RBI purpose code · Money paid abroad (outward)

S0101: Advance payment against imports (other than Nepal and Bhutan)

Short answer. S0101 is the RBI purpose code for money paid abroad: advance payment against imports (other than Nepal and Bhutan). The bank needs Form A1 and reports it in IDPMS; no Form 145 or 146 is needed.

Direction
Money paid abroad (outward)
RBI head
01 · Goods – exports and imports
Bank application
Form A1
Form 145 / 146
Not needed: on the specified list.
Income tax
Goods (specified list)
GST
IGST at customs
Reporting
IDPMS · advance
In FxLayer
An advance: links to a proforma invoice.

When to use S0101

Use S0101 for money paid abroad: advance payment against imports (other than Nepal and Bhutan). It sits under RBI head 01, goods – exports and imports.

Use it only for goods imported into India. Freight and insurance paid separately have codes of their own (S0203, S0209, S0602).

The same purpose in the other direction is P0101: Export bill negotiated / purchased / discounted (other than Nepal and Bhutan) (money received).

Form A1 or Form A2

Form A1: the application for a payment for goods imported into India. With it the bank asks for a request letter and an advance against a proforma invoice or contract, and reports the payment in IDPMS.

Income tax

Paying for goods bought from abroad is the seller's trading receipt, not income that arises in India.

S0101 is on the specified list in Rule 220(3) of the Income-tax Rules, 2026: neither Form 145 nor Form 146 is needed, and no tax is withheld.

Form 145 / 146: Not needed: on the specified list.

GST

Imported goods carry IGST at the border: it is paid with the customs duty on the Bill of Entry, not on the remittance. There is no reverse charge on the payment itself.

Reporting and closure

The advance is recorded in IDPMS against the proforma and stays open until the Bill of Entry for the goods is matched to it. Above the limit RBI sets, the bank asks for a letter of credit or a guarantee from the supplier's bank; if the goods never come, the advance is refunded.

Questions

Form A1: the application for a payment for goods imported into India. With it the bank asks for a request letter and an advance against a proforma invoice or contract, and reports the payment in IDPMS.
Paying for goods bought from abroad is the seller's trading receipt, not income that arises in India. S0101 is on the specified list in Rule 220(3) of the Income-tax Rules, 2026: neither Form 145 nor Form 146 is needed, and no tax is withheld. Form 145 / 146: Not needed: on the specified list.
Imported goods carry IGST at the border: it is paid with the customs duty on the Bill of Entry, not on the remittance. There is no reverse charge on the payment itself.

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.