A vostro account is an account that a domestic bank holds on behalf of a foreign bank, usually in the domestic currency. Banks use vostro accounts to facilitate local transactions, settle trade payments, and process remittances on behalf of the foreign bank. It is a core piece of correspondent banking, where banks in different countries use one another's infrastructure to move and settle funds.

For example, if JPMorgan Chase in the US opens an account with SBI and holds Indian rupees in it, SBI considers that a vostro account. It lets JPMorgan Chase access India's banking system without maintaining its own physical branch in the country.

A vostro account&nbsp;<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/nostro-and-vostro-account" target="_blank">may sound similar to a nostro account or a loro account</a>, but the difference comes down to which bank is describing the same balance:

What Are the Features of a Vostro Account?

The key features of a vostro account are local currency denomination, liability accounting on the host bank's books, its role as the backbone of correspondent banking, bilateral trade settlement in local currencies, inward remittance facilitation, and regulatory compliance with the host country's rules. Each one is explained below.

Taken together, these features are what let a foreign bank hold funds locally, pay out in the host country's currency, and stay inside that country's regulatory perimeter without setting up its own presence there.

Vostro vs Nostro vs Loro: Key Differences

Nostro, vostro and loro are terms used to describe correspondent-banking account relationships from different perspectives. “Nostro” means “ours,” referring to a bank's money held with another bank. “Vostro” means “yours,” referring to that same balance from the perspective of the bank holding the money. “Loro” means “theirs,” referring to the account from the perspective of a third bank.

They are not two or three separate pots of money. The <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/nostro-and-vostro-account">nostro, vostro and loro</a> labels describe the same underlying correspondent-banking account relationship from different perspectives.

In India, RBI also permits Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVA) for eligible international trade settlement. Under this mechanism, Indian exporters can receive export proceeds in INR from balances held in the designated vostro account, subject to the applicable RBI conditions.

A vostro account gives a foreign bank access to the domestic banking system by holding its funds with a bank in another country. In an INR vostro arrangement, the funds are held in Indian rupees, and the Indian bank can process payments from that balance on the foreign bank's instructions.

For an INR payment, the process can work like this:

The Indian bank acts as the local banking partner, processing payments and handling settlements on behalf of the foreign bank. Keeping funds in local currency can also reduce the need for currency conversion each time a payment is made. More broadly, vostro accounts support correspondent banking by allowing banks to provide services in countries where they do not maintain their own branches. Note that this is entirely different from the concept of <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/virtual-accounts-vs-local-banks">virtual accounts vs local banks</a>.

Consider Alpha Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru-based IT consulting firm that has completed a software project for Texas Retail Corp, its US client. Alpha Tech raises a USD invoice and uses <a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> to collect the payment. Behind the scenes, Skydo's payment infrastructure uses Vostro relationships with banking partners to receive the payment locally and settle it in India. Here:

Why Do Vostro Accounts Matter For Indian Exporters And Freelancers?

Vostro accounts provide the banking infrastructure that allows foreign banks to hold funds and make payments through Indian banks. Indian exporters and freelancers generally do not manage these accounts themselves, but they can benefit from the payment routes these arrangements make possible. With Vostro accounts, you get:

What Is a Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)?

A Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) is a rupee-denominated account that an Indian Authorised Dealer (AD) bank maintains for an overseas bank to facilitate eligible cross-border transactions in Indian rupees. It allows trade partners to invoice, pay, and settle eligible exports and imports in INR instead of relying entirely on a freely convertible currency such as the US dollar or euro.

RBI introduced the SRVA mechanism through A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 10 dated July 11, 2022, allowing Indian AD banks to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts for correspondent banks of partner trading countries. The arrangement was introduced as an additional option for international trade settlement in INR, alongside existing settlement methods.

RBI issued A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 19, consolidating instructions from 5 earlier circulars issued between July 2022 and October 2025. The revised framework allows AD banks in India to open SRVAs for their overseas branches as well as banks resident outside India. It also permits SRVAs to be used for other permissible current and capital account transactions under FEMA.

The network has expanded significantly. Reports in early 2026 put the SRVA network at more than 80 accounts across more than 30 trading-partner countries. The current FEDAI directory confirms that the network spans countries including Russia, Germany, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Armenia, Belarus, Tanzania and others.

Russia remains a prominent example. The current FEDAI directory lists SRVA arrangements with Russian banks across multiple Indian AD banks, including Canara Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bank of Baroda, UCO Bank, Axis Bank and others. India and Russia have continued exploring INR-based settlement to reduce dependence on the US dollar, although actual payment routes can vary by transaction and regulatory conditions.

Indian banks maintain SRVAs for overseas correspondent banks. For example, Punjab National Bank's International Service Branch in New Delhi currently lists 10 SRVAs, covering banks from Myanmar and Bangladesh. FEDAI also maintains the broader country-wise SRVA Directory, which is the best place to check the current list of Indian AD banks and their overseas banking counterparts.

How Skydo Helps Indian Businesses Receive Money Using Vostro Accounts?

Skydo uses global banking infrastructure, including Vostro relationships with banking partners, to handle the banking layer behind international payments. For Indian freelancers and exporters, that means they can receive payments through local-style international accounts while Skydo handles the cross-border settlement, INR credit, and remittance documentation.

Skydo provides free virtual accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD, CAD and other supported currencies. Account setup takes about 5 minutes, and overseas clients can pay through local methods such as ACH, Fedwire, or SEPA where available. Additionally, Skydo charges:

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An international money transfer is the process of sending money from one country to another, usually with a currency conversion when the sender and recipient use different currencies.

In India, individuals can send money abroad for permitted purposes such as education, medical treatment, travel, employment, business visits, gifts and donations, subject to applicable RBI rules and documentation.

The basic process involves choosing the amount and currency, entering the recipient's bank details, completing KYC and other required checks, and sending the funds through an authorised payment channel. The exact steps, requirements and processing times on <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-long-does-international-wire-transfer-take">how long an international wire transfer take</a> can vary between banks and digital payment providers.

What Are the Different Ways to Transfer Money Internationally?

The main ways to transfer money internationally include bank wire transfers, online money transfer platforms, cash-based services, bank drafts or foreign-currency cheques, and international money orders. The most suitable method depends on the destination, amount, delivery method and how quickly the recipient needs the funds.

For Indian freelancers and exporters receiving international payments, the payment flow is different when money is coming into India rather than being sent abroad. A suitable virtual foreign-currency account or receiving platform can accept payments from overseas clients and settle the funds into the recipient's Indian bank account, depending on the provider and payment route.

Once again, the right payment method can affect the cost, processing time and documentation involved. Hence, it is advisable to understand the major differences between <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/ach-vs-wire-transfer-vs-card">ACH vs wire transfer vs card</a> before choosing one.

What Does It Actually Cost to Transfer Money Internationally?

The cost of an international money transfer is more than the fee shown at checkout. Depending on the provider and payment route, you may also pay through the exchange rate and intermediary-bank charges. By the end, the amount you send and the amount the recipient receives can differ.

Say, for an international payment, the costs can look very different depending on the provider:

Speed can affect pricing too. If you are a freelancer and need the money to arrive urgently, an express transfer may cost more than a standard option. Make sure you compare both the delivery time and total <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/best-way-transfer-money-internationally">international bank transfer fees</a> before choosing a route.

Additionally, documentation can matter just as much for Indian freelancers and exporters. Check what proof of the incoming payment your provider supplies and whether you would need to contact a bank separately for any required FIRA or other remittance records.

What Are the RBI Rules for Sending and Receiving Money Internationally?

The RBI regulates international money movement involving India under FEMA, while the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) sets the framework for permitted outward remittances by resident individuals.

* Nepal and Bhutan: Transactions involving Nepal and Bhutan are subject to separate foreign-exchange provisions and are not handled under the ordinary LRS framework in the same way as other international remittances.

How Does Skydo Make International Money Transfers Simpler for Indian Exporters?

Skydo simplifies the process of receiving international business payments by combining global receiving accounts, flat-fee pricing, zero FX margin, faster INR settlement and automated payment documentation in one platform. With <a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a>, you get:

Who Can Use It: Skydo currently supports Indian export businesses and freelancers receiving international payments, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs and private limited companies. It also supports Amazon Global Selling withdrawals through its global accounts.

<a></a>How to Receive an International Payment as an Indian Freelancer or Exporter?

If you are an Indian, and are <a href="https://www.skydo.com/receive-international-payments-in-india/from-usa">receiving money from the USA </a>or any other country, Skydo makes the process simple for freelancers and exporters. Follow these steps to receive your payment:

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

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What Is an Exchange Earners Foreign Currency Account (EEFC)?

An EEFC account is a current account you hold in foreign currency, offered by Authorized Dealer Category-I banks in India. It lets a resident Indian who earns foreign exchange, whether that's an individual, a firm, or a company, keep 100% of those foreign currency earnings in the account instead of converting them to rupees the moment they arrive.

That second part is really the whole point. Normally, when foreign currency is credited to an Indian account, the bank converts it to INR immediately. With an EEFC account, your USD stays in USD and your EUR stays in EUR until you decide what to do with them.

The account falls under the <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/fema-foreign-exchange-management-act">Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)</a> and is designed for genuine foreign exchange earnings. Export proceeds, professional fees, consultancy income, that kind of thing. Personal remittances and gifts from abroad don't qualify, and the account isn't meant for them.

So what can you actually do with the money once it's in there?

You can hold the foreign currency for a while, pay eligible foreign-currency expenses straight from the balance, and convert whatever's left to INR when the timing works for you instead of on the day it arrives.

Any resident of India who earns foreign exchange can open one. If foreign currency is coming in through your work, you're most likely eligible.

Further Read: NRE and NRO accounts for non-residents →<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/nre-and-nro-account"> https://www.skydo.com/blog/nre-and-nro-account</a>

What are the Key Features of an EEFC Account?

The features that define an EEFC account come down to how it holds money, how long you can hold it, and what it deliberately doesn't do.

Further Read: Currency conversion fees explained → <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/currency-conversion-fees">https://www.skydo.com/blog/currency-conversion-fees</a>

What Are the Benefits of an EEFC Account?

The real payoff of an EEFC account is control: over conversion costs, over timing, and over when you lock in a rate. If your business earns and spends in the same foreign currency, that control turns into money saved.

All of this works best when money moves both ways. If you only receive foreign income and convert everything to INR, you gain little. The account earns no interest while the balance sits, yet it still forces a month-end conversion, so you carry the downside without much of the upside.

An IT or SaaS exporter paying overseas cloud and contractor bills in USD gets the full benefit. A freelancer who just receives dollars and converts the lot, less so.

An EEFC account works by receiving foreign currency after it has already entered the Indian banking system, usually through SWIFT or another payment channel. Your foreign client never pays directly into the EEFC account. The money reaches India first, and only then does it land in your account.

Once it's there, the foreign currency remains unconverted. From that point you've got two options: pay an eligible foreign-currency expense straight from the balance, or convert some or all of it to INR at the bank's rate whenever the timing suits you.

Here's how it applies to a $5,000 invoice:

What Are the RBI Rules Governing an EEFC Account?

The rules for EEFC accounts are set out in FED Master Direction No. 14/2015-16 (re-issued 29 June 2026) and the RBI's own EEFC FAQ. Three of them matter most.

One more restriction sits alongside these: no fund-based or non-fund-based credit facilities, so no loans or overdrafts against an EEFC balance.

Further Read: RBI's role in the foreign exchange market →<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/rbi-role-in-foreign-exchange-market"> https://www.skydo.com/blog/rbi-role-in-foreign-exchange-market</a>

What are the RBI-permitted credits and debits in an EEFC account?

RBI spells out exactly what can go into an EEFC account and what can come out, under <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/fema-foreign-exchange-management-act">FEMA</a>. Here's the shape of both lists.

One thing that does not qualify: claims settled in rupees by ECGC or an insurer. Those aren't treated as foreign exchange realization, so they can't be credited.

EEFC vs a regular current account: Key Differences

The three things that separate them are the currency you hold, the conversion rules, and whether you can pay foreign-currency bills directly.

Where that difference matters is double conversion. An exporter earning USD who also pays USD vendor bills through a regular current account converts USD to INR on receipt, then buys USD again to pay the bill, eating the spread twice. Run the same flow through an EEFC account and both conversion legs disappear.

Further Read: Virtual USD accounts, pros and cons →<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/virtual-usd-accounts-pros-cons"> https://www.skydo.com/blog/virtual-usd-accounts-pros-cons</a>

EEFC vs NRO and NRE accounts: Key Differences

The three things that separate them are residency status, the currency you hold, and how they're taxed.

An exporter who's a resident in India can't park export proceeds in an <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/nre-and-nro-account">NRE or NRO account</a>. Those are strictly for non-residents. For a resident foreign exchange earner, the EEFC account is the right instrument.

How Does Skydo Help Receive International Payments?

Before any of this reaches an EEFC account, the foreign currency has to land in India first. That's the step Skydo handles.

You get free virtual accounts in USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD, and CAD, and you share those details with your clients exactly like a local bank account. Setup takes 5 minutes, fully digital, no relationship manager calls. Pricing is flat with no hidden forex markup: $19 under $2,000, $29 up to $10,000, and 0.3% above that. No monthly fees, so you pay only when you transact.

Every payment comes with a free FIRA certificate for your GST refund claims, plus eBRC closure support once you link your DGFT account. Settlements land within one working day, and support is India-based over WhatsApp, call, and text.

Built for exporters, freelancers with proper documentation, and marketplace sellers receiving international payments.Explore now: <a href="https://www.skydo.com/">https://www.skydo.com/</a>

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International trade is the exchange of goods and services that takes place beyond national borders. It comprises exports, where a business entity sells its products and services to other countries; and imports, where they purchase products and services from other countries.

Goods are transported through air, land, or sea, while services are delivered digitally or remotely. Together, both imports and exports facilitate economic interactions among nations.

International trade takes place because different countries can produce certain goods and services more efficiently than others. Nations trade mainly to access scarce resources and to specialise where they hold a comparative advantage. Some other key reasons include:

In India, this has a practical interpretation. A Bengaluru-based IT services company supplies software solutions to a UK client, because the UK client receives quality services at competitive prices while the Indian firm reaches a much wider market than the demands within the country, provided both sides agree on clear<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/international-payment-terms"> international payment terms</a>.

What Is the Importance of International Trade?

International trade plays a significant role as it expands market potential, provides job opportunities, contributes to economic progress, and establishes diplomatic relations between countries. While the 10 importance of international trade is a widely discussed topic, these 5 aspects stand out as the most essential:

For Indian businesses specifically, offering international services in fields such as IT, design, and consulting, allows companies to earn money in dollars and euros, thereby increasing their chances of making a good income.

What are the Advantages of International Trade?

The advantages of international trade include several aspects like wider consumer choice, employment creation across production, logistics, distribution, and stronger diplomatic ties between trading nations. Apart from these, the wider advantages involve:

<a></a>Reasons Indian Businesses are Growing Through International Trade

Indian businesses are growing through international trade because of larger market availability, favourable currency conversion, rising global demand for Indian services, lower overseas competition, and the ability to price in foreign currency.

What Are the Types of International Trade?

International trade takes three primary forms: export, import, and entrepot (re-export) trade, and may also be conducted under bilateral or multilateral agreements. In reality, these rarely operate in isolation. The same Indian IT firm that exports software to a US client is often importing the servers and laptops it runs on.

Trade flows are classified by the direction in which goods and services move, i.e., outbound from a country, inbound into it, or routed through it to a third market.

The number of participating countries determines how a trade arrangement is negotiated, governed, and enforced.

How to Start International Trade from India? A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting international trade from India comes down to seven steps, including setting up a legal entity, gaining the required licences, researching markets, finding buyers, pricing your offering, arranging logistics, and putting a compliant payment method in place. Most first-time exporters get the first six right and stumble on the seventh, because payment compliance under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) is often overlooked.

What Documents Are Required to Start International Trade from India?

The documents required to start international trade from India include both business registration documents and transaction-level export paperwork.

These are one-time registrations that establish your identity as an exporter and stay valid across every transaction you make.

Transaction-Level Documents (per shipment or invoice)

These documents are prepared fresh for every shipment or invoice, and customs clearance depends on each one being complete and consistent. A single mismatch can leave a consignment stranded at the port.

For service exporters specifically, they generally do not need an IEC or bill of lading, but should be registered for GST, have an invoice in order, and receive payment through an RBI-authorised method to obtain FIRA as proof of foreign inward remittance. They should also be familiar with <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/international-banking-terms">international payment terms </a>as a service exporter.

International Trade vs. Foreign Trade: Key Differences

The key difference between international trade and foreign trade is perspective. International trade refers to the exchange of goods and services across the world as a whole, while foreign trade describes one specific country's trade with other nations.

In practice, global bodies like the WTO use the former, while national policy documents, such as DGFT and customs reports, use the latter.

For Indian freelancers and exporters, the distinction between international trade and foreign trade does not change compliance requirements. FEMA regulations, RBI-authorised payment channels, and foreign remittance documentation such as FIRA continue to apply irrespective of which term is used.

International Trade Policies and Their Examples

International trade policies are the rules governing how nations manage imports, exports, and global commerce. For those asking what are the 4 types of international trade policies are, economists commonly group them into tariffs, quotas, subsidies, and trade agreements.

For Indian exporters, the most important frameworks to know include:

What Challenges Do Indian Exporters Face in International Trade?

Indian exporters face several practical challenges in international trade, including complex regulations, high shipping costs, supply chain disruptions and global competition. Additionally, cross border payment friction and compliance risk are among the most critical for service exporters and freelancers.

These challenges vary by exporter type, i.e., goods exporters battle logistics and customs, while service exporters lose the most to payment and compliance gaps.

How Does Skydo Help Indian Businesses With International Trade Payments?

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> helps Indian businesses and freelancers receive international payments faster, cheaper, and with built-in compliance to solve the major payment hurdles.

Problem 1: Hidden Fees Eating Into Export Revenue

Traditional banks and legacy platforms charge up to 8 per cent in combined fees and forex markups. Skydo uses flat pricing with no monthly fees: $19 for payments up to $2,000, $29 for amounts between $2,001 and $10,000, and 0.3 per cent above $10,000. You pay only when you transact.

Problem 2: Compliance Friction (FIRA, FEMA, eBRC)

Under FEMA, exporters must obtain a FIRA for every inward remittance. Skydo generates<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/automated-firc-simplifying-international-payments-compliance"> automated FIRA certificates</a> for every transaction without manual follow up. For goods exporters managing DGFT obligations, Skydo provides eBRC closure assistance. Link your DGFT account once, bulk upload shipping bills, automatically map IRMs and streamline eBRC generation through the integrated workflow. EDPMS closure assistance is also included.

Problem 3: Slow, Unpredictable Settlements

Traditional bank settlements can be delayed and opaque. Skydo settles payments within one working day with real time digital tracking, eliminating calls to relationship managers or chasing SWIFT receipts.

Beyond solving these three problems, Skydo also simplifies how you get paid day to day:

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B2B payments are transactions where one business pays another for services, goods, software, subscriptions, or a running expense. Unlike a consumer payment, where an individual pays a business, B2B payments happen between two businesses as part of an ongoing business relationship.

These payments usually involve more steps than a typical consumer purchase. A business may need to raise a purchase order, receive an invoice, get internal approval, make the payment, and record the transaction. Payments can also involve larger amounts, recurring transactions, and agreed payment periods such as 15, 30, or 60 days.

Because of this, businesses need B2B payment processes to be accurate, secure, compliant, and easy to track.

A B2B payment starts with a commercial agreement. It sets the scope of work, the price, the delivery schedule, and the payment timeline. Every transaction after that follows the agreement through a standard six-step cycle:

An invoice often crosses accounts payable, procurement, treasury, and at times legal compliances before anyone releases money. Business payments therefore settle far more slowly than consumer checkouts.

Cross-border transactions add further considerations, including currency conversion, sanctions, KYC checks, and matching the final settled amount to the original foreign-currency invoice. These additional steps can make reconciliation more complex and increase the potential for manual work and conversion costs.

Hence, a lot of modern digital systems have moved their <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/b2b-payments">B2B payment strategy from cheques to digital</a> methods to automate the matching, the approvals, and the reconciliation. This reduces manual data entry and the risk of errors.

<a></a>What Are the Most Common B2B Payment Methods?

The most common B2B payment methods are SWIFT bank transfers, ACH/EFT transfers, SEPA transfers, paper cheques, corporate or virtual cards, and digital payment platforms. Each method has different trade-offs in terms of cost, speed, payment limits, and documentation.

Indian businesses split their rails in practice. Rupee payments inside India move over NEFT, RTGS, UPI, and IMPS. Foreign-currency receipts arrive by SWIFT wire or through a local receiving account inside the client's country. The table sums up the trade-offs:

What Are the Challenges with Traditional B2B Payment Methods?

Traditional B2B payment methods can be slower, more expensive and more manual than digital alternatives. The main challenges are hidden costs, delayed settlement, manual reconciliation, compliance requirements, and fragmented payment data. These issues are particularly recurring for Indian exporters and freelancers receiving payments from overseas.

How to Choose the Right B2B Payment Method for Your Business?

Choosing the right B2B payment method depends on 4 factors, i.e., transaction size, frequency of payment, speed, and processing cost tolerance. Since none of the payment methods covers every case, most businesses run a mix of B2B payment software that automates the routing:

How Do Cross-Border B2B Payments Work for Indian Exporters?

When an Indian exporter receives money from overseas, the transaction has to follow applicable RBI and FEMA requirements, along with the relevant payment and export documentation. The receiving flow runs in 5 standard steps:

Herein, there are three compliance layers that wrap around the flow.

The routing choice matters too. A SWIFT wire carries large sums reliably, but the total cost can include charges from the sending bank, correspondent banks and the receiving bank, and settlement can take several business days.

A local virtual account behaves differently. An American client funds a dollar account over ACH, and the exporter still receives INR in India. Depending on the provider, a <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/what-are-cross-border-payments-and-how-skydo-can-help-you-receive-them">cross-border payment settlement </a>can be faster and the exchange rate and fees may be shown upfront.

How Does Skydo Simplify B2B Payments for Indian Businesses?

Skydo eases B2B payments for Indian exporters, freelancers, and other businesses receiving money from abroad. It removes the hidden fees, the compliance chasing, and the unpredictable timelines of bank wires. In practice, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> means:

How Long Does an International Wire Transfer Take?

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A B2B payment gateway is a digital solution that helps businesses process payments from or to other businesses. It can support different payment methods and depending on the platform, may also connect payment processing with invoicing, approval workflows, and accounting or finance systems.

B2B payments are transactions between businesses for products, professional services, software, subscriptions, or ongoing commercial arrangements. Unlike a typical consumer purchase, these payments often involve a more structured process. A business may raise a purchase order, receive an invoice, obtain internal approval, and then make the payment according to agreed terms.

When these payments involve customers or suppliers in other countries, businesses need to understand how<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/cross-border-payments"> cross-border payments</a> work and what is involved in moving money across borders.

B2B payment gateways can broadly be set up in two ways:

A B2B payment gateway works by processing a payment request from the buyer, validating the transaction, and facilitating the transfer of funds to the supplier. It typically sits between the buyer, the supplier, and the relevant banks or financial institutions, helping process the payment after the buyer approves the invoice. Here is how the process generally works:

This structured approach can be particularly useful when a business is handling a high volume of payments. Modern B2B payment platforms usually automate parts of the process, reducing manual data entry and making it easier to track invoices, payments and outstanding amounts. They can also give finance teams a centralised view of payment activity across departments, speed up invoice validation and approval, and simplify reconciliation through features such as payment references and virtual accounts. Detailed transaction histories and activity logs can further support reporting and audits.

For businesses moving from traditional methods to digital payment processes, understanding the shift from <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/b2b-payments">cheques to digital B2B payments</a> can help put these changes into perspective.

<a></a>Domestic B2B Gateway vs International B2B Payment Platform

A domestic B2B gateway may be suitable for collecting or making payments within India, while a cross-border payment platform is designed specifically to help <a href="https://www.skydo.com/receive-international-payments-in-india">businesses receive international payments in India.</a>

What Should Indian Businesses Look for in a B2B Payment Gateway?

Indian businesses should choose a B2B payment gateway that meets applicable regulatory requirements, has hassle-free settlement, transparent pricing, and offers multi-currency support. Here are some factors to consider:

The best B2B payment gateway depends on what you need it to do. While some platforms focus on online checkout, billing and subscriptions, others are designed around receiving cross-border business payments. For Indian exporters, the choice also involves factors such as supported currencies, foreign-exchange costs, settlement, and access to remittance documentation. Here are 10 platforms worth considering:

Skydo is a cross-border payment platform designed for Indian exporters and businesses receiving international payments. It received final RBI authorisation as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) entity in January 2026 and supports international collections through global receiving accounts.

Its current pricing is $19 for transactions up to $2,000, $29 for transactions between $2,001 and $10,000, and 0.3% for transactions above $10,000, plus applicable GST. It also provides FIRA documentation and real-time payment tracking. It is particularly suited to exporters, service businesses and other Indian businesses that regularly receive payments from overseas clients.

Stripe is a global payments platform offering online payments, billing, invoicing and other financial tools. Indian businesses that are eligible for Stripe accounts can accept international payments in more than 135 currencies, subject to Stripe's requirements for Indian businesses.

Current Indian pricing lists 3% for cards issued outside India, with an additional 2% currency-conversion fee where applicable. It can suit businesses selling products or services online to international customers, particularly those that need a developer-friendly checkout and billing stack. If you are weighing it against PayPal, this <a href="https://www.skydo.com/compare/paypal-vs-stripe">Stripe vs PayPal comparison</a> covers the key differences for international payments.

Paddle is a Merchant of Record platform built primarily for SaaS, software, apps and other digital products. It combines payments, billing, subscriptions, tax handling and compliance in one platform. Its standard pay-as-you-go pricing is 5% + $0.50 per checkout transaction. It is a strong option for Indian software and digital-product businesses selling globally. However, it is not a general-purpose solution for every type of export transaction.

PayPal is a widely used international payments platform that allows businesses to receive payments from customers in other countries. For Indian users, PayPal currently supports international payments, while its currency-conversion pricing includes a fee added above the base exchange rate. It can be useful when overseas clients already prefer PayPal, although businesses should compare its conversion costs and settlement requirements with other cross-border options.

Razorpay is a major Indian payments platform offering payment gateways, payment links and other business payment products. Its international payments offering allows eligible businesses to accept payments from customers using foreign-issued cards, and Razorpay also provides FIRA for international payments.

It can work well for Indian businesses that need a broader payment option combining domestic payments with international card acceptance. If you need a solution focused more specifically on receiving international payments, you can also compare <a href="https://www.skydo.com/compare/razorpay-alternatives">Razorpay alternatives for international payments in India</a>.

Payoneer helps businesses and professionals receive payments from international clients, marketplaces and other platforms through receiving accounts and other payment options. For Indian customers, Payoneer offers receiving accounts in multiple currencies and provides digital FIRA/FIRS/NOCs through its platform. It is well suited to businesses and freelancers receiving recurring payments from overseas customers or marketplaces, although its withdrawal and currency-conversion fees should be checked for the specific transaction.

CCAvenue is an established Indian payment gateway that supports domestic and international payment acceptance. It offers more than 200 payment modes and allows merchants to accept international payments in customers' local currencies, with settlement in INR. It can suit established online businesses that want broad payment-method coverage and international checkout capabilities, although pricing varies by plan and business requirements.

EBANX provides payment infrastructure for businesses expanding into emerging markets. Its India offering supports methods such as cards and UPI. It is more relevant to international businesses looking to collect payments from customers in emerging markets than to an Indian exporter looking for a dedicated way to receive overseas invoice payments.

Cashfree Payments provides domestic payment services as well as international payment products. Its international offering supports payments from customers around the world in more than 140 currencies, and Cashfree has received RBI authorisation as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border. It also offers global collections with local accounts in currencies including USD, EUR, CAD and GBP. This makes it a versatile option for Indian businesses that need both domestic payment infrastructure and cross-border collection capabilities.

Instamojo provides payment links, online-store tools and payment collection services aimed largely at small businesses and online sellers. Its current payment options include UPI, domestic cards, net banking and international cards subject to approval, but it does not support multi-currency payments. It can be an easy option for small Indian businesses collecting online payments. However, businesses with substantial international payment requirements may need a platform with broader cross-border capabilities.

How can Skydo Help to Receive B2B Payments in India

Indian businesses receiving payments from overseas customers often have to deal with foreign-exchange costs, remittance documentation and settlement timelines, which eventually affects the actual experience of receiving an international payment.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> is an RBI-authorised Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) platform designed to help Indian businesses deal with these challenges. Skydo supports cross-border payment collection for eligible Indian exporters and freelancers while helping them manage the related settlement and documentation process.

<a></a>How an Indian business can receive a B2B payment through Skydo

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