You’ve either faced this yourself or heard it from another exporter/freelancer:

Tracking cross-border payments isn’t simple.

Most times, you can’t “track” anything directly as the receiver. Your client’s bank (and your bank) can trace it — but you often need a reference first.

On top of tracking, exporters also worry about:

This guide explains how cross-border payments work, where costs hide, how long they really take, how SWIFT tracking works in practice, and what to do when money gets stuck — plus why Skydo can be a cleaner receiving setup for many exporters.

A cross-border payment is any transaction where the sender and receiver are in different countries.

So your client is the sender, and you’re the receiver — but before the money hits your Indian bank account, it may move through international payment networks (often SWIFT + correspondent banks), and then get processed by your Indian AD bank.

A good cross-border payments setup prioritises:

How cross-border payments actually move (the real route)

Your client instructs their bank to send money using your beneficiary details (name, account number/IBAN where relevant, and SWIFT/BIC for wires). For a SWIFT wire, the transfer is typically communicated using SWIFT customer credit transfer messaging like MT103 (or ISO 20022 equivalents). 

2) Intermediary/correspondent banks may get involved

If the sender’s bank doesn’t have a direct relationship with your bank, the payment may hop through one or more correspondent banks. Each intermediary may apply its own fees and processing timelines.

3) Indian AD bank credits you after checks

Once the funds reach India, your bank may run compliance checks (KYC/AML/sanctions screening + purpose/payment context). If all is clean, funds are converted (if needed) and credited to your account

Reliable for larger B2B payments — but often:

Great for SaaS/e-commerce and online checkout flows, but fees can be higher (gateway + cross-border + chargeback exposure + FX spread).

3) Local Collection Accounts (Virtual Accounts)

You get local bank details abroad (like US ACH rails). Often faster and more predictable than SWIFT, depending on provider/currency/country.

Amazon/other platforms pay out on their own cycles; reconciliation and export documentation become the bigger pain.

Fee instruction matters: OUR vs SHA vs BEN

On SWIFT wires, the sender can choose who bears charges:

This is a big lever for exporters: if you’re receiving wires, push large buyers toward OUR to protect your margins.

There isn’t one universal timeline — it depends on rail, corridor, cut-off times, intermediary chain, and compliance checks.

Typical timelines by method (practical view)

Real-time tracking for cross-border payments

What “tracking” means in the SWIFT world

SWIFT has a tracking layer called SWIFT gpi. For gpi-enabled flows, payments carry a UETR — a unique reference that works like a parcel tracking number. 

Key reality check:
Even if gpi exists, the receiver usually can’t see tracking unless:

Some banks do provide trackers using the UETR. 

SWIFT Go is designed for low-value cross-border payments (consumer/SME use cases) and supports transfers up to $10,000 equivalent — but it only applies if the banks involved offer it. 
So it’s not the default answer for exporter wires.

Ask your client for this first (best-to-have):

Documents exporters typically need (practical set)

How to choose a cross-border payment partner (

Skydo is built for Indian exporters and freelancers who want a receiving setup that’s predictable: clear fees, clear FX, and clear payment status.

Instead of chasing MT103s, Skydo positions dashboard tracking (initiated → in transit → credited) so the receiver can monitor progress directly. 

2) Transparent fees + live FX positioning

Skydo positions flat fees (instead of % pricing) and no FX markup / live FX — so exporters can estimate net INR more reliably before the payment lands.

Skydo positions instant FIRA availability per payment from the dashboard, reducing bank follow-ups.

4) Latest RBI PA-CB authorisation (trust layer)

Skydo received final RBI authorisation to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB) in January 2026. 

Bottom line:
The best setup isn’t just “receive money.” It’s: receive + track + stay compliant — without guessing what happened in between.

How Long Does an International Wire Transfer Take?

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You’re a freelancer in India who just landed a client in the US. They’re ready to pay,&nbsp; and then reality hits:

How do you receive the money without losing a chunk to fees, and without getting stuck in documentation and compliance follow-ups?

That’s where platforms like PayGlocal come in. But before you sign up, you should know exactly what you’re getting into

This PayGlocal review breaks down features, pricing, real pros/cons, and the best alternatives depending on how you get paid. (Pricing/features can change; always confirm on the official pages.)

PayGlocal is best for: Indian businesses that need international payment acceptance (cards + global methods) and/or multi-currency collection rails.

Compliance docs: PayGlocal states it provides eFIRA/FIRC generated by partner banks after settlement. 

Settlement timeline (for the freelancer MCA flow): After funds hit your multi-currency account and you submit docs within the required window, PayGlocal states it typically takes 2–3 working days for funds to reach your Indian bank account. 

Important operational detail: PayGlocal’s multi-currency account is not meant to hold funds — you’re expected to submit supporting docs within 2 working days, or the amount is sent back to the payer automatically. 

If your core need is receiving invoice / bank-transfer business payments into India with predictable fees + compliance docs, a PayGlocal alternative like Skydo is worth evaluating.

PayGlocal is a cross-border payments platform that helps Indian businesses (including freelancers and service exporters) accept and collect international payments, with options that include:

From a regulatory standpoint, PayGlocal states it is RBI authorised for:

PayGlocal features (for international payments)

1) Payment acceptance: checkout + pay links

PayGlocal supports international payment acceptance via:

2) Supported payment methods + currencies

On PayGlocal’s site and product pages, they position their stack around broad international coverage — including major cards and a range of global/local methods. They also reference 120+ global currencies in their marketing. 

(Practical takeaway: PayGlocal is built more like a “global payment acceptance + routing” layer than a pure inward-remittance-only tool.)

3) Multi-currency accounts (MCA) for collections

If your clients pay via bank transfer (or marketplace-style flows), PayGlocal also offers multi-currency account collections:

4) Compliance docs (eFIRA/FIRC) post-settlement

PayGlocal states it provides eFIRA/FIRC generated by partner banks once the amount is settled. 

Two operational details freelancers should notice (these matter in real life):

5) Risk, routing, and reliability (positioning)

PayGlocal positions an “orchestration” approach for better routing/acceptance and fraud/risk controls as part of its international stack. 
(As with any gateway, performance can vary by corridor, method, ticket size, and business category.)

6) Developer experience (if you integrate)

If you’re integrating into a product, PayGlocal provides developer documentation and guides (and their FAQ/docs also repeat key MCA/settlement conditions). 

PayGlocal’s public pricing page shows no fixed monthly charge on the standard plan, you pay per transaction.

Public fees shown on PayGlocal’s pricing page

What you should confirm before choosing PayGlocal

Some cost drivers aren’t always fully spelt out on a single pricing block. Before onboarding, confirm:

PayGlocal alternatives (what to pick based on how you get paid)

If you mainly receive international business payments (invoices / bank transfers / marketplace payouts)

Skydo (PayGlocal alternative to evaluate)

What it’s built for: receiving international business payments into India with predictable pricing + built-in export documentation workflows.

Pricing &amp; FX: Skydo positions a flat-fee model (example tiers like $19 / $29 / 0.3%) and markets transparent FX (verify the latest on the pricing page).

Compliance: Skydo positions instant downloadable remittance advice/documentation flows from the dashboard (verify doc type needed for your use case: FIRA vs bank-issued FIRC).

When Skydo is a better fit than PayGlocal

If you need customers abroad to pay via checkout (cards + local methods)

Consider providers that specialise in global acquiring and APM conversion:

Conclusion: When Skydo is the better PayGlocal alternative&nbsp;

PayGlocal is a solid option if your core need is international checkout — cards, payment links, global methods, and routing optimised for acceptance.

But if you’re a freelancer or service/goods exporter in India and your primary job-to-be-done is simpler:

“Help me receive invoice-based international payments into my Indian bank account, at the best net INR, with minimal compliance follow-ups.”

…then Skydo is usually the more practical PayGlocal alternative to evaluate first.

With Skydo, you’re not paying a % of your invoice just because the ticket size is bigger. You get a predictable flat-fee model, live FX (no markup positioning), and a workflow built around what freelancers actually struggle with: settlement visibility + remittance documentation (like FIRA) without chasing banks.

If you want to sanity-check the fit fast, here’s the clean decision rule:

Explore Skydo (and compare both platforms on total cost, settlement SLA, and documentation flow before you decide).

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You’ve set up your store, put your products live, and finally get your first international order.

Not because your product isn’t good, but because:

This is why choosing ecommerce payment gateways for an Indian business isn’t “just pick Stripe/PayPal and move on.” The “best payment gateway for Indian e-commerce” depends on how you sell (your own site vs marketplaces like Amazon), where your customers pay from, and how you want to handle FX + export compliance.

Why global payment gateways matter (more than you think)

Picture this: you’re selling a ₹5,000 product to a UK buyer.

Now they’re doing mental math, wondering what their bank will charge, and whether the final amount will match what they saw. Most people don’t “think it through.” They exit.

Multi-currency and local-friendly checkout isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It directly impacts:

How payment gateways actually work (in one minute)

Payment gateway charges for e-commerce websites: what you’re actually paying

Most sellers compare only the headline “% per transaction” and miss the expensive parts.

Here’s the clean way to think about total cost:

The fee that quietly hurts the most: FX markup

A provider can advertise a low gateway fee and still take a margin via the exchange rate. That’s why you should always compare:

The decision that makes everything simpler: where do you sell?

Most Indian sellers fall into one (or a mix) of these paths:

Path A: You sell on your own website (Shopify/WooCommerce/custom)

You need a true e-commerce payment gateway that:

Path B: You sell on marketplaces (Amazon Global Selling, Etsy, etc.)

You don’t control checkout. You control how you receive payouts.
Your decision is basically:

Best ecommerce payment gateways for Indian sellers (Own website)

1) Stripe (great product, but India sellers should check setup constraints)

Stripe is a strong choice if you want a clean UX and developer-friendly integrations. Stripe’s own support notes that India-based Stripe accounts can accept international payments in 135+ foreign currencies, and also mentions needing a valid IEC for international payments. However, note that Stripe is currently "invite-only" in India. New businesses need to get approved before being onboarded on Stripe.&nbsp; &nbsp;

If you’re India-based, also note Stripe has different fee plans for cross-border sellers (Stripe describes “Mainly Domestic” vs “Mainly International” approaches).

Best for: sellers who want a modern checkout + have technical support.

2) PayPal (trust unlocks conversions, but watch conversion economics)

PayPal can lift conversion simply because buyers recognize it. For sellers, PayPal publishes separate fee tables and cross-border/currency conversion considerations (fees can apply when conversion is involved)

Best for: overseas trust + as a backup wallet option.
Watch out for: conversion spreads + cross-border fee add-ons (varies by corridor).

3) 2Checkout / Verifone (broad global coverage, “merchant-of-record”-ish feel)

2Checkout positions itself for selling globally with 200+ countries coverage and 130+ display currencies.&nbsp;

Best for: sellers who want wide country coverage without heavy engineering.

4) Adyen (enterprise-grade, usually for scale)

Adyen is typically chosen by larger businesses that want one global stack. Adyen’s docs emphasise region-based settlement currency support and “like-for-like settlement” where available.

Best for: larger merchants who want enterprise routing, local methods, and optimisation.

Indian-friendly gateways with global reach (Own website, INR settlement)

If you’re an Indian seller, you’ll often want a gateway that:

Razorpay (international cards + broad currency acceptance)

Razorpay markets the ability to accept international payments in 130+ currencies.&nbsp;

Best for: sellers who want one gateway for India + international cards. You’ll still want to understand FX conversion and how settlement happens.

Cashfree (international cards + INR settlement + FIRC reporting pitch)

Cashfree’s international payment gateway page highlights acceptance in 140+ currencies and settlement in INR (T+2). &nbsp;Cashfree also markets “FIRC compliance” and monthly FIRC reports for international payments. <a href="https://www.cashfree.com/accept-international-payments/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Cashfree</a>

Best for: sellers who want international cards + faster INR settlement.

PayU states it supports 130+ currencies for international payments.

Best for: merchants who want an India-first gateway with international reach.

If you’re an Amazon Global Seller: payment gateway ≠ your real problem

Amazon already collects money from the customer.

Your problem is: how Amazon pays you, what rate you get, and what paperwork you end up chasing.

Option 1: Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS)

Amazon’s ACCS publishes volume-based pricing:

Amazon also notes funds generally arrive in your local bank account in 1–5 business days after disbursement initiation.&nbsp;

Best for: simplest “do nothing” setup inside Amazon.

Option 2: Payoneer / PingPong-style payout platforms

Payoneer explicitly advertises a 0.5% fee for Amazon sellers on its “get paid by Amazon” page (always verify the exact terms for your account/corridor). &nbsp;PingPong markets an “all-inclusive transaction fee up to 1%” for Amazon sellers and also mentions providing FIRC for each transaction. &nbsp;However, remember to check for the forex rates platforms they are offering&nbsp;

Best for: sellers who want a marketplace payout stack without bank SWIFT friction.

Why Skydo is a strong choice for Amazon/global e-commerce sellers

If you run your own Shopify/WooCommerce site, a gateway is literally your checkout.

But if Amazon Global Selling is your main engine, calling this a “payment gateway” problem is already the wrong frame.

On Amazon, customers pay Amazon.
Your real problem starts after that: how you receive payouts, what FX you get, how fast INR hits your account, and whether your export paperwork is clean when you actually need it.

If Amazon Global Selling is your main channel: Skydo is the default pick

Amazon’s Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS) is the simplest “set and forget” option. It’s tiered at 1.5% down to 0.75% based on your last-12-month cross-currency proceeds, and Amazon says payouts generally reach your local bank in 1–5 business days after disbursement initiation.&nbsp;

That’s fine when you’re testing.
But once Amazon becomes meaningful revenue, two things start to matter more than “simplicity”:

This is exactly where Skydo is positioned for Amazon sellers.

Skydo gives you global account details you can add to Amazon (US, UK, Canada, Spain + more) and lets you receive payouts in USD/GBP/EUR/AUD/CAD and other currencies.

 It also offers a faster, trackable experience and India-local support response SLAs.

But the real differentiator is not just payouts — it’s payouts + export documentation handled end-to-end:

Skydo not only offers instant FIRA for Amazon sellers but also automates their eBRC, relieving exporters of a major compliance hassle. The time spent on chasing documents can now be utilised by exporters to grow their business.&nbsp;

Bottom line:
For website checkouts, you pick a gateway.
For Amazon Global Selling, you pick a payout + FX + compliance stack — and Skydo is purpose-built to be that stack.

How to Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India

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You just invoiced a client in euros. The payment arrives in your Indian bank account… and it’s ₹500–₹5,000 short of what you expected.

Or you paid for a $99 tool using your Indian card, and the final INR debit looks oddly higher than the price tag.

That gap is the currency conversion fee,&nbsp; and the annoying part is: a big chunk of it often doesn’t show up as a “fee”. It hides inside the exchange rate you’re given.

Currency conversion fee vs foreign transaction fee (don’t mix these up)

These terms get thrown around like they’re the same thing. They’re not.

The conversion cost (or markup) applied when currency is exchanged.

An extra percentage charged by the card issuer for international usage, on top of conversion. Some issuers disclose this as a “conversion factor assessment” (for example, American Express India lists 3.50% for foreign currency transactions in its fee schedule).

Google shows you the mid-market rate (the real market rate banks trade at). But most consumer conversions don’t happen at that exact rate.

This is why obsessing over “0% fee” marketing doesn’t help unless you also check the actual rate you received.

How big are currency conversion fees, really?

It depends on the route. In practice, your “total FX cost” often lands in these rough bands:

Instead of memorising “typical %”, the best move is to compute your effective conversion fee (below). That gives you the truth for your account, your provider, that day.

Bank currency conversion fee: what actually happens

When an international payment reaches your bank account, conversion may happen:

That’s why two transfers of the same amount can land with different INR outcomes.

The practical takeaway: if you want to reduce bank currency conversion fees, reduce the number of conversion hops and avoid routes where unknown intermediaries can take a cut.

Credit/debit card currency conversion fees (and why they feel sneaky)

Some issuers are very explicit about this. For example, Amex India lists a 3.50% “Foreign Currency Transactions,&nbsp; Currency Conversion Factor Assessment”. 

PayPal currency conversion fee: why it’s so often higher

PayPal’s conversion model is structurally different from a bank transfer.

PayPal applies a “transaction exchange rate” when conversion is required. In many breakdowns of PayPal’s pricing, the conversion cost is described as a markup above a base/mid-market style rate (often referenced around 3–4%), and it’s embedded into the exchange rate you see.&nbsp;

Instead, you just get a weaker rate,&nbsp; and therefore less INR.

PayPal in India: the “automatic transfer” constraint

In India, PayPal doesn’t work like a multi-currency wallet for most users. PayPal states that manual transfers aren’t available and that it automatically transfers your PayPal balance to your local bank account every day, due to India’s regulations.

How to calculate your effective currency conversion fee (the only metric that matters)

Here’s the cleanest way to stop guessing.

Effective conversion fee % = [(Mid-market INR value − Actual INR) / Mid-market INR value] × 100

This reveals the true cost, including spread.

Effective fee = (84,000 − 80,808) / 84,000 = 3.8%

Do this across PayPal vs bank vs another platform, and the decision becomes obvious fast.

However, make sure to deduct other applicable transfer fees too, like transaction charges, before calculating the effective rate.&nbsp;

How to avoid currency conversion fees (methods that actually work)

Growing Global

Understanding Global Payments blogs