RBI Purpose Codes for Inward Remittance to India: Reference List
Complete guide to RBI's purposes codes for inward remittances to India from abroad.
RBI Purpose Codes for Outward Remittance from India: Reference List
Need to send money from India to another country? Sending international transfer from India involves selecting a Purpose Code. It's a requirement set by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that you'll need to handle for your transfer to go smoothly. This guide explains what these codes mean for outward transfers and introduces Wise as a convenient option to send money abroad for education, travel, or medical purposes.
What is a Purpose Code of Remittance from India?
A Purpose Code is a classification system used to label the reason for international transfers from India. These codes are mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to monitor and regulate foreign exchange transactions.
Guide to Understanding RBI Purpose Codes 👉
Outward Remittances Purpose Codes in India
Outward remittances refer to money sent abroad from India. To maintain transparency and comply with regulatory requirements, you have to specify the purpose of each transfer using the correct Purpose Code. For you, it just means you need to select the code that best describes your reason for sending the money.
The good news? Your money transfer service will usually prompt you to pick one when you set up your transfer. Platforms like Wise build this step right into their process, making it easy to ensure your transfers are compliant.
RBI Purpose Codes for Outward Remittances from India
The RBI has defined specific purpose codes for different types of outward remittances. Here is a simplified table explaining some of the key purpose codes:
| Purpose Code | Description |
|---|---|
| S0001 | Indian investment abroad - equity (shares) |
| S0002 | Indian investment abroad - debt |
| S0003 | Indian investment abroad - branches |
| S0004 | Indian investment abroad - subsidiaries |
| S0005 | Indian investment abroad - real estate |
| S0006 | Return of foreign investment in India - equity |
| S0007 | Return of foreign investment in India - debt |
| S0008 | Return of foreign investment in India - real estate |
| S0009 | Return of foreign portfolio investment in India - equity (shares) |
| S0010 | Return of foreign portfolio investment in India - debt |
| S0011 | Loans to non-residents |
| S0012 | Repayment of long/medium-term loans from non-residents |
| S0013 | Repayment of short-term loans from non-residents |
| S0014 | Return of non-resident deposits (FCNRB/NRERA etc.) |
| S0015 | Repayment of bank loans & overdrafts |
| S0016 | Sale of foreign currency |
| S0017 | Purchase of intangible assets |
| S0018 | Other capital payments |
| S0101 | Advance payment for imports |
| S0102 | Payment for imports |
| S0103 | Imports by diplomatic missions |
| S0104 | Intermediary trade |
| S0190 | Imports below Rs. 500,000 |
| S0201 | Payments for surplus freight/passenger fare by foreign shipping companies |
| S0202 | Operating expenses of Indian shipping companies abroad |
| S0203 | Freight on imports - Shipping companies |
| S0204 | Freight on exports - Shipping companies |
| S0205 | Operational leasing (with crew) - Shipping companies |
| S0206 | Booking passages abroad - Shipping companies |
| S0207 | Payments for surplus freight/passenger fare by foreign airlines |
| S0208 | Operating expenses of Indian airlines companies operating abroad |
| S0209 | Freight on imports - Airlines companies |
| S0210 | Freight on exports - Airlines companies |
| S0211 | Operational leasing (with crew) - Airlines companies |
| S0212 | Booking of passages abroad - Airlines companies |
| S0213 | Payments for stevedoring, demurrage, port handling charges etc. |
| S0214 | Port handling charges (Shipping companies) |
| S0215 | Port handling charges, etc. (Airlines companies) |
| S0216 | Payments for Passenger Shipping companies |
| S0217 | Other payments by Shipping companies |
| S0218 | Payments for Passenger Airlines companies |
| S0219 | Other Payments by Airlines companies |
| S0220 | Payments on account of freight under other modes of transport |
| S0221 | Payments on account of passenger fare under other modes of transport |
| S0222 | Postal & Courier services by Air |
| S0223 | Postal & Courier services by Sea |
| S0224 | Postal & Courier services by others |
| S0301 | Business travel |
| S0302 | Basic travel quota |
| S0303 | Travel for pilgrimage |
| S0304 | Travel for medical treatment |
| S0305 | Travel for education |
| S0306 | Other travel (international credit cards) |
| S0401 | Postal services |
| S0402 | Courier services |
| S0403 | Telecommunication services |
| S0404 | Satellite services |
| S0501 | Construction projects abroad by Indian companies |
| S0502 | Payments for construction projects in India by foreign companies |
| S0601 | Life insurance premium |
| S0602 | Freight insurance |
| S0603 | Other general insurance premium |
| S0604 | Reinsurance premium |
| S0605 | Auxiliary services (commission on insurance) |
| S0606 | Settlement of claims |
| S0607 | Insurance claim Settlement of non-life insurance; and life insurance |
| S0608 | Life Insurance Claim Settlements |
| S0609 | Standardised guarantee services |
| S0610 | Premium for pension funds |
| S0611 | Periodic pension entitlements |
| S0612 | Invoking of standardised guarantees |
| S0701 | Financial intermediation service charges |
| S0702 | Investment banking fees |
| S0703 | Auxiliary services charges |
| S0801 | Hardware consultancy |
| S0802 | Software implementation/consultancy |
| S0803 | Data processing charges |
| S0804 | Computer repair and maintenance |
| S0805 | News agency services |
| S0806 | Other information services |
| S0807 | Off-site software imports |
| S0808 | Telecommunication services including electronic mail services and voice mail services |
| S0809 | Satellite services including space shuttle and rockets etc. |
| S0901 | Franchises services |
| S0902 | Payment for use of originals or prototypes |
| S1001 | Merchanting services |
| S1002 | Trade related services commission |
| S1003 | Operational leasing services (without crew) - Airlines companies |
| S1004 | Legal services |
| S1005 | Accounting, auditing, book keeping services |
| S1006 | Business and management consultancy services |
| S1007 | Advertising, trade fair service |
| S1008 | Research & Development services |
| S1009 | Architectural services |
| S1010 | Agricultural services |
| S1011 | Payments for maintenance of offices abroad |
| S1012 | Distribution services |
| S1013 | Environmental services |
| S1014 | Engineering Services |
| S1015 | Tax consulting services |
| S1016 | Market research and public opinion polling service |
| S1017 | Publishing and printing services |
| S1018 | Mining services |
| S1019 | Other services |
| S1020 | Commission agent services |
| S1021 | Wholesale and retailing trade services. |
| S1022 | Operational leasing services (without crew) - Shipping companies |
| S1023 | Other Technical Services |
| S1099 | Other services not included elsewhere |
| S1101 | Audio-visual and related services |
| S1102 | Personal, cultural services |
| S1103 | Radio and television services |
| S1104 | Entertainment services |
| S1105 | Museums, library and archival services |
| S1106 | Recreation and sporting activities services |
| S1107 | Education (e.g. fees for correspondence courses abroad) |
| S1108 | Health Service |
| S1109 | Other Personal, Cultural & Recreational services |
| S1201 | Maintenance of Indian embassies abroad |
| S1202 | Remittances by foreign embassies in India |
| S1301 | Remittance for family maintenance and savings |
| S1302 | Remittance towards personal gifts and donations |
| S1303 | Remittance towards donations to religious and charitable institutions abroad |
| S1304 | Remittance towards grants and donations to other governments |
| S1305 | Contributions/donations by the Government to international institutions |
| S1306 | Remittance towards payment / refund of taxes. |
| S1307 | Outflows on account of migrant transfers including personal effects |
| S1401 | Compensation of employees |
| S1402 | Remittance towards interest on Non-Resident deposits |
| S1403 | Remittance towards interest on loans from Non-Residents |
| S1404 | Remittance of interest on debt securities |
| S1405 | Remittance towards interest payment by banks |
| S1406 | Repatriation of profits |
| S1407 | Payment/ repatriation of dividends |
| S1408 | Remittance of profit by FDI enterprises in India |
| S1409 | Remittance of dividends by FDI enterprises in India |
| S1410 | Payment of interest by FDI enterprises in India to their Parent company abroad. |
| S1411 | Remittance of interest income on account of Portfolio Investment in India |
| S1412 | Remittance of dividends on account of Portfolio Investment in India |
| S1501 | Refunds / rebates / reduction in invoice value on account of exports |
| S1502 | Reversal of wrong entries, refunds of amount remitted for non-exports |
| S1503 | Payments by residents for international bidding |
| S1504 | Notional sales when export bills negotiated/ purchased/ discounted are dishonored/crystallised /cancelled and reversed from suspense account |
| S1505 | Deemed Imports (exports between SEZ, EPZs and Domestic tariff areas) |
| S1601 | Payments on account of maintenance and repair services rendered for Vessels |
| S1602 | Payments on account of maintenance and repair services rendered for air- crafts |
| S1701 | Payments for processing of goods |
Note: This table is not exhaustive but covers a significant portion of purpose codes for outward remittances from India.
Meet Wise: Convenient Alternative for International Transfers from India
Wise offers a convenient and transparent online alternative when sending money abroad from India for education, travel, and medical purposes.
With Wise, you get the mid-market exchange rate (the one you usually see on Google) and low, transparent fees shown upfront. No hidden costs or margins, plus fully online process with digital KYC using your PAN and Aadhaar.
Source: RBI Annexure III - NEW PURPOSE CODES FOR REPORTING FOREX TRANSACTIONS PAYMENT PURPOSES (pdf)
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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