Why was I billed an international fee for my recent transaction?

Receiving an unexpected international fee for a recent transaction can be confusing and frustrating. To shed light on this issue, let's explore the possible reasons why you were billed an international fee. Understanding these factors will help you navigate future transactions and make informed decisions.

Currency Conversion: If your transaction involved converting one currency to another, such as making a purchase in a foreign currency, your bank or credit card company may have charged an international fee to cover the costs of currency conversion.

Cross-Border Transaction: If the transaction was processed by a merchant located in a different country than your billing address, it may be considered a cross-border transaction. Financial institutions often charge international fees to cover additional processing and administrative costs associated with cross-border transactions.

International Payment Networks: We are an international company using an American payment processor called Stripe. This can result in some banks charging additional fees, while others do not. Unfortunately, these charges come directly from your bank and are outside of our control. We currently have four payment gateways: USA, Canada, UK, and Singapore. At present, all credit card payments are routed through our payment gateways in Canada or Singapore, which may result in an international fee on your bill. To avoid international fees in the future, you can use PayPal as a payment method. Your payment will remain secure, as Stripe is PCI-compliant and handles the entire payment process for us.

Bank or Credit Card Policy: Some banks and credit card issuers have policies that include international fees for certain types of transactions, regardless of the specific circumstances. It is advisable to review the terms and conditions of your bank or credit card agreement to understand if international fees are applicable in such cases.

In summary, the specific fees and their amounts can vary depending on your financial institution, the type of transaction, and the terms of your account or credit card agreement. To obtain accurate information regarding the international fee charged for your transaction, it is recommended to contact your bank or credit card provider directly. They will be able to provide detailed information about the specific charges associated with your transaction.