How to buy WordPress plugins from India (2026)
Cards, PayPal, forex fees, GST and RBI’s rules for renewals, so your purchase and renewals go through.
Short answer: pay with a credit card that has international payments on, ideally one with a low forex markup. Expect 18% GST and a 2 to 3.5% bank fee. Renewals above ₹15,000 need your approval each time under RBI rules.
Step by step
Before you click Buy.
Turn on international payments
Enable online international use in your bank app for the card you will use.
Pick a low-markup card
Forex fees range from about 1% to 3.5%, plus 18% GST on the fee.
Pay in the seller’s currency
Avoid PayPal or dynamic currency conversion, which add their own markup.
Enter your GSTIN if you have one
Get a proper invoice and account for GST under reverse charge.
Approve renewals
Recurring payments above ₹15,000 need your approval; you get a notice 24 hours before.
Forex markup on popular Indian cards
From each bank’s published charges.
| Card | Forex markup | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Most SBI cards | 3.5% | SBI Card terms |
| SBI AURUM, Elite, Miles Elite | 1.99% | SBI Card terms |
| Most ICICI cards | 3.5% | ICICI Bank |
| ICICI Emeralde | 2% | ICICI Bank |
| HDFC Regalia Gold | 2% | HDFC Bank |
| HDFC IndianOil | 3.5% | HDFC Bank |
Good to know
Pay less
- Buy during Black Friday and lock in multi-year terms
- Choose INR pricing where offered, like Hostinger or AIOSEO
- Use a low-markup card
Watch out
- The forex fee is often not refunded with a refund
- PayPal adds about 4% when it converts currency
- Renewals are at the regular price
Buying plugins from India: FAQ
Can I buy WordPress plugins from India with a debit card?
Usually yes, if international transactions are enabled on the card. Credit cards work more reliably for recurring renewals.
Why did my plugin renewal fail?
Under RBI’s e-mandate rules, recurring card payments above ₹15,000 need your approval each time, and banks send a notice 24 hours before each debit. Approve it, or renew manually.
What forex fee will I pay?
Most Indian cards charge 2 to 3.5% plus 18% GST on that fee. Some premium cards charge less, such as 1.99% on certain SBI cards or 2% on HDFC Regalia Gold.
Is TCS charged on plugin purchases?
The Finance Ministry said in June 2023 that international credit card spending would stay outside LRS, so no TCS applies. We found no official statement specific to software or debit cards.
Can I pay with PayPal from India?
Yes for international purchases. PayPal charges about 4% above the base rate when it converts currency, so pay in the seller’s currency if your card allows.
About this page
Pritam Sonone
Founder of Digital Pritam. WordPress developer and designer, WordCamp Kolhapur 2025 speaker. Builds WordPress sites for clients.
How we checked
- RBI e-mandate rules from the RBI circular of 21 April 2026
- Forex markups from each bank’s published charges
- PayPal conversion fee from PayPal India’s fee page
Sources: RBI e-mandate framework 2026 · SBI Card terms · ICICI international charges · PayPal India fees
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