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

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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When it comes to receiving payments from US clients, choosing the right method can save you time and money. The main options are ACH payments vs wire transfers, with credit card payments as an alternative. In a nutshell, wire transfers are secure but often expensive, while ACH transfers are slower but much cheaper. Card payments offer convenience at a higher fee. Understanding ACH vs wire vs card trade-offs, especially in 2025’s evolving payments landscape, will help you get paid quickly, affordably, and with minimal hassle.

For a fast decision, use the table below to pick the best payment rail (method) based on your scenario:

ACH payment types reminder: “ACH” actually comes in two flavours:

Both are bank-to-bank transfers through the Automated Clearing House network, but credit is initiated by the payer, while debit is initiated by you with permission.

Six-Step Decision Flow for Choosing a Payment Rail

To choose the right payment method for each invoice, follow this step-by-step logic:

By considering these factors, you’ll select the payment method that best fits each scenario.

Why Payment Rail Selection Matters in 2025

Picture this: You just finished a project for a US client and invoiced $5,000. The client says, “I’ll wire the money like always.” You agree without a second thought. A few days later, only $4,720 arrives in your account. Where did the missing $280 go? It vanished in transit via fees and exchange markups – the costly downside of using the wrong payment rail.

In 2025, US clients increasingly want convenience (using cards or low-friction ACH bank debits), and Indian service providers want low costs, quick settlement, and smooth compliance. If you pick the wrong payment method for a given situation, you could suffer:

The bottom line: choosing the right rail for each invoice can save money, reduce delays, and avoid a lot of frustration. The next sections provide a practical framework to evaluate each option in plain English.

Let’s break down the main ways to get paid (ACH credit, ACH debit, wire, and card) in simple terms, including how they work, typical timelines, costs, and best uses.

Your client pushes money from their US bank account to you. With a platform like Skydo, you receive unique US account and routing numbers (virtual USD account) to share with the client – it looks to them like any US bank account. They send an ACH transfer to that account. Once received, the platform converts it at live forex rates and credits your INR account in India.

You pull funds from the client’s US bank after getting their authorisation. Think of it like setting up an autopay — the client gives permission (via a secure link) and you initiate the debit.

A wire transfer is a direct bank-to-bank transfer across the SWIFT network (for international payments). Your client sends USD from their bank, which hops through one or more correspondent banks, and finally, the money arrives in your Indian bank account.

This is the standard credit/debit card payment process via a payment gateway or link. The client pays you using their card, just like buying a product online. It’s a familiar, user-friendly checkout experience for them.

Comparing ACH vs Wire vs Card: Fees and Settlement Times

To illustrate the differences, let’s compare what happens with an example $1,000 invoice paid via Card, ACH Credit, ACH Debit, or Wire:

Beyond the direct fees we just outlined, keep an eye on indirect costs that can eat into your time or profits:

Skydo advantage: Whether you’re receiving card payments, ACH debits, or ACH credits via virtual accounts, Skydo helps eliminate hidden costs on currency conversion by using live forex rates with zero margin. You get the real mid-market exchange rate, instead of a marked-up bank rate that can quietly cost you 1–2% on every transaction. This ensures more of the invoiced amount actually ends up in your pocket.

Risk and Reliability: Avoiding Common Payment Failures

Even after choosing the optimal payment method, things can go wrong. Here are the most common failure points in getting paid (and how to prevent them):

Why Offer Multiple Payment Options Up Front?

Every US client is a bit different in how they prefer to pay. Finance departments typically love ACH debits or credits for their low cost and predictable process. Founders or project managers, on the other hand, might prefer card payments because they’re faster, they might earn points, or they don’t have to involve their accounts payable team. If you insist on only one option (say, wire only or ACH only), you force a negotiation that can delay the deal while the client seeks approvals or alternatives.

Offering two rails from the start (e.g. ACH and Card) can significantly smooth the process:

How to present it: It’s important to communicate these options clearly to the client so they know they have a choice. For example, you might include a line in your invoice email like:

Invoice Payment Options: “Pay via ACH (lowest cost) or Card (fastest) — choose what works for you. Both routes provide instant receipts and required compliance docs.”

This one-liner shows that you understand their needs (speed vs. cost trade-off) and assures them that either way, the paperwork (receipts, compliance) is taken care of. Clients appreciate having a say in the payment method; it builds trust that you’re easy to work with and flexible.

Most importantly, by offering multiple rails, you avoid delays. There’s no back-and-forth to set up alternatives, because the alternative was there from the start. In many cases, you’ll find the client will opt for the card for speed, or ACH for cost, and the payment gets done without further discussion.

How Skydo Implements Dual-Rail Payments (Without the Chaos)

If managing multiple payment methods sounds complex, platforms like Skydo are designed to handle much of that complexity for you. Here’s how Skydo’s solution works for offering both ACH and Card options seamlessly:

ACH via Virtual USD Accounts (ACH Credit, “Push”)

Skydo issues you a virtual US bank account (with unique account and ABA routing numbers) to receive ACH credits.

InstaLink Payments: Card &amp; ACH Debit (Pull via a Single Link)

Skydo’s InstaLink is a one-stop payment link that offers the client both Card and ACH Debit options in a single interface. You send them the link, and they choose their preferred method.

To help communicate the dual-option payment approach to clients, here are a couple of short lines (microcopy) you can adapt:

Using friendly, client-centric language like this ensures the client doesn’t feel pushed one way or the other, but understands the pros and cons of each method.

In summary, ACH vs Wire vs Card is not about a one-size-fits-all winner – it’s about choosing the right tool for the job. In 2025, smart freelancers and businesses are rail-agnostic, offering multiple payment options and letting the client’s context dictate the best method. ACH transfers shine for their low cost on routine payments, wire transfers still play a role for large or time-sensitive international payments, and card payments provide a quick and easy way to get paid when speed trumps fees. By understanding these differences and leveraging platforms that simplify multi-rail payments, you can get paid faster, save money on fees, and keep your clients happy.

Explore Skydo: If you’re looking to streamline your US payments with minimal fees, automated compliance docs, and dual payment options for your clients, check out Skydo’s platform and see how it can support your business. Getting paid from the US has never been easier!

ACH Payment vs Wire Transfer vs Card: 2025 Guide for Indian Exporters

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You've figured out the product sourcing. Your Amazon listings are converting well. Orders are flowing in from international markets. But then someone talks about compliance documents like <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/automated-firc-simplifying-international-payments-compliance">FIRA</a> and<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-e-brc"> eBRC</a>, and to you, they might as well be words in a foreign language because you have no idea what they mean.&nbsp;

Most Amazon global sellers from India are first-time exporters. While you've cracked the export and product side of things, compliance still feels like navigating a maze with a blindfold on. You know Amazon handles the platform logistics, but RBI and GST compliance? That's still on you.

The frustrating part is how these acronyms get thrown around without proper explanation. FIRA, eBRC, FIRC – they sound similar but serve completely different purposes. Missing any of these can mess with your payments, tax filings, or even your ability to continue selling internationally.

This guide will break down precisely what FIRA and eBRC are, why you need both, how they differ, and, most importantly, how to obtain them without the usual bureaucratic struggles.

What is FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice)?

When Amazon Global Selling deposits your international sales earnings into your Indian bank account, your bank creates this document as proof that foreign funds from your overseas sales actually arrived.

Your bank or payment service provider issues FIRA every time foreign currency is converted and credited to your account. You typically need to request it from your bank when foreign currency is converted and credited to your account, and the banks generally charge a fee for issuing the same. Platforms like Skydo issue FIRA instantly, that too free of cost.&nbsp;

The document includes your details as the beneficiary, the exact amount received, the currency from which it originated, the conversion rate used, and a purpose code that explains the reason for the transfer. For Amazon sellers, this purpose code typically indicates export income.

FIRA serves as your primary evidence that you earned legitimate export income. Your chartered accountant needs it for maintaining your books. The GST department requires this information when you file returns or claim input tax credits. If you're planning to claim any government export incentives or refunds later, FIRA becomes essential documentation.

Every business receiving foreign payments needs FIRA, whether you're selling products on Amazon or providing services to international clients. There's no getting around this requirement if money is flowing from overseas into your Indian accounts.

What is eBRC (Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate)?

eBRC goes one step further than FIRA. While FIRA merely confirms that foreign money has arrived, eBRC proves explicitly that you have been paid for exports that you have already shipped out of India.

Your bank generates <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-is-e-brc">eBRC</a> after matching your export documents with the payment received. It's essentially saying "yes, this person exported goods worth X amount, and yes, they actually got paid for it." The system cross-checks your shipping bill or SOFTEX form with the incoming payment to create this certificate.

If you're selling physical products through Amazon FBA or any other export method, you need eBRC. This applies to all Amazon Global sellers regardless of scale - whether you're shipping five units to the US or 500 units to the UK, you're still classified as a goods exporter under Indian law. Even a single product sold through Amazon Global Selling to an international customer, which has earned you foreign currency, requires eBRC compliance.

eBRC unlocks several financial benefits that FIRA alone cannot. When you apply for duty drawback (to receive refunds on customs duties paid), the system requires eBRC as proof. Export promotion schemes and incentives require eBRC to verify your legitimate export earnings.

Beyond these benefits, eBRC is also a mandatory compliance requirement under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations. The RBI and DGFT require all goods exporters to file an eBRC to prove that export proceeds have been realised. This isn't optional - it's a legal obligation that comes with being classified as a goods exporter.

During GST audits or when claiming GST refunds for exported goods, officers will specifically request an eBRC. They want to confirm that your zero-rated exports actually resulted in foreign exchange earnings. Without eBRC, these processes become much more complicated, and you might miss out on money that's rightfully yours. More importantly, missing eBRC can lead to compliance violations and potential penalties.

Here's how these two documents compare across different aspects:

The primary difference lies in scope and purpose. FIRA covers all foreign payments entering India, while eBRC specifically tracks export payments.

Your bank or payment service provider creates FIRA and gives it directly to you as a PDF document. For eBRC, your bank still generates the data, but then uploads it as an XML file to the DGFT portal. You access eBRC through government systems rather than getting it directly from your bank. Skydo provides automated eBRC to Amazon Global sellers.

FIRA works for general accounting and tax purposes. Your CA uses it for maintaining books, and you need it for GST filings or as proof of income. eBRC becomes essential when dealing with export-specific benefits. Government incentive schemes, duty drawback claims, and DGFT compliance all require eBRC to verify that your exports actually generated foreign exchange for India.

Why Amazon Sellers Need Both FIRA and eBRC

Amazon global sellers fall under the category of goods exporters according to Indian law. This classification applies regardless of whether you use FBA, Easy Ship, or handle shipping yourself. You're moving physical products across borders and receiving foreign currency, which automatically triggers RBI and DGFT compliance requirements.

Your legal obligations as a goods exporter

The government requires two specific documents from every goods exporter:

How the documents work differently

Payment providers like Skydo, Wise or PingPong typically issue FIRA as proof of inward remittance. This covers the basic requirement of showing that foreign money arrived.

eBRC comes from an Authorised Dealer bank and gets uploaded directly to the DGFT portal. It serves as official proof of export realisation under FEMA regulations. Skydo has automated this process specifically for Amazon global sellers, which removes much of the manual paperwork.

Missing eBRC blocks several critical financial processes:

Without FIRA, your accounting becomes messy:

The bottom line: FIRA proves the money came in, eBRC proves it came as export income. You need both documents to stay compliant and audit-ready.

 Most payment platforms stop at FIRA, leaving sellers to figure out eBRC on their own. Many exporters only realise its importance during tax season, when reconstructing months of exports becomes a nightmare. The manual bank process takes weeks, multiple visits, and often extra CA fees. For first-time exporters, the jargon and lack of clear guidance make it even harder. Missing eBRC means delayed filings and lost incentives.

Skydo is built for Amazon Global Sellers. We automatically generate both FIRA and eBRC for your transactions, downloadable directly from your dashboard. Each payment is mapped with IEC and purpose code, making you audit-ready and tax-compliant. Plus, you get live FX rates with zero markup, so your margins stay intact.

The Takeaway
For Amazon sellers, Skydo eliminates the biggest operational headache of compliance, so you can focus on selling, while we handle the paperwork.

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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