SBI vs IDFC First Bank Forex Rates: Which Is Better for Exporters in 2026?
Both banks publish a card rate, and neither one is what lands in your account. See the real rate each bank applied to exporter transfers, side by side, and what the same invoice is worth on Skydo.Fetching the live FX rateUSD
Amount billed$10,000.00
—INR
| Transfer Via | Exchange rate | Converted amount |
|---|---|---|
 | INR 84.1500 | INR 8,38,780.63You lose: 1.3% ↓ |
 | INR 83.3000 | INR 8,29,668.00You lose: 2.4% ↓ |
 | INR 85.0000Live Mid Market Rate | INR 8,47,091.30 |
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ISO: 2022 CertifiedSBI vs IDFC First: understanding the key differences for exporters
While both SBI and IDFC First let Indian exporters receive international payments, they differ in the rate applied, the fees taken before the money lands, how you get your FIRA, and how much room you have to negotiate. Here is how they compare side by side.| Features | | |
|---|---|---|
| Forex markup | The gap to the mid-market rate can start from around 1% and varies by account type and your relationship with the bank. | Typically there is a 1-3% markup from the mid market rate. |
| Transfer and processing fees | SWIFT fees plus a processing fee depending on business type, typically around Rs. 500 per remittance | IDFC does not charge anything to credit an inward remittance. It is free across every current account tier. Correspondent banks typically deduct $30-50 before the transfer even reaches IDFC |
| How you settle the remittance | Handled through yono Business (eTrade and eForex) or at a branch. Your current account must first be enabled for inward remittance | Verify with your branch manager that the account is eligible for receiving international payments. You then submit a disposal instruction against each credit with the purpose code. This can be done online through the trade portal instead of visiting the branch |
| Time to credit after you submit | End to end, an inward export payment usually takes 2 to 5 business days | Once funds reach IDFC's nostro account, the credit lands in your account within 1 to 2 days. Add a few days if compliance raises a query. Total time can be 3-5 days |
| FIRA and e-FIRC | SBI reports e-FIRC to EDPMS. It costs Rs. 200 for usage, can vary according to account type | FIRC and e-FIRC can be requested per transaction, they don't charge anything additional for the document |
| Currencies you can receive in | major currencies processed directly, and all other currencies routed through correspondent banks | Major trade currencies through IDFC's correspondent network. The bank publishes 14 currencies for outward transfers, verify the inward list against your branch |
| Compliance tracking | Documents can be uploaded via the eForex portal on yono Business, with SMS/email status alerts; SBI reports realisation to EDPMS. | Reach out to the Relationship Manager with help in managing compliance questions. Inward credits also trigger automatic SMS and email alerts so you know when a payment lands |
| Best suited for | Best for existing SBI exporters with an export credit facility and for marginal currencies as it has a wide network | Exporters who want a bank with no inward remittance or FIRC fees and are willing to accept the exchange rate markup as the cost, long standing relationship with IDFC First bank |
SBI vs IDFC First Bank exchange rates, fees and hidden charges
Three things decide what actually reaches your account: the markup buried in the rate, the fees taken before the money lands, and the charges that only appear on your statement afterwards.Exchange Rates
Fees
Hidden Charges
State Bank of India (SBI) card:- Measured from actual FIRAs, the markup starts at around 1% and varies by account type and your relationship with the bank
- SBI updates rates through the day, and the rate applied is usually the one at the time funds are credited
- Exporters with an export credit facility tend to get better treatment on rates
- SBI applies its USD TT buying rate to inward wires
IDFC FIRST Bank card:- From the live mid market rate, usually there is a 1-3% markup on inward payments from IDFC
- These rates are opaque and depend on the nature of your relationship with the bank
- IDFC publishes a forex rate sheet revised on working days, but it is the TT buying rate at the moment of credit that decides your payout, not the advertised number
- The bank decides these rates based on the volume or nature of relationship
- You can verify the rate received by seeing the FIRA document and comparing with the mid market rate on that day
Keep ₹17,423 more on a $10,000 invoice by bypassing SBI and IDFC First with Skydo.
International payments carry hidden costs from the markup baked into your bank rate and the fees deducted before the money lands. Use the tool below to see what each bank leaves you on the same invoice, and what you keep with Skydo.You keep with Skydo₹8,47,0911% markup₹8,38,7812% markup₹8,29,6680% markup₹8,47,091
Money transferUSD 10,000
$500$10K$100K$1M
1% markupExchange rate84.15
SWIFT fee₹1,893
Documentation fee₹200
Platform fee₹500
GST (18%)₹126
You receive₹8,38,781
2% markupExchange rate83.30
SWIFT fee₹3,332
Documentation fee₹0
Platform fee₹0
GST (18%)₹0
You receive₹8,29,668
0% markupExchange rate85.00
SWIFT fee₹0
Documentation fee₹0
Platform fee₹2,465
GST (18%)₹444
You receive₹8,47,091
SBI vs IDFC First: understanding the key differences for exporters
While both SBI and IDFC First let Indian exporters receive international payments, they differ in the rate applied, the fees taken before the money lands, how you get your FIRA, and how much room you have to negotiate. Here is how they compare side by side.| Features | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex markup | TT buying rate, markup can start around 1% and is often higher | Typically there is a 1-3% markup from the mid market rate. | Zero, live mid-market |
| Rate you are quoted | Card rate published, actual rate applied fixed at time of credit | Differ from published rate, please verify from your FIRA | Same rate for everyone, shown before you receive |
| Transaction fee | around Rs. 500 per remittance for non-credit customers, plus GST and SWIFT fee - nil otherwise | Correspondent banks take $30-50 from transaction | $19 up to $2k, $29 up to $10k, 0.3% above |
| Cost on a small invoice | For non-export-credit customers, the ~Rs. 500 processing fee plus margin hits small invoices hardest | Fixed correspondent bank deduction plus an FX markup increasing overall cost | Flat $19, the share falls as the invoice grows |
| Settlement time | 2 to 5 business days end to end (mostly SWIFT transit); SBI's own crediting is usually 1 to 2 banking days | 2 to 3 working days by SWIFT, 4 to 6 days is common | 24 hours |
| FIRA | e-FIRC to EDPMS, Rs. 200 per usage | Needs to be requested for every transaction | Free, instant, one per payment |
| Who it suits | Exporters who already bank with SBI, especially those with an export credit facility | Exporters who want a bank with no inward remittance or FIRC fees and are willing to accept the exchange rate markup as the cost, long standing relationship with IDFC First bank | Exporters receiving $2,000 or more a month |
See what our clients say about us
Quotes paraphrased from public G2, Trustpilot, and Reddit threads from Indian exporters.100+ reviews
"I want to spend my time growing my business, not negotiating exchange rates every time I make an international payment. The process should be simple and predictable."
AbhishekCEO, Aidetic"We banked with the same private bank for nine years and never questioned the rate. When we checked one month of FIRAs against mid-market, the spread was larger than our entire logistics bill."
"Every payment meant a form, a follow-up for the FIRA, and a call to the relationship manager to find out where the money was. Now it just arrives and the certificate is already there."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bank has better forex rates for exporters, State Bank of India (SBI) or IDFC FIRST Bank?
State Bank of India (SBI): The gap to the mid-market rate can start from around 1% and varies by account type and your relationship with the bank. IDFC FIRST Bank: Typically there is a 1-3% markup from the mid market rate. Neither bank converts at the live mid-market rate, so compare the rate on your FIRA against the mid-market rate for that day to see what you actually paid.What fees do State Bank of India (SBI) and IDFC FIRST Bank charge on inward remittances?
State Bank of India (SBI): SWIFT fees plus a processing fee depending on business type, typically around Rs. 500 per remittance IDFC FIRST Bank: IDFC does not charge anything to credit an inward remittance. It is free across every current account tier. Correspondent banks typically deduct $30-50 before the transfer even reaches IDFCHow long does an international payment take with State Bank of India (SBI) vs IDFC FIRST Bank?
State Bank of India (SBI): End to end, an inward export payment usually takes 2 to 5 business days IDFC FIRST Bank: Once funds reach IDFC's nostro account, the credit lands in your account within 1 to 2 days. Add a few days if compliance raises a query. Total time can be 3-5 daysHow do I get a FIRA or e-FIRC from State Bank of India (SBI) or IDFC FIRST Bank?
State Bank of India (SBI): SBI reports e-FIRC to EDPMS. It costs Rs. 200 for usage, can vary according to account type IDFC FIRST Bank: FIRC and e-FIRC can be requested per transaction, they don't charge anything additional for the documentWho is State Bank of India (SBI) best suited for, and who should pick IDFC FIRST Bank?
State Bank of India (SBI) suits: Best for existing SBI exporters with an export credit facility and for marginal currencies as it has a wide network. IDFC FIRST Bank suits: Exporters who want a bank with no inward remittance or FIRC fees and are willing to accept the exchange rate markup as the cost, long standing relationship with IDFC First bank.Is there a cheaper alternative to State Bank of India (SBI) and IDFC FIRST Bank for receiving export payments?
Skydo converts at the live mid-market rate with zero forex markup and a flat fee: $19 up to $2,000, $29 up to $10,000, and 0.3% above that. There is no correspondent deduction because you receive into a local account abroad, settlement takes 24 hours, and a FIRA is issued free with every payment.Ready to Save More on International Payments?
Start receiving global payments with Skydo and keep more of what you earn.Bengaluru, Karnataka
Second Floor, Indiqube Serenity, Phase 2, 31, Hosur Rd,near Vishal Megamart, Muneswara Nagar, Sector 6, HSR Layout,Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560068
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