliant, and cost-efficient.
Remitly is one of the most trusted names for cross-border transfers, known for its smooth user experience and reliability in personal remittances.
But when it comes to commercial or business payments, the requirements are slightly different.

This guide breaks down how Remitly works, where its use cases differ for businesses, and what alternatives you can consider if you regularly receive international payments for services or exports.

Remitly is an American fintech company that enables individuals to send money internationally with speed and transparency.
It operates in 30+ sending countries and supports 170+ receiving destinations,&nbsp; including India, processing over $18.5 billion in annual volume.

Here’s what users consistently appreciate about Remitly

For personal transfers, these features make Remitly an excellent choice.

Where Remitly’s Model Differs for Business Payments

While Remitly is built on strong technology and trust, its framework and regulatory positioning are optimised for individual remittances, not commercial inflows.

Here are the key factors to know before using it for business payments:

Remitly is built for personal money transfers, things like family support or individual remittances.
If you’re receiving client or export payments through it, that technically falls outside its permitted use.

Such transfers aren’t treated as business receipts under Indian regulations, which means you won’t get a valid<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-firc-a-complete-guide"> FIRA for them</a>.
Without that, reconciling income during audits or export filings can turn into a hassle later.

For every foreign payment received, Indian businesses require certain documents for compliance,&nbsp; namely, the Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA) and, for goods and software exporters coming under <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/softex-form-guide-indian-exporters">SOFTEX</a>,&nbsp; an <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-e-brc">eBRC (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate</a>) is also needed

Remitly does not automatically issue these documents since it isn’t designed for export-linked commercial flows.
Businesses or freelancers receiving such payments may need to approach their bank separately to obtain them,&nbsp; a process that can take 7–15 days and often involves additional fees.

3. Remitly Business: Limited to U.S. Senders

Remitly also offers <a href="https://www.remitly.com/us/en/landing/business">Remitly Business</a>, a dedicated account for U.S.-based companies (LLCs, corporations, and sole proprietors) sending money abroad.
However, this service focuses on the sending side of the transaction.
For Indian freelancers or exporters receiving payments, compliance and reconciliation responsibilities still rest locally.

So while Remitly Business adds convenience for senders, it doesn’t yet extend a full commercial payments framework for receivers in India.

What to Look for in a Business-Grade Remitly Alternative

If you often receive client payments for exports or services, look for platforms that specifically support B2B inward remittances.
Here’s a tactical checklist:

Top Remitly Alternatives for Indian Freelancers &amp; Businesses

Below are platforms better suited for business transactions and exports, each with distinct strengths.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/transferwise-india-features-benefits-pros-cons">Wise offers </a>multi-currency accounts and transparent conversion at the mid-market rate.
It supports 50+ currencies and issues digital FIRA for inward remittances to India (charged per transaction).

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-payment-gateway-features-fees">Payoneer</a> remains one of the most established names for Indian service exporters and marketplace sellers.

A solid option for those who receive payments from established platforms or recurring global clients.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/paypal-in-india-charges-review-alternatives">PayPal</a> is still among the most widely accepted payment methods globally.
For Indian users, it supports only cross-border transactions — no domestic INR payments.

PayPal’s universal recognition helps with client trust, though its pricing is on the higher side for frequent transactions.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/stripe-india-charges-review-alternatives">Stripe’s infrastructure </a>is exceptional for global SaaS and developer-focused businesses.
However, in India, it remains invite-only and supports international card payments only.

An Indian platform that now supports inward and outward remittance.

Best suited for startups or SMEs with frequent USD payments.

A Bangalore-based platform focused on affordable cross-border collections.

Also offers treasury management options for idle cash, a rare bonus.

7. Skydo: Best Remitly Alternative for Indian Businesses

Skydo is an India-first platform designed specifically for exporters, agencies, and freelancers receiving global payments.
It brings together compliance, speed, and transparency in one dashboard.

Skydo functions as a business-grade receiver, simplifying every step from payment to compliance.

Skydo vs Remitly: Business Readiness at a Glance

Final Take: How to Pick the Right Platform

When choosing a Remitly alternative, focus on your actual needs — not just fees.

With Skydo, you get both,&nbsp; the transparency of a fintech and the compliance of a regulated Indian platform.
You can sign up in under 5 minutes and start receiving payments globally with automatic FIRA, no paperwork, no follow-ups.

👉 <a href="https://www.skydo.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Get started with Skydo</a> and simplify your international business payments today.

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If you're an Indian exporter or freelancer working with U.S. clients, get ready for a change: cards are becoming a preferred way for businesses to pay. We often think of credit and debit cards as consumer payment tools, but businesses use them too. In fact, about 8 out of 10 small businesses in the US use at least one business credit card to manage payments. Why are cards on the rise for B2B? Because they offer speed, rewards, and simpler internal approvals for the payer. This trend impacts you directly – your next invoice could be paid via a card.&nbsp;

In this blog, we’ll dive into why U.S. clients prefer card payments, what that means for your cash flow and compliance as an Indian exporter, and how you can adapt. We’ll also cover how Skydo can help you accept U.S.-issued Visa/Mastercard payments through InstaLinks, as well as ACH payments through virtual accounts, with funds delivered in less than 48 hours.

Your U.S. clients might insist on paying by card for several practical reasons. Understanding their perspective can help you cater to their needs better. Here are the top reasons U.S. businesses favour card payments:

What This Means for Indian Exporters and Freelancers

Cards sound great for your client, but how do they affect you as the person receiving the payment in India? Here are the key implications:

Convenient First Payments (A Sweet Spot to Get Started)

Card payments shine for first-time invoices and smaller amounts. When you’re kicking off a new client relationship or handling an urgent project, cards help avoid delays. As mentioned, a new wire transfer setup can slow down an initial payment. With cards, your client can pay immediately without bureaucratic hurdles. For smaller invoice values, many clients are even willing to absorb the card processing fee for the sake of speed and convenience.

Reduced DSO (Less Waiting and Fewer Failed Payments)

DSO stands for Days Sales Outstanding – essentially, how long it takes to collect payment after you issue an invoice. Lower DSO is better for your cash flow. Using cards can reduce your DSO because traditional methods like wire transfers are slower and often come with hiccups. In fact, international wires sometimes fail or get delayed due to errors or compliance checks. According to SWIFT, roughly 10% of international payments get held up along the way for compliance reviews. 

When a wire fails, you might only find out after 3–5 days (when the money bounces back to the sender), putting you back at square one. Card payments can also fail or be declined, but the big advantage is that you know the result instantly. If a client's card is declined (due to insufficient limit, an expired card, suspected fraud, etc.), they can resolve it or use another payment method right away, rather than you both waiting in limbo. The immediacy of card authorisation means fewer payments are stuck in processing. Overall, this translates to quicker resolution of payment issues and a lower chance of invoices getting “stuck” for days or weeks.

Higher Completion Rate (Fewer "Stuck" Invoices)

A "stuck invoice" is a payment that gets trapped in processing due to additional approvals needed, missing paperwork, or technical glitches. With wire transfers, an invoice can get stuck if, say, the client’s bank needs extra compliance documents or if there was a typo in your bank details (like a SWIFT code). Such issues can hold up a payment for many days while everyone scrambles to fix the problem. Card payments, on the other hand, tend to be binary – they either go through or they don’t. When a client attempts a card payment, you get one of three immediate outcomes: approved, declined, or requires verification. If it’s approved, great – you're getting paid. If it’s declined or needs additional verification, you know right away and can ask the client to investigate or use an alternate method. There’s much less chance of a payment disappearing into a “processing black hole.” This higher completion rate means you spend less time chasing down payments that are stuck in limbo.

Compliance Impact (FIRA/eBRC Requirements Still Apply)

One important thing to remember: even if you receive money via a card payment or ACH, from the government and banking regulatory perspective in India it’s still a foreign inward remittance. Accepting card payments doesn’t exempt you from the usual export documentation. You will still need a Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA), as proof that foreign currency funds arrived in your Indian bank account. If you’re exporting goods or certain services, you also need an Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) mapped to that payment to satisfy RBI and FEMA regulations. In short, card or no card, the paperwork remains. The good news is that some modern payment platforms (like Skydo) automatically generate the necessary FIRA for you on each payment, which saves you the headache of chasing the bank for it. Just be mindful that you must account for every dollar coming in and tie it back to an export invoice for compliance purposes, the same way you would with a wire transfer.

Card payments are becoming a default choice for U.S. companies, and they can help you get paid quickly. To make the most of this trend (and to avoid potential pitfalls), you’ll want to adapt your processes. Here are several strategies to smoothly accommodate both card and ACH payments from U.S. clients:

Don’t force your client into a single payment method. On every invoice, present card and bank transfer as standard payment options. This way, the client immediately sees they have a choice. They’ll appreciate the flexibility to pay how they prefer. Often, just knowing that you can accept a card can make a client more comfortable – it signals that you’re easy to do business with.&nbsp;

Not all payments are equal. It can be smart to steer clients toward one method or another based on the situation:

By segmenting payments this way, you optimise for both speed and cost-efficiency depending on the scenario.

When you start accepting multiple payment methods, you’ll face the question of how to handle the different fees. How do you charge clients in a way that’s fair and also nudges them toward the most efficient option? Here are a few pricing approaches you can consider:

No matter which model you choose, communicate clearly with your client. If you’re offering an ACH discount or charging extra for card, mention it upfront in the quote or invoice. Transparency builds trust, and many clients will understand that different methods have different costs.

Skydo’s Card + Net Banking Solution for Indian Exporters

When you work with U.S. clients, you don’t want to lock them into just one way of paying. That’s why Skydo supports both ACH transfers (via virtual accounts) and InstaLinks (card + ACH debit) — so you can cover every client scenario without extra setup.

ACH Credit via Virtual USD Accounts (Bank Transfer)

Skydo issues you a virtual U.S. bank account with unique account and routing numbers. Your client simply makes an ACH Credit (push payment) from their U.S. bank as if they were paying any domestic vendor.

For first-time clients, urgent projects, or those who prefer flexibility, Skydo provides InstaLinks — a secure payment link that lets your client choose between paying by card (Visa/Mastercard) or ACH debit (pull from their account).

Now, go ahead and embrace the card payment trend – and happy earning!

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What is FIRA (and how the terminology evolved)

In banking, FIRA is your AD bank’s written confirmation that foreign currency was received against your export of goods/services. Many branches still use “FIRA/FIRC” interchangeably, which causes confusion—the function for exports is FIRA.

Freelancers &amp; agencies (service exporters)

If you offer services to overseas clients—IT/engineering, design, content, marketing, consulting—every inward foreign payment should be backed by a FIRA. It proves the income is export revenue, not a personal transfer, and supports GST refunds and audits.

If you are working for an international company and getting paid directly from them in foreign currency, you would need FIRA.&nbsp;

For global subscriptions or license sales, FIRA underpins revenue recognition and audit trails (monthly or one-off). Course creators and other digital products fall here, too.

Goods exporters &amp; marketplace sellers

If you export physical products (direct or via marketplaces like Amazon/eBay), FIRA is the first step; then, eBRC is generated to complete the documentation.

Simple rule: If you receive foreign income, you should have a FIRA for each payment.

Takeaway: Service exporters typically rely on FIRA; goods and SOFTEX-covered software exporters need FIRA + eBRC.

Skydo: instant, automated FIRA (and clear pricing)

If you receive payments through Skydo, FIRA is generated automatically for every inward remittance—no branch visits or follow-ups. You also get live mid-market FX with clear, flat fees (no hidden markups), plus India-based support.

Why exporters pick Skydo for compliance + cost control

Want a link-based flow with automatic FIRA and predictable FX? Try InstaLinks for US clients, or use Skydo’s virtual USD/EUR/GBP accounts for broader collections.

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If you’re billing overseas clients, from a SaaS subscription to a consulting invoice, you want three things: a. the payment to land on time, b. The INR you receive to be predictable, c. and the paperwork to be airtight.

This guide explains how Cashfree handles international payments, what it costs, what documents you get, and when a specialised exporter platform (like Skydo) might fit better.

Cashfree is a Bengaluru-based payments company. Domestically, it’s an RBI-licensed Payment Aggregator. For cross-border, it offers two ways to collect and settle in INR:

Let's take a moment to understand both these methods.&nbsp;

1) Global Collections Account (virtual accounts + local rails)

Best for: Invoices from overseas clients (freelancers, agencies, IT/consulting, SaaS).

In short: Feels like a “local bank account” for your client; you receive INR in India with per-payment FIRA.

2) International Payment Gateway (cards/APMs)

Best for: Online checkout flows (eCommerce, digital goods, subscriptions, SaaS).

In short: Optimised for conversion at checkout with multi-currency presentation; compliance comes as period summaries.

Cashfree International Payments Charges — what to expect

Use the International Gateway when:

Quick comparison: Global Collection Account vs Payment Gateway

A focused alternative for exporters: Skydo

While Cashfree gives Indian businesses multiple ways to collect payments, it’s still built to serve both domestic and international flows.
If you’re an exporter or freelancer who deals primarily in foreign payments, Skydo might be a better fit because it’s designed only for that.

With Skydo, you get global bank accounts in your business’s name across major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and AUD.
Your clients can pay you through their local payment methods, ACH in the US, SEPA in Europe, Faster Payments in the UK, and the funds reach your Indian account at live forex rates with zero markup.

If your client’s in the US, you can even share an InstaLink; they can pay instantly via card (5%) or ACH debit (2%) at midmarket rates without any markup

Every payment comes with an instant FIRA and eBRC (for Amazon sellers).

In short, Skydo takes care of the entire export payment journey,&nbsp; from collection to compliance, without the guesswork or hidden forex costs. So try Skydo today and let us take on of your payment worries

Cashfree International Payments (2025): Global Account, Gateway, Charges & Alternative