What Is the P0806 Purpose Code?

The P0806 purpose code covers money received from abroad for information services other than news agency services, including subscriptions to newspapers and periodicals. RBI lists P0806 in group 08 of the FETERS purpose code list. The wording ends with "etc.", so other paid information services may also fit. Confirm borderline cases with your AD bank.

P0806 vs P0805: P0805 is "News agency services" in the RBI purpose code list. Supplying news content as an agency points 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 P0806 purpose code when a foreign client pays you for a subscription to a publication or for another information service. Typical cases are subscriptions to an Indian newspaper or periodical, access fees to a paid information service, and paid reports sold to overseas readers. Describe the service plainly on the invoice. Confirm the code with your AD bank.

• Use P0805 instead: Use P0805 (News agency services) when you supply news content to a foreign media client as a news agency.
• Use P1016 instead: Use P1016 (Market research and public opinion polling service) when the payment is for market research or polling work for the client.
• Use P0803 instead: Use P0803 (Data base, data processing charges) when the payment is for database work or data processing.

The P0806 purpose code is used by publishers of newspapers and periodicals, online information providers and research publishers in India who earn from overseas subscribers. The exporter selects P0806 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, an Indian magazine publisher receives annual subscription fees from readers in the UAE and declares the receipts under P0806.
• For example, a Delhi business newsletter sells paid memberships to subscribers in the US and uses P0806 for the payments.
• For example, a Mumbai research publisher gives a foreign firm paid access to its industry reports and reports the fee under P0806.
• For example, a Chennai regional daily sells its e-paper subscription to readers in Singapore and receives the money under P0806.

• The foreign client pays for news agency services such as wire feeds. Use P0805 (News agency services).
• The foreign client pays for commissioned market research or opinion polling. Use P1016 (Market research and public opinion polling service).
• The foreign client pays for advertising space or a trade fair service. Use P1007 (Advertising, trade fair service).
• The foreign client pays for database work or data processing. Use P0803 (Data base, data processing charges).

For the P0806 purpose code, the core documents are the invoice or subscription record, the terms of service, and proof of access given. 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 or receipts that name the subscriber, describe the subscription or information service, and show the currency, amount and period covered.
• Terms: Keep the subscription terms, licence terms or service agreement that show what the foreign client receives.
• 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.
• Access records: Keep account records or delivery logs that show the subscriber received access for the period paid.
• 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 P0806 (Other information services- Subscription to newspapers, periodicals, etc.) 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 P0806 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 P0806, 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. Information 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 P0806 for wire feeds supplied as a news agency, where P0805 describes the service.
• Research work: Using P0806 for commissioned research or polling, where P1016 may describe the work better.
• Vague wording: Writing only "online service" on the invoice, so the bank cannot match the service to P0806.
• Catch-all code: Using P1099 (Other services not included elsewhere) when P0806 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, P0803, P0807; Group 10 P1016, 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)