What Is the P0805 Purpose Code?

The P0805 purpose code covers money received from abroad for news agency services. RBI lists P0805 in group 08 of the FETERS purpose code list. The code is meant for services of a news agency, such as supplying news reports, photographs and feeds to foreign media. RBI does not publish a longer definition, so confirm borderline cases with your AD bank.

P0805 vs P0806: P0806 is "Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc." in the RBI purpose code list. News agency services point to P0805, while subscriptions and other information services point to P0806. Where the line is unclear, ask your AD bank which code it expects.

Use the P0805 purpose code when a foreign client pays you for news agency services. Typical cases are wire feeds to overseas newspapers, supply of news stories or photographs to foreign broadcasters, and bureau services for a foreign media house. Describe the service plainly on the invoice. Confirm the code with your AD bank before the first receipt.

• Use P0806 instead: Use P0806 (Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.) when the foreign client pays a subscription or other information service fee.
• Use P1099 instead: Ask your AD bank about P1099 (Other services not included elsewhere) when the service fits no listed code and the bank agrees.
• Use P0902 instead: Ask your AD bank about P0902 (Receipts for use, through licensing arrangements, of produced originals or prototypes (such as manuscripts and films), patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial processes, franchises etc.) when the payment is a licence fee for content rights. See the guide on P0902.

The P0805 purpose code is used by news agencies, wire services, photo agencies and bureaus in India that supply news content to foreign media clients. The exporter selects P0805 with the AD bank that receives the foreign currency, and the bank reports it under FETERS in line with A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 of February 29, 2012.

• For example, a Delhi news agency supplies daily wire stories to a Gulf newspaper under a yearly contract and declares each receipt under P0805.
• For example, a Mumbai photo agency provides event coverage to a European broadcaster and receives the monthly fee under P0805.
• For example, a Kolkata bureau gathers regional news reports for a US news organisation and reports the retainer under P0805.
• For example, a Chennai news service sends a regular business news feed to a Singapore media house and uses P0805 for the invoices.

• The foreign client pays a subscription for a newspaper or periodical. Use P0806 (Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.).
• The foreign client pays to advertise or exhibit at a trade fair. Use P1007 (Advertising, trade fair service).
• The foreign client pays for market research or opinion polling. Use P1016 (Market research and public opinion polling service).
• The foreign client pays a licence fee for rights to content. Use P0902 (Receipts for use, through licensing arrangements, of produced originals or prototypes (such as manuscripts and films), patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial processes, franchises etc.).

For the P0805 purpose code, the core documents are the invoice, the agreement with the foreign media client, and a record of the content delivered. From October 01, 2026, the 2026 Export and Import Regulations also apply to exports of services. Keep these papers together so the bank can match each receipt to a service.

• Invoice: Raise invoices that name the client, describe the news service supplied, and show the currency, amount and period covered.
• Agreement: Keep the syndication contract, service agreement or purchase order that shows the service and the fee.
• EDF: Under Regulation 3(2) of the 2026 Regulations, in force from October 01, 2026, an exporter of services submits an Export Declaration Form within 30 days from the end of the month in which the invoice was raised. Check with your AD bank on how this applies to your invoices.
• Delivery records: Keep feed logs, delivery emails or published-credit records that show the service was supplied for the period invoiced.
• Bank requests: Your AD bank may ask for invoice numbers to close the EDPMS entry. Under Regulation 4(2), invoices up to ₹10 lakh can be closed on your declaration that the payment has been realised.

1. Confirm what the foreign client is paying for and check that the description of P0805 (News agency services) fits that service.
2. Open the inward payment in your bank or payment provider's portal, app or branch form when the foreign currency arrives.
3. Select P0805 from the purpose code list, or write the code and its description if the form asks for text.
4. Add the invoice number and a short note on the service in the remarks or supporting document fields, and attach documents when asked.
5. Check that the credit advice or inward remittance certificate shows P0805, and ask your bank or payment provider to correct it if it does not.

• FIRA/FIRC: The inward remittance advice or certificate from your bank or payment provider normally records the purpose of the payment. Keep it with the invoice and contract for each receipt. Check with your AD bank on the format it issues. See the guide on FIRA.
• GST status: A supply to a foreign client is an export of services only when all five conditions in section 2(6) of the IGST Act are met, including payment in convertible foreign exchange or in rupees where RBI permits. News agency services supplied to a foreign client can meet those conditions, but confirm the place of supply and your facts with a tax professional.
• Zero rating: Export of services is a zero rated supply under section 16(1)(a) of the IGST Act, and input tax credit may be availed for it under section 16(2).
• LUT: Under section 16(3), a registered person can make zero rated supplies without paying integrated tax under bond or Letter of Undertaking. The LUT is filed as FORM GST RFD-11 on the GST portal. See the guide on LUT.
• Income tax: The purpose code does not change how the income is taxed. The income is part of your total income and is reported in your return. The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 01.04.2026. Take advice from a tax professional on deductions and the correct return form.
• Realisation: Under Regulation 5(1)(a) of the 2026 Regulations, the export value of services must be realised and repatriated within nine months from the date of invoice, or twelve months where the export is invoiced or settled in Indian rupees. The AD bank may extend the period.

• Code mix-up: Declaring P0805 for subscriptions to periodicals, where P0806 describes the payment.
• Content licences: Using P0805 for a pure licence of content rights, where a licensing code may be asked for by the bank.
• Vague wording: Writing only "media services" on the invoice, so the bank cannot match the service to P0805.
• Catch-all code: Using P1099 (Other services not included elsewhere) when P0805 describes the service.
• Late declaration: Filing the Export Declaration Form more than 30 days after the end of the invoice month without asking the AD bank for an extension.
• Amount gaps: Leaving differences between the invoice and the amount received unexplained, which delays closure with the AD bank.

The code, its official description and every rule on this page are linked to RBI and other official sources, checked on the dates below.

1. RBI: Guidelines for Submission of Data, Foreign Exchange Transactions Electronic Reporting System (FETERS), purpose code list for receipts, Annex purpose codes, receipts, Group 08 Telecommunication, Computer & Information Services: P0805, P0806, P0802, P0807; Group 10 P1099 (checked 9 Oct 2026)
2. RBI A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 84 dated February 29, 2012: Compilation of R-Returns, Reporting under FETERS, Paragraph 3: AD banks to report all foreign exchange transactions as per the revised purpose code list from April 2012 (checked 9 Oct 2026)
3. RBI Notification No. FEMA 23(R)/2026-RB: Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Goods and Services) Regulations, 2026 (amended up to September 22, 2026), Regulation 1(2) (in force from October 01, 2026); 3(2) (EDF for services); 4(2) (EDPMS closure up to ₹10 lakh); 5(1)(a) (nine months from invoice date, as amended on September 22, 2026) (checked 9 Oct 2026)
4. IGST Act, 2017, Section 2: Definitions (CBIC tax information portal), Section 2(6): definition of export of services (checked 9 Oct 2026)
5. IGST Act, 2017, Section 16: Zero rated supply (CBIC tax information portal), Section 16(1)(a), 16(2) and 16(3) (checked 9 Oct 2026)
6. GST Portal user manual: Furnishing of Letter of Undertaking (FORM GST RFD-11), Filing path Services > User Services > Furnish Letter of Undertaking (LUT) (checked 9 Oct 2026)
7. Income Tax Department e-filing portal: Objective and scope of the New Act, Repeal of the 1961 Act on 01.04.2026 and the tax year concept (checked 9 Oct 2026)