If you’re an exporter, you already know the pain of international payments.
For years, exporters across India — from tea exporters in Assam to handicraft suppliers in Delhi, textile units in Gujarat, and spice traders in Kerala — all faced the same frustration:
And the worst part?
You had no way to track your own payment.
As exporters, we shipped globally…
But our payments travelled blindly.
This is exactly where SWIFT gpi (Global Payments Innovation) steps in — a modern, transparent, faster, trackable system that is finally fixing decades-old problems in international trade.
And this blog explains everything you need to know — the BusinessZindagi way.
you may also like to read: How to Use SWIFT MT103 as Proof of Payment for Your Export Business
As an exporter myself, I’ve faced this issue many times.
I usually export on:
And in almost every case, the same thing used to happen:
Even when the buyer emailed me the traditional SWIFT MT message (the so-called “proof”), I still had zero ability to track the payment.
All I could do was wait… and trust the banking system.
That delay cost time, money, and credibility.
This is why SWIFT gpi is a big relief.
It promises:
I haven’t recently received a payment under the gpi system, but the next time I get an export order, I’m definitely going to ask my bank whether they support SWIFT gpi tracking.
Now, let’s break it down clearly.
you may also like to read: SWIFT Payment for Export Business: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs
SWIFT gpi is an upgraded version of the SWIFT international payment system. It makes cross-border bank transfers:
Think of it as a courier tracking system — but for your export payments.
Earlier:
❌ SWIFT messages were invisible after sending
❌ Exporters relied only on “SWIFT copy”
❌ Payments took days without explanation
Now, with gpi:
✔ You get real-time tracking
✔ You know where your money is
✔ You see every intermediary bank
✔ You know when it will arrive
✔ You see which bank deducted fees
This is a big win for MSMEs and exporters.
Every international transfer gets a UETR — a Unique End-to-End Transaction Reference.
You can use this UETR to track your payment through all the banks in the chain:
Buyer’s Bank → Correspondent Banks → Your Bank → Your Account
Each stage shows:
This complete visibility eliminates confusion.
Traditional SWIFT → 3–7 days
SWIFT gpi →
This solves the “waiting for credit” problem I personally faced many times.
No more:
❌ Calling bank repeatedly
❌ Asking buyer for confirmation
❌ Blindly waiting for credit
❌ Shipment delay due to payments
Now you can see the journey of your money on-screen.
You’ll know:
This removes disputes with buyers and banks.
For exporters like me who ship only after receiving final payment, SWIFT gpi:
This directly improves business reputation.
Overseas buyers trust exporters who use transparent payment systems.
“GPI-enabled payments” boosts confidence and speeds up business.
Yes, it is already active and widely used.
Most major Indian banks support SWIFT gpi, such as:
If both the buyer’s and seller’s banks are gpi-enabled, your payments become fully trackable.
Let’s say a buyer in the USA sends USD 7,000.
The buyer gives you the UETR number.
You enter it in your bank’s tracking portal.
You will see:
This removes all confusion.
Shipment can move on time.
Both sides trust the process.
Just to be realistic:
Still, gpi is far faster and better than old SWIFT.
Most export-oriented banks already support it.
They must use a gpi-compliant bank.
This is your tracking ID.
You’ll see real-time status.
This is the biggest benefit for exporters like us.
SWIFT gpi makes international payments:
After years of dealing with delays, blind waiting, and shipment stress, exporters like me finally have something to depend on.
This is the kind of practical, real-world change that BusinessZindagi stands for — making entrepreneurship easier, smoother, and more informed.
Tabrez Khan is an entrepreneur, exporter, and founder of BusinessZindagi.com.
He shares real business experiences, MSME insights, export guidance, and practical updates to help small businesses and new entrepreneurs grow confidently in India’s evolving business landscape.
(You may keep 3–4 links for neatness.)
This article is for educational & informational purposes only.
International banking processes vary by:
Always confirm SWIFT gpi availability and features with your own bank before making export payment decisions.
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