RBI purpose code · Money received (inward)

P0208: Operating expenses of foreign airlines operating in India

Short answer. P0208 is the RBI purpose code for money received from abroad: operating expenses of foreign airlines operating in India. It is an export of services: no Form A1 or A2, a FIRA from the bank, the invoice on the monthly EDF from 1 October 2026, and realisation within nine months.

Direction
Money received (inward)
RBI head
02 · Transport
Bank application
None: the bank issues a FIRA
Income tax
Your income
GST
Usually GST in India
Reporting
Monthly EDF · EDPMS
In FxLayer
A service: links to service invoices.

When to use P0208

Use P0208 for money received from abroad: operating expenses of foreign airlines operating in India. It sits under RBI head 02, transport.

Choose the code for the work you did, not for the way the money arrived: a client's fee is an export of services even when it comes through a payment platform.

The same purpose in the other direction is S0208: Operating expenses of Indian airlines operating abroad (money paid abroad).

Form A1 or Form A2

Neither. Form A1 and Form A2 are applications to send money out of India. For money coming in, the bank issues a Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA), or a payment platform an e-FIRA, naming the purpose code.

Income tax

Money received for goods or services you export is your business or professional income, taxed in your own return with the rest of your income. Nothing is withheld in India on money coming in.

If the client's country withheld tax, keep its withholding certificate: under the tax treaty you can usually claim credit for that tax in India when you file your return.

GST

These receipts are for services used in India (a hotel stay, a hospital, a course or a project here). The place of supply is generally India, so this is not a zero-rated export: GST applies as on a domestic supply where the service is taxable.

Reporting and closure

From 1 October 2026 the invoice goes on the monthly consolidated Export Declaration Form (A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 25 of 28 September 2026), due within 30 days of the month end, to the AD bank through which the money comes (STPI or the SEZ authority where they apply). RBI indicated on 7 October 2026 that individuals need not file it; ask your bank.

The money must be realised within nine months of the invoice (twelve when invoiced or settled in rupees). The bank issues a FIRA, the entry closes in EDPMS, and the eBRC follows for exporters who claim benefits.

Questions

Neither. Form A1 and Form A2 are applications to send money out of India. For money coming in, the bank issues a Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA), or a payment platform an e-FIRA, naming the purpose code.
Money received for goods or services you export is your business or professional income, taxed in your own return with the rest of your income. Nothing is withheld in India on money coming in. If the client's country withheld tax, keep its withholding certificate: under the tax treaty you can usually claim credit for that tax in India when you file your return.
These receipts are for services used in India (a hotel stay, a hospital, a course or a project here). The place of supply is generally India, so this is not a zero-rated export: GST applies as on a domestic supply where the service is taxable.
From 1 October 2026 the invoice goes on the monthly consolidated Export Declaration Form (A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 25 of 28 September 2026), due within 30 days of the month end, to the AD bank through which the money comes (STPI or the SEZ authority where they apply). RBI indicated on 7 October 2026 that individuals need not file it; ask your bank.

Guides

General information on RBI purpose codes and the FEMA, income-tax and GST rules as they stood on 14 October 2026. It is not legal or tax advice: confirm the position for your payment with your AD bank or your chartered accountant before acting.