Bank Charges for Inward Remittance in India: The Complete Cost Guide

When you receive international payments, the amount that hits your bank account rarely matches what your client sent. Banks deduct processing fees, apply forex markups, and sometimes mysterious intermediary charges eat into your hard-earned money. For Indian freelancers, exporters, and businesses receiving funds from abroad, understanding these deductions isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for accurate financial planning.

An inward remittance is simply the receipt of funds from outside India into your Indian bank account. While banks advertise attractive flat fees like ₹200 or ₹500, the real cost often hides in exchange rate margins and sneaky intermediary deductions. This guide covers bank charges for inward remittance in India across major providers and reveals modern alternatives that could save you thousands.

What Are the Components of Inward Remittance Charges?

The fee you pay isn’t a single charge but four distinct components working against your bottom line.

Flat Processing Fees

• This fixed amount charged by your receiving bank ranges from ₹150 to ₹1,000 for processing the transaction
  • Banks typically charge higher fees for larger amounts: ₹150 for amounts up to ₹75,000, but ₹750 or more for transfers exceeding ₹7,50,000
  • Priority banking customers or those with premium accounts may see these fees waived or reduced

Foreign Exchange (Forex) Markups

• Banks add a margin to the Interbank Exchange Rate (IBR) before converting your funds to INR
  • This spread typically ranges from 1.0% to 3.5%, varying by bank and your relationship with them
  • Since it’s percentage-based, a 2% markup on ₹10,00,000 costs you ₹20,000 in hidden fees

Correspondent and Intermediary Bank Fees

• The SWIFT network routes money through intermediary banks that each take their cut
  • These banks deduct handling fees ranging from ₹500 to ₹2,000 ($15-$30) from your principal amount
  • Unless your sender selects the ‘OUR’ instruction mode (sender pays all fees), you bear these costs

GST and FIRC Charges

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies at 18% on all service fees and forex conversion charges
  • Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) issuance costs ₹100 to ₹1,000, with electronic versions typically costing ₹250-₹550
  • Physical FIRCs on security paper cost more and may include courier charges

Comparison: Inward Remittance Charges by Top Banks

Fee structures vary significantly across Indian banks, making comparison essential for cost optimisation.

State Bank of India (SBI)

• Flat fees range from ₹100 to ₹500 depending on transaction amount
  • Forex markup typically lower than private banks at 1.0-2.5%
  • Wide branch network helps with query resolution and manual FIRC requests

HDFC Bank

• Processing fees follow a tiered structure based on remittance value
  • Popular for business accounts but FIRC issuance charges can reach ₹1,000
  • Digital FIRC process available for streamlined compliance

ICICI Bank

• Standard charges range from ₹150 to ₹1,000 with waivers for high-value accounts
  • Online tracking capabilities help monitor inward transfer status
  • USD to INR conversion markup typically sits at 2.0-3.0%

Axis Bank

• Inward wire transfer fees start at ₹200 for basic accounts
  • Special offerings for exporters and current account holders include reduced fees
  • Forex spreads competitive with other private banks at 1.5-3.0%

Kotak Mahindra Bank

• Charges for inward remittance processing range from ₹250 to ₹1,000
  • Digital banking focus benefits startups with automated processes
  • Forex rates generally higher than public sector banks like SBI

Summary of Bank Charges for Foreign Remittances

• Private banks offer superior digital experiences but charge higher forex markups than PSU banks
  • Total costs including all components can reach 4-5% of your remittance value
  • Account type and banking relationship significantly impact final charges

Explore Razorpay’s Global Payment Solutions

Does the Purpose of Remittance Affect the Charges?

While base processing fees remain similar, tax implications and compliance costs vary dramatically by remittance purpose.

Personal Transfers and Family Maintenance

Personal transfers and family maintenance remittances are among the most common forms of inward remittance into India. Under the Income Tax Act, gifts received from “relatives” such as parents, siblings, or children are fully exempt from tax, regardless of the amount. However, if the sender is a non-relative, transfers exceeding ₹50,000 in a financial year may be treated as taxable income for the recipient. This distinction makes family maintenance remittances particularly tax-efficient, as they usually fall under the exempt category.

From a compliance perspective, documentation requirements are minimal. Banks typically require only a disposal instruction or a simple declaration to process such transfers. Unlike business remittances, there is no need for elaborate contracts or invoices. However, all inward remittances must comply with FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) guidelines, ensuring that funds are received through authorized channels.

It is important to note that while income tax exemptions apply, GST on currency conversion is levied at 18%. This charge is applied on the service component of converting foreign currency into INR, not on the principal remittance amount itself. As a result, even tax-free personal transfers incur some cost due to conversion charges.

Business Payments and Freelance Income

• Business receipts require specific Purpose Codes like P0802 for software services
  • FIRC becomes mandatory to prove export status and claim GST refunds
  • Missing FIRC documentation creates compliance issues, adding hidden costs through penalties

Alternatives to Traditional Bank Transfers

Traditional banks no longer monopolise international payments, with newer options offering significant savings.

Money Transfer Operators (MTOs)

• Services like Wise or Western Union provide transparent fee structures
  • Pros: Mid-market exchange rates, faster processing (1-3 days), clear pricing
  • Cons: Limited B2B invoicing features, may not issue FIRCs directly for business transactions

Freelance Marketplaces and Payment Gateways

• Platforms include PayPal, Payoneer, or direct withdrawals from Upwork
  • Pros: Convenient integration with work platforms, instant availability
  • Cons: High fees (3-4% plus fixed charges), poor exchange rates eating into earnings

Razorpay MoneySaver Export Account

• Specialised solution designed for Indian exporters and freelancers
  • Local virtual accounts in US, UK, Europe eliminate SWIFT fees completely
  • Transparent forex rates closer to interbank rates save 2-3% per transaction
  • Automated FIRC issuance removes compliance headaches without extra charges

How to Calculate the Real Cost of Your Transfer

Understanding your actual costs requires breaking down each component systematically.

Step 1: Identify the Sender’s Fee (usually paid by your client, but verify)

Step 2: Estimate Intermediary Deductions (typically $15-$30 or ₹1,250-₹2,500)

Step 3: Calculate Forex Loss = (Bank Rate – Mid-market Rate) × Transfer Amount

Step 4: Add Flat Bank Fee + GST at 18% on all service charges

Formula: Total Cost = Forex Loss + (Flat Fee + GST) + Intermediary Deduction

Tips to Minimize Bank Charges on Foreign Remittances

• Negotiate Rates: High-volume businesses should negotiate better forex spreads directly with branch managers
  • Bulk Transfers: Consolidate multiple small payments to reduce impact of flat fees
  • Choose ‘OUR’ Charges: Request clients select “Sender pays all fees” in SWIFT messages
  • Use Virtual Accounts: Bypass SWIFT intermediaries entirely with local payment rails
  • Check FIRC Costs: Compare banks’ FIRC issuance fees before opening accounts

How Razorpay MoneySaver Export Account Reduces Remittance Costs

The traditional banking approach forces you through expensive SWIFT networks and opaque forex conversions. Razorpay‘s solution tackles each cost component directly.

Bypass SWIFT Fees: By opening virtual accounts in key regions like the US, UK, and Europe, you can accept payments via local networks (such as ACH and SEPA).

Save on Forex: The account offers competitive exchange rates with transparent pricing. These rates typically undercut the high markups charged by traditional banks, ensuring you retain more revenue.

Automated Compliance: You receive an automated digital Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC) for every eligible transaction at no extra cost. This streamlines tax compliance without manual requests or additional bank fees.

Conclusion

Bank charges for inward remittances combine visible flat fees with hidden forex markups and intermediary deductions that significantly reduce your receipts. For Indian businesses receiving international payments regularly, these costs compound into substantial revenue losses. Traditional banks may charge anywhere from 3% to 5% in total costs].

Modern solutions like virtual accounts eliminate SWIFT fees and provide transparent forex rates, keeping more money in your pocket. Review your recent bank statements to calculate exactly how much bank charges for inward remittance in India cost your business, then explore alternatives that automate compliance while reducing fees.

FAQs

1. Do Indian banks charge for inward remittance?

Yes, most banks charge a flat processing fee (ranging from ₹200 to ₹1,000), a foreign exchange markup (1-3.5%), and applicable GST on these service charges].

2. What is the typical forex markup on inward remittances?

Banks typically add a margin of 1% to 3.5% above the interbank exchange rate, which often constitutes the largest portion of the total cost for the recipient].

3. Is an FIRC mandatory for all inward remittances?

FIRC is mandatory for the export of goods and services to claim GST refunds and prove the foreign nature of funds, but it is generally not required for personal gifts or family maintenance transfers].

4. How much GST is charged on foreign inward remittance fees?

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18% is applied strictly to the service fees and the currency conversion charges levied by the bank, not on the total remittance amount.

5. Can I avoid intermediary bank fees on wire transfers?

Yes, you can avoid intermediary SWIFT fees, which typically range from $15 to $30, by using virtual account solutions that allow you to receive funds via local payment rails in the sender’s country.

6. Which bank has the lowest inward remittance charges in India?

Public sector banks like SBI often have lower flat fees, but modern fintech platforms generally offer better overall value by providing exchange rates that are much closer to the live mid-market rate.

7. Are personal gifts from abroad taxable in India?

Gifts from lineal relatives are generally tax-exempt, but gifts from non-relatives exceeding ₹50,000 in a financial year may be subject to income tax under “Income from Other Sources.