A FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) is your bank's record of a foreign payment reaching your account, and reading one well means checking five things: who paid, how much arrived in foreign currency, what you got in rupees, which purpose code the bank applied, and which reference ties it to your invoice. Layouts differ from bank to bank, but the core fields are much the same everywhere.
Key takeaways
- Every bank formats its FIRA differently; look for the fields, not a particular layout.
- The purpose code is the field most worth checking — errors are easy to fix early and painful later.
- Differences between the invoice amount and the amount received usually come from charges deducted abroad; note them against the invoice.
- File each FIRA with its invoice and record its reference in your EDF register.
Why the FIRA matters
The EDF declares your exports; the FIRA shows they were paid. For invoices above ₹10 lakh, your bank closes the EDPMS entry on the invoice, payment evidence such as the FIRA, and your matching instructions. For invoices up to ₹10 lakh, a declaration of realisation can close the entry, but the FIRA is still your proof if anyone asks. It also supports GST zero-rating — payment in convertible foreign exchange is one of the export conditions — and your income-tax records.
If you're unsure whether you have a FIRA or a FIRC, our explainer on FIRA vs FIRC covers the difference.
The fields, one by one
Banks name and arrange these differently, and some leave fields out or add others. Treat this as a guide to what you'll typically see.
| Field (common names) | What it means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bank and branch | The bank that received the money | It's your AD bank and the right branch |
| FIRA / advice number, date | The document's own reference and issue date | Note it in your EDF register |
| Beneficiary name and account | You, and the account credited | Exact legal name; correct account if you have several |
| Remitter name and address | Who sent the money | Your client, or an expected third party |
| Remitter country | Where the payment came from | Matches what you expect; explain if different |
| Remitting / ordering bank | The sender's bank | Useful when tracing a payment |
| Foreign currency and amount | What arrived in foreign currency | Compare with the invoice amount |
| Exchange rate | Rate used to convert to rupees | Record it; useful for books and NRV |
| INR amount credited | Rupees that reached your account | Matches your bank statement |
| Charges | Bank charges deducted (where shown) | Explains shortfalls |
| Purpose code and description | RBI code for what the money is for | Fits your service — the key check |
| Transaction / payment reference | A reference from the payment message | Ties the FIRA to your invoice and to the payment message |
| Date of credit / value date | When the money was credited | Shows realisation within 9 months of invoice date |
| Signature / authentication | Bank's stamp, signature or system note | Present if your use requires it |
The amounts: three numbers, three meanings
Most confusion comes from the amount fields. There are usually three:
- The invoice amount — what you billed, say USD 5,000.
- The foreign currency amount received — what actually arrived, say USD 4,975, if USD 25 was taken by an intermediary bank.
- The INR amount credited — the rupee equivalent at the bank's exchange rate, after any Indian-side charges.
Your EDF's Part 2B has columns for invoice amount and net realisable value. If you knew about the charges when filing, the NRV may already reflect them. If not, note the shortfall against the invoice when you match the payment.
The purpose code
Every inward remittance carries an RBI purpose code. For services, common examples include P0802 (software consultancy/implementation), P0807 (off-site software exports), P1006 (business and management consultancy and PR), P1007 (advertising, trade fair, market research), P1004 (legal), P1005 (accounting, auditing, tax consulting), P1008 (R&D services) and P1009 (architectural, engineering and other technical services).
The bank assigns the code, often based on what the remitter or you told it. If the code doesn't match your service, ask the bank to correct it while the payment is recent — our purpose code correction letter helps. You can sense-check codes with the purpose code finder.
The reference
The transaction reference connects the FIRA to the payment message, often a SWIFT MT103 for wire transfers. If your client quoted your invoice number in the payment details, you may see it in a remittance information field. That's the easiest match of all.
Worked example: reading one FIRA
Tamarind Labs Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, invoiced a client in Austin USD 8,600 on 14 December 2026 for software consultancy (invoice TL/26-27/203). Its FIRA shows:
- Beneficiary: Tamarind Labs Pvt Ltd, current account ending 4417 — correct.
- Remitter: the Austin client's legal entity — correct.
- Foreign currency amount: USD 8,575 — USD 25 short.
- Exchange rate and INR credited: recorded for the books.
- Purpose code: P1006 (business and management consultancy).
- Reference: includes "TL-203" in the remittance details.
- Date of credit: 22 January 2027 — well within 9 months of 14 December 2026.
Two issues. The USD 25 shortfall is an intermediary charge; Tamarind notes it in its register. The purpose code is the bigger problem: the work was software consultancy, which fits P0802 better. Tamarind writes to its bank the same week, with the invoice attached, asking for a correction.
Because the invoice converts to about ₹7.2 lakh — under ₹10 lakh — Tamarind will include it in its quarterly declaration of realisation. The FIRA, the correction letter and the bank's reply go into the December folder.
What to do when something looks wrong
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong purpose code | Remitter or bank chose a generic code | Ask the bank to correct it, with invoice |
| Name misspelt | Remitter typed it wrong | Ask the bank if correction is needed; keep invoice and contract handy |
| Amount short | Charges deducted abroad | Note against invoice; explain when closing entry |
| Unknown remitter | Third-party payer or platform | Get confirmation from client; consider third-party fields on the EDF |
| No reference to invoice | Client didn't quote it | Match by amount and date; ask clients to quote invoice numbers in future |
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Your bank's FIRA format and process take precedence over any general description.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important field on a FIRA?
For most exporters, the purpose code — it tells the bank and RBI what the payment was for, and a wrong code can complicate EDPMS matching and GST refunds. Check it every time, along with the remitter name and amount.
Why is the amount on my FIRA less than my invoice?
Usually because banks along the payment route deducted charges, or because of the charge option the sender chose. Note the shortfall against the invoice and explain it when you close the EDPMS entry.
Does every FIRA show the exchange rate?
Many do, but formats vary between banks. If yours doesn't, your bank statement or the credit advice may show the rate. Record it for your books and for reconciling NRV.
Can I ask my bank to change details on a FIRA?
You can ask for corrections, such as a wrong purpose code, with supporting documents like the invoice. Whether and how the bank corrects it is its decision, so ask promptly and keep the correspondence.
Is a FIRA needed for invoices closed by declaration?
You don't usually send it for invoices up to ₹10 lakh closed by declaration, but you should keep it. It's your evidence of realisation for GST, income tax and any later bank query.
Bottom line
Read every FIRA for five things — payer, foreign amount, rupee amount, purpose code and reference — and fix errors as soon as you spot them. Then file it with its invoice and EDF, prepared in the free EDF form generator.
This guide is general information for Indian businesses, not legal or tax advice. Rules and bank processes change — confirm specifics with your AD bank or chartered accountant.