How Can Shopify D2C Brands in India Receive International Payments in 2026?

• Ticket size: Most store orders are single retail parcels worth tens or a few hundred dollars. Bulk orders from overseas stockists, boutiques or corporate gifting buyers can run into thousands of dollars and are often invoiced separately from the store.
• Currencies: Shoppers usually pay in USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD or AED, depending on the markets the store sells to. The FEMA (Manner of Receipt and Payment) Regulations, 2023 allow buyers outside the Asian Clearing Union to pay in INR or any foreign currency.
• Geography: Buyers are individual consumers spread across many countries, often reached through social media ads and the Indian diaspora. Repeat wholesale buyers tend to be concentrated in the US, UK, UAE, Canada and Australia.
• Payment methods: Shoppers pay at checkout by debit or credit card, or through other methods the connected provider offers. Shopify's own payment service is not offered to stores in India, so a store connects a third-party payment provider to collect payments. Wholesale buyers usually pay by bank transfer.

1. 1Shopper's card or accountDeduction: Possibly a foreign transaction fee charged to the shopper by the card issuer. The shopper pays the store price in the checkout currency, and any issuer fee falls on the shopper, not the brand.
2. 2Payment providerDeduction: A processing fee per order and a currency conversion margin. The provider connected to the store collects the payment, converts it and settles INR, or foreign currency where allowed, to the brand's bank account.
3. 3ShopifyDeduction: A third-party transaction fee that depends on the plan, plus the subscription. Shopify's [pricing page](https://www.shopify.com/in/pricing) says third-party transaction fees may apply when a store uses a third-party payment provider.
4. 4GST on feesDeduction: GST on fees charged by an India-based provider. Fees charged to the brand by an Indian provider or bank are usually billed with GST added.
5. 5Refunds and chargebacksDeduction: Refunded amounts, disputed amounts and any dispute fee. Card payments can be reversed after the parcel ships, which reduces what the brand finally realises.
6. 6Brand's bank accountDeduction: None, unless an inward charge applies at the bank. The credit should carry the remittance details the AD bank needs to match receipts to courier or postal shipping bills.

The table ranks platforms with full published pricing for USD by the INR received on USD 250, then lists other business platforms that accept USD, unranked. Fees were checked on 30 Sept 2026 or later.

Each row applies the platform's published fee, FX markup and 18% GST on the fee to the mid-market rate of ₹94.86 per USD for 3 Nov 2026.

• Many small bills: Each courier or postal export creates its own shipping bill, so a busy store builds up many small EDPMS entries. Regulation 4(2) lets the AD bank close entries up to ₹10 lakh on the exporter's declaration, including a quarterly bulk declaration. See EDPMS closure.
• Order matching: Paragraph 11(h) of the RBI Master Direction on Payment Aggregators requires a cross-border aggregator to give the AD bank the documents or information needed to close EDPMS entries. Check that the provider can map settlements to individual orders and shipping bills before choosing it.
• Card network route: The same Master Direction says a card transaction where the card network handles the foreign exchange settlement and the aggregator receives local currency is not PA-CB activity. Ask a domestic gateway how it reports these sales as exports. See PA-CB vs OPGSP.
• Returns: From 1 April 2026, CBIC removed the ₹10 lakh value cap per courier export consignment and simplified re-import of returned or rejected e-commerce exports, per a PIB release. Refunds on returned parcels reduce realisation, so record them against the original order.
• Chargebacks: A chargeback after dispatch leaves a shipping bill with less money realised. Regulation 6 lets the AD bank allow a reduction in export value, and for shipping bills up to ₹10 lakh the exporter's declaration is enough. See chargebacks on international payments.

Shopify D2C brands in India exporting goods need an IEC, an AD code registered with Customs, a shipping bill for each export and payments matched in EDPMS. Under the FEMA (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, the EDF for goods shipped through an EDI port is deemed submitted as part of the shipping bill.

• IEC: Para 2.05 of Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Chapter 2 says no export of goods can be made without an Importer-Exporter Code unless exempted. The IEC is the same as the entity's PAN, is issued online by DGFT and must be updated every year between April and June. See how to apply for an IEC.
• AD code: Customs links each shipping bill to the exporter's AD bank through the AD code. The ICEGATE FAQs say the AD code is registered online from the user profile on ICEGATE. An older DGFT e-commerce handbook lists the IEC, GSTIN and AD code among details given to the courier. See AD code registration.
• Shipping bill and EDF: Regulation 3(1) requires a goods exporter to declare the full export value in the EDF at the time of export, and at an EDI port the EDF is part of the shipping bill. The DGFT e-commerce handbook says the authorised courier files the Courier Shipping Bill, CSB-V for commercial shipments, on the Express Cargo Clearance System.
• EDPMS: Regulation 4(2) requires the AD bank to close or update the EDPMS entry when it credits the export receipt. The older DGFT e-commerce handbook says courier exports are registered in EDPMS while postal exports were not updated there at the time. Check the current position with the AD bank. See checking outstanding shipping bills.
• eBRC: DGFT's eBRC system receives inward remittance messages directly from banks, and exporters self-certify eBRCs against one or more of them. The IRM utilisation report links remittances to shipping bills and invoices. See eBRC on DGFT.
• FIRA and purpose code: FIRA is not a term defined in RBI regulations; banks and providers issue an inward remittance certificate or advice. Goods receipts use Group 01 of the RBI purpose code list, such as P0103, "Advance receipts against export contracts, which will be covered later by GR/PP/SOFTEX/SDF". Confirm the code with the AD bank or provider. See purpose code for export of goods.
• Realisation: Regulation 5 requires the full export value of goods to be realised within nine months from the date of shipment, or twelve months if invoiced or settled in INR, under the 22 September 2026 amendment. Goods sent to an overseas warehouse count from the date of sale there. See export realisation period.

Exports by Shopify D2C brands in India are zero-rated supplies under IGST Act section 16. A brand can ship under an LUT without paying IGST and claim unused input tax credit, or, where eligible, pay IGST and claim it back. Profit is business income, and resident proprietors and firms other than LLPs may use section 58.

• LUT route: File a Letter of Undertaking in Form GST RFD-11 before exporting to ship without paying IGST under CGST Rule 96A. Unused input tax credit can then be claimed as a refund. See LUT filing on the GST portal.
• IGST paid route: Under CGST Rule 96, the shipping bill is treated as the refund application for IGST paid on exported goods once the export manifest is filed, a valid GSTR-3B is furnished and Aadhaar authentication is done. Invoice details in GSTR-1 must match the shipping bill, or the refund waits.
• Unrealised exports: CGST Rule 96B requires an exporter of goods who got a GST refund to repay it with interest, to the extent sale proceeds are not realised within the FEMA period. Repayment is due within thirty days after that period, including any extension, ends.
• Shopify billing: A store located in India is charged GST on its Shopify fees unless it adds a GSTIN, per Shopify help on GST on Shopify billing. The exemption applies only to invoices issued after the GSTIN is added. Ask a GST adviser how to account for tax on these imported services.
• Section 58: The Income-tax Act, 2025 moves old section 44AD into section 58 from tax year 2026-27. For a resident individual, HUF or firm other than an LLP with turnover up to ₹2 crore, or ₹3 crore if cash receipts are within 5 percent, profit is taken as 6 percent of receipts through banking or online modes and 8 percent of other receipts, or a higher actual profit.
• Withholding: Retail shoppers abroad do not usually deduct tax from what they pay. Wholesale buyers or overseas platforms may ask for tax information under their own country's law. Keep any deduction certificate and check with a tax adviser whether a foreign tax credit can be claimed in India.

Rules and rails are linked to official sources below with the dates they were checked. Platform figures come from each platform's own pages, checked on 30 Sept 2026 or later, and RBI authorisation was checked against RBI's published list. Rates are XE live mid-market rates, dated 3 Nov 2026. The method is on the methodology page.

1. Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026, Notification No. FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB (amended up to 22 September 2026), Reg 3(1) EDF at the time of export, deemed submitted as part of shipping bill at EDI port; Reg 4(2) AD credits after genuineness check and closes/updates EDPMS; shipping bill up to ₹10 lakh closed on exporter declaration, quarterly bulk declaration allowed; Reg 5(1) nine months from date of shipment (goods), from date of sale for warehouse exports, twelve months if invoiced or settled in INR, AD may extend; Reg 6 reduction, declaration enough up to ₹10 lakh per shipping bill (checked 8 Oct 2026)
2. Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (22 September 2026), In force 1 October 2026; Regulation 5(1): 'fifteen months' replaced by 'nine months'; 'eighteen months' replaced by 'twelve months' (checked 8 Oct 2026)
3. Foreign Exchange Management (Manner of Receipt and Payment) Regulations, 2023, Regulation 3(2)(I)(a): countries other than ACU members may pay in Indian Rupees or in any foreign currency (checked 8 Oct 2026)
4. RBI (Regulation of Payment Aggregators) Directions, 2025 (Master Direction), Para 4(i)(ii) Note 2: a card transaction where the foreign exchange settlement is facilitated by a card network and the aggregator receives local currency is not PA-CB activity; Para 11(d): maximum ₹25 lakh per inward or outward PA-CB transaction; Para 11(h): PA-CB to provide documents/information to the exporter's AD bank for EDPMS closure (checked 8 Oct 2026)
5. RBI circular: Guidelines to facilitate faster cross-border inward payments (9 April 2026), Para 3: banks to endeavour to credit inward payments received during forex market hours within the same business day; para 4: effective six months from the circular date (checked 8 Oct 2026)
6. RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84: Purpose codes for reporting under FETERS (29 February 2012), annex, Group 01 Exports (of Goods): P0103 "Advance receipts against export contracts, which will be covered later by GR/PP/SOFTEX/SDF" (other than Nepal and Bhutan) (checked 8 Oct 2026)
7. RBI Master Direction - Deposits and Accounts, Para 3.1 EEFC account: foreign exchange earnings may be credited (checked 8 Oct 2026)
8. DGFT, Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Chapter 2: General Provisions Regarding Imports and Exports, Para 2.05: IEC same as PAN, issued online; no export or import of goods without an IEC unless exempted; update every year during April-June (checked 8 Oct 2026)
9. ICEGATE FAQs (Indian Customs EDI Gateway), 'As per the advisory user can do online registration of AD Code by accessing user profile on ICEGATE.' (checked 8 Oct 2026)
10. DGFT Electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) page, eBRC based on electronic Inward Remittance Messages transmitted directly by banks to DGFT; exporters self-certify eBRCs against one or multiple inward remittances; IRM utilisation report for IRM, shipping bill, invoice and eBRC (checked 8 Oct 2026)
11. DGFT: E-Commerce Exports Handbook for MSMEs, Courier Shipping Bill filed on ECCS; CSB-5 for commercial shipments; for courier exports the Authorized Courier files the shipping bill; courier given GST, IEC, HSN code and AD code; 'While Courier Exports are registered under EDPMS, exports through Postal Route are not updated in EDPMS as on date' (older handbook; some limits since changed) (checked 8 Oct 2026)
12. PIB (Ministry of Finance): CBIC operationalises comprehensive reforms for e-commerce exports and courier trade from April 1, 2026 (31 March 2026), Complete removal of the ₹10 lakh value cap per consignment on courier exports from 1 April 2026; simplified, risk-based re-import of returned or rejected goods including e-commerce exports; dedicated return module in ECCS (checked 8 Oct 2026)
13. Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, section 16 (CBIC), Section 16(1)(a): export of goods is a zero rated supply; 16(3): refund of unutilised ITC on supply without payment of integrated tax under bond or LUT; 16(4): notified classes of persons or goods may pay integrated tax and claim refund (checked 8 Oct 2026)
14. Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, Rule 96 (CBIC), Shipping bill deemed application for refund of IGST paid on exported goods once export manifest filed, valid GSTR-3B furnished and Aadhaar authentication completed; GSTR-1 mismatch defers (checked 8 Oct 2026)
15. Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, Rule 96A (CBIC), Bond or Letter of Undertaking in Form GST RFD-11 prior to export, for export without payment of integrated tax (checked 8 Oct 2026)
16. Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, Rule 96B (CBIC), Refund on export of goods to be deposited with interest within thirty days of expiry of the FEMA period, or extended period, to the extent of non-realisation; not recovered if RBI writes off on merits (checked 8 Oct 2026)
17. Income Tax Department: Objective and scope of the new Act (Income-tax Act, 2025), FAQ 25: presumptive taxation schemes consolidated into one section (section 58) in the Income Tax Act, 2025; 1961 Act repealed on 01.04.2026 (checked 8 Oct 2026)
18. The Income-tax Act, 2025 (No. 30 of 2025), Gazette of India, Section 58(2) Table serial 1: turnover up to ₹2 crore or ₹3 crore where cash receipts do not exceed 5%; 6% of receipts by specified banking or online mode and 8% of the rest; 58(11)(a) eligible assessee: resident individual, HUF or firm other than LLP (checked 8 Oct 2026)
19. Shopify Help Center: Shopify Payments supported countries, India not listed; 'If your country isn't listed ... then you need to use a third-party payment provider.' (checked 8 Oct 2026)
20. Shopify Help Center: Configuring third-party payment providers, Add a provider from the Payments page of Shopify admin; may need to submit and verify bank account information with the provider; only one credit card payment provider can be activated at a time (checked 8 Oct 2026)
21. Shopify India pricing page, 'Third-party transaction fees may apply when you use a third-party payment provider (instead of Shopify Payments). The rate depends on your plan.' (checked 8 Oct 2026)
22. Shopify Help Center: GST on Shopify billing (India), Stores in India are charged GST on Shopify fees; providing a GSTIN exempts invoices issued after submission; earlier GST charges cannot be reversed or refunded (checked 8 Oct 2026)
23. Kotak Everyday Savings Account fees and charges, Foreign Inward Remittance certificate (Branch Request) INR 100/Request; GST on Foreign Currency Conversion; fees exclusive of GST (checked 6 Oct 2026)
24. HDFC Bank: Remittance Services Fees & Charges, Inward Remittance Charge: No Charge; FIRC Charge for Inward Remittance & FCY Cheque Collection INR 200 per FIRC; GST slabs on amount of currency exchanged (checked 6 Oct 2026)
25. Wise India: Fees for receiving money (Business), Conversion fee depends on the currency; eFIRC for every transfer; GST 18% of (conversion fee + eFIRC fee); calculator (checked 6 Oct 2026)
26. Razorpay MoneySaver Export Account (International Bank Transfers) pricing, Standard Plan: 0% FX markup, 1% fee, FlashLinks 2%, GST applicable, flat fee of INR 1,000 on transactions below INR 1,00,000, setup and AMC INR 0 (checked 6 Oct 2026)
27. Stripe India pricing, International cards with USD/other currency presentment 4.3% + 2% if currency conversion is required; Mastercard and Visa cards issued outside India 3% + 2%; American Express outside India 3.5% + 2%; dispute received INR 1,000.00 (checked 7 Oct 2026)
28. PayPal India Merchant Fees, Receiving international transactions; Currency Conversions (3.0% converting balance and payments received; 4.00% all other cases); Withdrawals Out of PayPal; Dispute Fees; Other Fees (Last Updated 28 March 2024) (checked 6 Oct 2026)
29. Skydo homepage (pricing and fee calculator), Know what you pay; calculator showing GST 18% of transaction fee (checked 6 Oct 2026)
30. Airwallex Help: Eligible Countries and Territories, INDIA IN - AWX Legal Entity SINGAPORE (checked 7 Oct 2026)