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Does Seasaw handle DGFT compliance?

Yes, Seasaw automates DGFT EBRC applications, shipping bill regularisation, export bill regularisation, and IEC management, reducing errors and penalties.

Can Seasaw process GST refunds?

Yes, Seasaw supports GST refund applications with complete documentation, audit trails, and GSTR reconciliation for end-to-end automation.

Does Seasaw integrate with ICEGATE?

Yes, Seasaw integrates with ICEGATE for customs e-filing, BoE, Shipping Bills, and IGST refund processing, providing complete customs compliance automation.

Is Seasaw suitable for e-commerce exporters?

Yes, Seasaw is built specifically for Indian e-commerce exporters, Amazon sellers, Shopify merchants, and D2C brands, providing real-time reconciliation and AI-powered workflows.

RBI

Which RBI purpose code should I use?

All 16 FETERS receipt code groups (P0001. P1590), which code to use for goods vs services vs e-commerce, freelancer mapping, and EDPMS linking.

By Aaryan Kakani · 2026-08-10 · 3 min read

What is an RBI purpose code?

A purpose code is a 5-character identifier (like P0802) that every Authorised Dealer (AD) bank must tag on inward and outward foreign exchange transactions when reporting to RBI under the FETERS (Foreign Exchange Transactions Electronic Reporting System).

The code tells RBI what the money is for. Export proceeds, software services, freight, royalties, etc. It appears on your FIRC / e-FIRA , in your EDPMS entry, and on your bank's forex transaction advice.

How to read a purpose code

Receipt (inward remittance).

= Payment (outward).

Group number. Computer & Information Services

Specific purpose. Software implementation / consultancy

Which purpose codes are for goods exports?

Group 01 covers all export of goods receipts. The specific code depends on how the payment is routed:

Which purpose code for software and IT services?

Group 08 covers Computer & Information Services. This is the most relevant group for IT companies, SaaS businesses, and software freelancers.

Which code for common IT scenarios?

SaaS subscription income

→ P0802

Custom software development (no SOFTEX)

→ P0802

Software export via STPI/SEZ (SOFTEX filed)

→ P0101

IT consulting / implementation

→ P0802

Data analytics / processing services

→ P0803

App maintenance contracts

→ P0804

Which code for other business services?

Group 10 covers professional and business services that aren't software-specific. Freelancers in design, marketing, legal, accounting, and consulting use codes from this group.

Freelancer quick reference

Graphic design / UI-UX

→ P1007 (advertising & market research) or P1019

Digital marketing / SEO

→ P1007

Management consulting

→ P1006

Content writing / copywriting

→ P1019 (other services)

CA / tax / bookkeeping

→ P1005

Architecture / civil engineering

→ P1009

Video / film production

→ P1101 (audio-visual services)

Complete receipt purpose code list (all groups)

All 16 groups from RBI FETERS Annexure II. Groups most relevant to exporters are highlighted.

Which purpose code for e-commerce exports?

E-commerce exporters face a unique challenge. Payments arrive through aggregators (Amazon, PayPal, Payoneer, Stripe) rather than directly against a shipping bill. The purpose code depends on the route:

E-commerce purpose code decision tree

Direct buyer payment against a shipping bill

P0101

P0102

(standard goods export)

Payment via Amazon / marketplace aggregator

P0104

(receipts not covered by GR/PP/SOFTEX/EC copy)

Advance payment before shipment (any channel)

P0103

Digital product / SaaS subscription (no physical goods)

P0802

(software services)

What happens if the wrong purpose code is used?

A wrong purpose code creates a mismatch in EDPMS. Your bank's inward remittance record won't link to the correct shipping bill or SOFTEX entry. Left unresolved, this can escalate to a caution listing by RBI.

How to fix a wrong purpose code

Write to your AD bank requesting purpose code amendment
Attach the correct supporting documents. Invoice, contract, shipping bill with SB number
Bank submits correction in EDPMS with the amended purpose code
Verify the corrected FIRC/e-FIRA shows the right code
Confirm the EDPMS entry now matches your shipping bill

How do purpose codes link to EDPMS?

EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) tracks every export shipment from shipping bill filing to payment realisation. The purpose code is the key that links the money side (bank's inward remittance) to the goods side (customs shipping bill).

EDPMS matching flow

You ship goods → Customs generates shipping bill (SB number in EDPMS)
Buyer pays → Bank receives inward remittance, tags purpose code (e.g., P0102)
Bank reports to EDPMS with: amount, date, purpose code, your IEC, SB reference
EDPMS auto-matches remittance to shipping bill if purpose code is from Group 01
Match successful → entry moves to "Closed" status
Match fails (wrong code, partial payment, missing SB ref) → entry stays "Open"

Sources & citations

RBI FETERS (Foreign Exchange Transactions Electronic Reporting System). Annexure II: Receipt Purpose Codes, Annexure III: Payment Purpose Codes. Published by Reserve Bank of India, Department of Statistics and Information Management. Purpose codes are part of the reporting framework under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999).

Update history

2026-08-10 First published.