True cost guide

Foreign Transaction Fees Explained

Learn why an international card payment can cost more than the checkout price and how to estimate the final charge.

What the fee usually includes

A foreign transaction can include a card network fee, a bank or card issuer fee, and a currency conversion margin. Some cards show one combined percentage, while others hide part of the cost inside the exchange rate.

Why the statement can look different

The exchange rate used for your statement may be set on the processing date, not the purchase date. Refunds can also use a different rate, so a returned item may not equal the original amount.

How to estimate it

Start with the purchase amount, add the card fee percentage, then add an exchange-rate margin if your provider does not use the mid-market rate. The result is still an estimate, but it is far closer than a plain currency conversion.

Use the calculator next

Estimate your own scenario with the foreign transaction, import tax, VAT refund, and travel budget calculators.

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