PayPal International Fees Calculator
Calculate PayPal fees for cross-border payments. Understand the true cost of sending and receiving international payments including currency conversion charges.
Example Calculations
| Type | Sent | Fee | Received | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Sale | $200 | $10.47 | $189.53 | 5.24% |
| With Currency Convert | $500 | $40.44 | $459.56 | 8.1% |
| Cross-Border Invoice | $1,000 | $50.49 | $949.51 | 5.05% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are PayPal's international transaction fees?
International commercial payments: 4.99% + $0.49 (vs 2.99% domestic). Plus currency conversion fee of 2.5-4% if accepting foreign currency. Total effective rate can exceed 8%.
How can I reduce international PayPal fees?
Hold foreign currency in PayPal instead of auto-converting. Invoice in USD to avoid conversion. Transfer funds when exchange rates are favorable. Consider alternatives like Wise for regular international payments.
Why are cross-border fees so high?
International payments have higher fraud risk, currency exchange costs, and regulatory compliance overhead. PayPal passes these costs plus margin to users.
International PayPal Payments Guide
International Fee Breakdown
**Base International Fee:**
4.99% + $0.49 per transaction
**Currency Conversion:**
+ 2.5% to 4% on exchange rate spread
**Example - $500 International Payment:**
Base fee: ($500 × 4.99%) + $0.49 = $25.44
Net before conversion: $474.56
If converting to local currency (assume 3% spread):
Conversion cost: $474.56 × 3% = $14.24
Final received: $460.32
**Total Effective Rate: 7.9%**
**Countries with Higher Fees:**
Some countries have additional receiving fees. Check PayPal's fee schedule for your specific corridor.
Currency Strategies
**Option 1: Hold Foreign Currency**
Don't auto-convert USD to local currency. Hold in PayPal balance.
Use for future USD purchases or transfer when rates are good.
**Option 2: Invoice in USD**
Ask clients to pay in USD. You avoid conversion on receipt.
Convert manually when favorable.
**Option 3: Multi-Currency Account**
Maintain balances in USD, EUR, GBP.
Match currency of incoming payment to future expenses.
**Option 4: Third-Party Conversion**
Withdraw to Wise (formerly TransferWise) for better rates.
Their conversion spread: 0.5-1% vs PayPal's 2.5-4%.
**Timing Matters:**
Currency rates fluctuate 1-3% monthly. If not urgent, wait for better rates.
Alternatives for International Payments
**Wise (TransferWise):**
Mid-market rate + small fee (0.5-1.5%)
Much cheaper for large transfers
Free multi-currency account
**Payoneer:**
1% receiving fee
Competitive FX rates
Good for freelancer marketplaces
**Stripe (for merchants):**
4.4% + $0.30 international
Simpler, but similar cost to PayPal
**Direct Bank Wire:**
$15-45 per transfer
Best for large amounts (>$5,000)
Poor for small transactions
**Cryptocurrency:**
1-3% total cost
Volatility risk
Recipients must accept crypto
**Recommendation:**
- Small payments (<$100): PayPal (convenience)
- $100-1000: Wise or Payoneer
- $1000+: Bank wire or Wise
International Seller Best Practices
**Listing Currency:**
Price in USD for global audience. Local pricing for large markets.
**Fee Transparency:**
Include "international transaction fee" in terms if passing costs.
**Delivery Expectations:**
Make international shipping costs clear. Avoid disputes.
**Time Zone Payments:**
International payments may take 1-2 days to clear.
**Country Restrictions:**
Some countries blocked from PayPal. Check before selling.
**Documentation:**
Keep records for export documentation and tax purposes.
**Currency Risk:**
If selling in foreign currency, hedge risk with forward contracts for large amounts.