Imagine finally selling that first batch of handcrafted leather wallets on Amazon US, only to see 5% of your hard-earned money disappear when you withdraw your earnings to India. You're not alone.&nbsp;

With Amazon Global Selling set to reach <a href="https://sell.amazon.in/grow-your-business/amazon-global-selling/exports-digest">$20 billion</a> in cumulative Indian exports by 2025 and already supporting over 150,000 exporters since 2015, the opportunity is massive. These days, it's not just sellers from metro cities. Artisans and small businesses from Surat, Agra, Jaipur, Ludhiana, and Coimbatore are successfully reaching buyers across the US, Europe, and the Middle East.&nbsp;

But while you are busy perfecting your products, hidden payment charges are quietly eroding your profits. In this blog, we'll show you how to avoid those hidden charges that slash your profits when withdrawing Amazon payments. You'll learn the most cost-effective way to receive your global selling earnings in India.

The Hidden Costs of Receiving Payments from Amazon Global Selling India

Despite the surge in global sales, many Indian exporters are unaware of how much they pay in fees and foreign exchange markups when withdrawing their payments, or that there is a way to retain more of their Amazon earnings. There are primarily two ways through which you can withdraw your Amazon earnings:

Amazon's Currency Converter for Sellers (ACCS)

When using Amazon's built-in currency converter, fees come in two parts:

A conversion fee based on your annual volume:

Secondly Amazon Currency Converter for Sellers applies the exchange rate provided by its third-party service provider on the day your bank transfer is initiated, typically adding a forex markup of around 1–2% over the prevailing market rate.

Let's see what this means with a real example. If you earned $200,000 in a year:

Various third-party services, such as Skydo, Payoneer, and PingPong, offer alternatives to Amazon's built-in currency converter. These services typically charge lower transaction fees than Amazon, ranging from 0.3% to 1%, depending on the provider and your monthly volume.

However, not all platforms are equally transparent about their exchange rates. Some third-party services offer low transaction fees but also levy markup on the prevailing forex rates. Without a clear disclosure of the exact exchange rate you're receiving, you might still lose significant value on each payment.

The most cost-effective providers combine low transaction fees with transparent, mid-market exchange rates. On earnings of $200,000, choosing the right payment solution can save Indian sellers several lakh rupees compared to using Amazon's default converter.

For sellers focused on growing their global expansion, these savings can be reinvested in inventory, marketing, or product development rather than being lost to unnecessary fees. That's why it's worth comparing not just the advertised fees, but also the actual exchange rates offered by different payment providers.

Keep most of your Amazon Global Selling Earnings with Skydo

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> offers Indian sellers a more affordable way to receive Amazon Global Selling payments compared to traditional options. With transparent pricing and access to actual mid-market exchange rates, Skydo helps you keep more of your hard-earned profits.

Skydo's fee structure is straightforward:

When compared to other platforms, the savings are significant:

What truly sets Skydo apart isn’t just its transparent, affordable fees, it’s the complete payments ecosystem built specifically for Amazon global sellers. Skydo is among the few Indian platforms to receive in-principle RBI authorisation as a Payment Aggregator for Cross Border Payments, giving you unmatched regulatory trust.

With Skydo, every Amazon payment comes with a free, instant FIRA, no more delays or extra charges. Sellers get access to global accounts in major currencies like USD, GBP, and EUR, so you can receive payouts from Amazon worldwide without hidden markups.

Plus, Skydo integrates directly with Amazon Seller Central for a seamless experience, while a dedicated India-based support team is always on hand to assist you. From compliance to convenience, Skydo empowers you to save more on every withdrawal and focus on growing your global business.

Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India With Skydo&nbsp;

Getting started with Skydo is quick and straightforward. Here's how you can begin receiving your Amazon payments with lower fees:

Skydo provides instant <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-firc-a-complete-guide">FIRC documentation</a> for all your transactions, eliminating the usual wait time and paperwork hassle that comes with international payments. This makes compliance and tax filing much easier for Indian sellers.

If you ever need help, we at Skydo offer local support from an India-based team that understands the unique challenges faced by Amazon Global Selling merchants. Our customer service is available via call, WhatsApp, and email, with most queries resolved within two business hours.

How to Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India

large_How to Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India

medium_How to Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India

small_How to Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India

thumbnail_How to Receive Payments from Amazon Global Selling in India

In this article, we'll analyse India's top five cross-border payment companies to help you find the right fit for your international payment needs.

Imagine you've just completed a project for an overseas client. The payment arrives after days of waiting, but it's less than expected, reduced by unexpected bank fees and unfavourable exchange rates.​

India's export and freelance sectors are experiencing unprecedented growth. Between April an<a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098447">d December 2024, the country's exports reached an estimated US</a>D 602.64 billion, marking a 6.03% increase from the same period in 2023. As more Indian professionals engage in global commerce, the challenges of receiving international payments, such as hidden fees and compliance complexities, have become more pronounced.​

In response, a new wave of homegrown payment solutions has emerged, tailored to the needs of Indian users. These platforms offer competitive exchange rates, faster transfers, and simplified compliance processes, providing a more efficient alternative to traditional banks.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> provides virtual bank accounts in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, allowing Indian freelancers and businesses to receive payments in multiple currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, and CAD. Their standout feature is zero forex margin with transparent flat fees and instant <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/importance-of-fira-for-freelancers">digital FIRA</a> generation.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/razorpay-international-payments-charges-features">Razorpay International Payments</a> allows Indian businesses to accept payments from over 100 countries through standard options like cards, bank transfers, and PayPal. They also offer MoneySaver Export Account, which provides virtual international bank accounts for receiving direct bank transfers.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/karbon-business-features-pricing-and-alternatives">Karbon Business (formerly Karbon Card)</a> facilitates inward and outward remittance services for Indian businesses and freelancers. Initially starting as a corporate card platform, they've expanded to offer international payment solutions and partnered with banks like IDFC Bank and JP Morgan Chase.ngs&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/eximpe-reviews-fees-alternative">EximPe </a>provides cross-border payment solutions with global collection accounts in 30+ currencies for freelancers and small businesses. It offers transaction-based pricing and monthly subscription models, along with trade financing options for import-export businesses.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/xflow-price-features-alternatives">Xflow</a> is an India-based payment platform that provides virtual USD accounts for receiving international payments. The service offers next-day settlements, payment links, invoicing tools, and automated digital FIRA generation for international transactions.

Receive affordable and compliant cross-border payments with Skydo&nbsp;

When it comes to receiving international payments as an Indian freelancer or business, the choice of platform can significantly impact your bottom line. After reviewing India's top five cross-border payment companies, a few key differences stand out.

While all five platforms offer digital FIRA generation and some form of virtual accounts, they vary widely in pricing structures, currency support, and additional features. Razorpay offers wide country coverage but comes with higher fees. Karbon Business provides dual-direction payments but only supports USD for inward payments. EximPe offers multiple currency options but has a complex fee structure. Xflow provides simple invoicing tools but is limited to USD transactions.

Skydo emerges as the most cost-effective option, especially for more significant transactions. With transparent pricing, zero forex margin, and fees as low as 0.3% for payments above $10,000, it can save you thousands compared to platforms charging a flat 1% or more. The instant FIRA generation, 5-minute account setup, and dedicated customer support address the main pain points freelancers face with international payments.

For freelancers and businesses looking to maximize their earnings from international clients, Skydo offers the most comprehensive solution that balances affordability, transparency, and essential features to make cross-border payments seamless.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Explore Skydo</a>

Top 5 Cross-Border Payment Companies in India

large_Top 5 Cross-Border Payment Companies in India

medium_Top 5 Cross-Border Payment Companies in India

small_Top 5 Cross-Border Payment Companies in India

thumbnail_Top 5 Cross-Border Payment Companies in India

Infinity Payment is a platform for receiving cross-border payments in India. Based in Bangalore, it allows Indian businesses, like exporters and freelancers, to create multi-currency accounts to manage international payments.

If you are in the market evaluating tools like Infinity Payment, this blog post is for you.&nbsp; In this comprehensive analysis, we explain the core features of Infinity and its fee structure to help you decide if it's the right fit for your business. We also cover a more seamless and affordable alternative, so we suggest reading this blog till the end.

Here are the four most essential points you must know about Infinity Payment before you decide to sign up for a demo:

Global Account: When you create an account with Infinity Payment, this single account allows you to receive payments in different currencies.&nbsp; Your clients can pay you in <a href="https://www.infinityapp.in/reach-out-to-us">30+ currencies</a>, and you don’t have to worry about currency conversion

Free Digital FIRA: With every withdrawal, you get a <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/automated-firc-simplifying-international-payments-compliance">FIRA</a>. This helps you stay compliant and reduce administrative workload

Live Forex Rate, No Markup: An international payment is converted to domestic currency based on the prevailing exchange rate. Moreover, there is no markup or hidden fees, which ensures you get the best value for the payment

Personalized Treasury Management: Infinity Payment offers curated portfolios of government securities, mutual funds, and fixed deposits to help you earn from the idle cash in your account. This is an interesting offer if you have been exploring investment opportunities to grow interest income from international payments

Infinity Payment Fees: How Much Do You Pay?

Let’s understand the most important section of the blog: How much do you pay as fees for receiving international payments? To make the calculations easier, we assumed that you have received a payment of USD 10,000 from a foreign client.

Transaction fee: Infinity Payment charges a transaction fee of 0.5% of the amount. For receiving a payment of $10,000, the fee will be $50 (0.5% X $10,000)

Live forex rate: The amount you receive is converted to domestic currency based on the current exchange rate. Let’s assume the current rate is 85 INR to 1 USD for the next step. 

In summary, you pay $50 (INR 4,350)&nbsp; as fees for receiving $10,000 (INR 850,000) via Infinity payments

Skdyo: A Seamless Infinity Payment Alternative For Receiving International Payments

If you’re open to exploring options for international payment solutions beyond Infinity Payment, then Skydo is worth considering.&nbsp;

Skydo is affordable and offers transparent pricing, especially on significant transactions, catering to different client needs. In contrast to Infinity Payment’s percentage-based fees, Skydo follows a flat fee model as follows:

The difference in pricing structure makes a significant difference in your bottom line. The following table explains how:&nbsp;

Skydo also offers the prevailing exchange rate during currency conversion. If we consider the same exchange rate, then Skydo’s fee is Rs. 2,465, a difference of Rs. 1,885 compared to Infinity.&nbsp;

The gap is even more significant when you increase the amount. For example, when you receive a payment of $20,000, the Infinity transaction fee (0.5%) will be $100 (Rs. 8,500). With Skydo, the transaction fee (0.3%)&nbsp; will be $ 60 (Rs. 5,100). This time, the difference is Rs. 3,400.

In addition to providing global accounts in countries like UK, USA, Australia, and Canada, the following features make Skydo a great choice for Indian businesses:

Skydo also integrates with Amazon Global Selling and major freelance marketplaces that further help you streamline international payments in a single platform.

Does Skydo sound like the ideal international payment solution for your business?&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Get started with a demo now</a>.

large_Infinity Payments

medium_Infinity Payments

small_Infinity Payments

thumbnail_Infinity Payments

Infinity Payments

Razorpay, known for its payment gateway and payroll services in India, now offers international payment solutions too, including virtual accounts and traditional gateways for exporters.

In this blog, we unpack Razorpay’s international offering and explore alternatives, so you can find what fits your business best.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/razorpay-international-payments-charges-features">Razorpay</a> app is an Indian payment gateway founded in 2014 that provides financial services for businesses. Its offerings include payment processing, banking solutions, lending options, and business operation tools.

For international payments, Razorpay has two main options.&nbsp;

The standard payment gateway service that accepts payments from multiple countries through credit/debit cards, bank transfers, SWIFT, and PayPal, with funds converted to INR.&nbsp;

Their MoneySaver Export Account provides virtual international bank accounts, allowing clients to make payments via local bank transfers in various currencies.

Key Features of Razorpay International Payments

Razorpay's payment gateway accepts international payments through credit card and debit card, bank transfers, SWIFT, and PayPal integration. It supports transactions from over 100 countries and automatically converts foreign currencies to INR. The system handles payment processing and basic reconciliation for international transactions.

Pricing: <a href="https://razorpay.com/accept-international-payments/">3% transaction fee</a> for card payments. PayPal transactions incur PayPal's standard fees (approximately 4.4% transaction fee plus a $0.30 flat fee, along with a 4% forex markup).

This solution provides virtual international bank accounts for businesses regularly receiving foreign payments. Clients can pay via local bank transfers in multiple currencies. The system generates automated digital FIRA and uses live forex rates for currency conversion.

Pricing: 1% of the transaction amount with no additional forex markup.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Skydo</a> is an international payment platform designed for Indian freelancers and businesses. It provides virtual international bank accounts that let clients pay you as if you were a local business in their country. The platform offers accounts in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other major markets.

Skydo converts payments using live forex rates without markup, meaning you get the exact exchange rate you see on Google. The platform also includes invoice generation, payment tracking, and analytics tools to help manage international income.

Wise Business: A Solid Razorpay Alternative for Freelancers and Small Businesses

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top_5_wise_alternatives_for_international_payment">Wise (formerly TransferWise)</a> offers multi-currency accounts for businesses of all sizes receiving international payments. The platform started as a peer-to-peer remittance service but has expanded to provide accounts that can hold and convert multiple currencies.

PayPal: A Globally Accepted Razorpay Alternative

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/top-paypal-india-alternatives-for-international-payment">PayPal</a> is one of the most widely recognized payment platforms globally, handling cross-border personal and business transactions.

PingPong: A Viable Razorpay Alternative for ecommerce&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/pingpong-payments-review-fees-features">PingPong</a> focuses on simplifying international payments for freelancers and e-commerce sellers, with particular attention to marketplace integration.

Payoneer: A Solid Razorpay Alternative for Marketplace Integrations

Founded in 2005, <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-fees-india-guide">Payoneer</a> is an established platform for international payments, particularly popular with freelancers and marketplace sellers.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/karbon-business-features-pricing-and-alternatives">Karbon Business </a>(formerly Karbon Card) is an Indian fintech platform that started with corporate cards but has expanded to international digital payments. The platform handles both inward and outward remittances for Indian businesses.

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/eximpe-reviews-fees-alternative">Eximpe</a> provides payment solutions specifically designed for cross-border transactions. The platform caters to freelancers and small businesses who regularly work with international clients.

Receive seamless International Payments with Skdyo

Skydo makes getting paid from international clients feel a lot less complicated. You get virtual accounts in major markets like the US, UK, Singapore, and Australia,&nbsp; and once the payment comes in, it’s usually in your Indian bank account within 24 hours.

What really makes a difference though? You always know where your money is. With real-time tracking and helpful reminders, you’re never in the dark. Plus, Skydo gives you the live forex rate (no hidden markups) and your FIRA instantly — so you stay compliant without the usual back and forth.

Add to that a 5-minute setup and a support team that’s actually based in India — and it’s easy to see why more businesses are switching. If you’re looking for a smoother, more transparent way to handle international payments, Skydo could be a great fit.

RazorPay Alternatives for receiving international payments

large_RazorPay Alternatives for receiving international payments

medium_RazorPay Alternatives for receiving international payments

small_RazorPay Alternatives for receiving international payments

thumbnail_RazorPay Alternatives for receiving international payments

Stripe vs Payoneer,&nbsp; both are trusted names in international payments, but they serve different needs. Stripe is great for online businesses with developer-friendly tools, while Payoneer is popular among freelancers and marketplace sellers.

In this blog, we break down their features, pricing, pros, and cons.&nbsp; And if neither feels right, we’ve also included a solid alternative worth exploring, which is more affordable than both options.

Stripe Vs Payoneer: Understanding the Differences

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/stripe-india-charges-review-alternatives">Stripe</a> is an Irish-American comprehensive cross-border payment solution that allows businesses to accept payments in 135+ currencies. It offers flexible UI components like masking styling and error handling to help businesses build a seamless branded checkout experience. It also supports one-time and recurring payments through instant <a href="https://stripe.com/in/payments/payment-links">payment links</a> or by embedding its <a href="https://stripe.com/in/payments/checkout">checkout solution</a> on the website directly. Stripe could be a good choice if you run an e-commerce business with international buyers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, Stripe operates on an<a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/stripe-accounts-are-invite-only-in-india"> invite-only model</a> in India. This means you cannot directly sign up on the website; you have to send them an invite, and if they accept it, you get access to the product. There is no definite timeline for when your invite will be accepted because Stripe is only providing access to businesses focused on global expansion.&nbsp;

Processing Fees: <a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/additional-pricing-information-for-indian-cross-border-sellers">4.3%</a> of the transaction amount

Currency conversion fee: <a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/additional-pricing-information-for-indian-cross-border-sellers">2%</a> of the current exchange rate

Additional fee: Stripe also levies ancillary fees for chargebacks and disputes. For example, Stripe&nbsp; deducts <a href="https://stripe.com/in/pricing">Rs. 1000 as a chargeback fee</a> in the event of a lost dispute

No FIRA: Stripe doesn’t provide a FIRA. <a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/firc-payment-advice-for-international-transactions-in-india">Payment advice</a> is sent to your email address, which you can use to obtain FIRA from your bank at an additional fee

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/payoneer-payment-gateway-features-fees">Payoneer</a> was founded in 2005 in New York. It is a global payment platform allowing businesses to send and receive payments in 70+ currencies. It offers <a href="https://www1.payoneer.com/in/solutions/global-payment-service/">multi-currency virtual accounts</a> to users in countries like the US, UK, Europe (EU), Australia, and China, with other flexible payment modes like bank transfers and card payments.&nbsp;

In India, you can use the Payoneer payment gateway to receive international payments. Payoneer also provides Indian customers with free digital FIRA to stay compliant with the rules. Ordinarily, payments made through local bank transfer or wire transfer/SWIFT take approximately <a href="https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/33930/~/what-is-the-status-of-my-payment%3F-%28receiving-accounts%29">three business days</a> to be credited to your account. Payoneer has also built itself as an enterprise-compliant solution by offering features like <a href="https://www1.payoneer.com/in/enterprise/">mass payouts and API support</a>.

Payoneer Pricing for Receiving International Payments

Virtual Accounts: 1% for USD, free for all currencies

Credit Card: 3.2%+&nbsp; $0.49&nbsp;

Withdrawal Fees:&nbsp;A 3% withdrawal fee is applied when withdrawing the payment from your local bank account in India. This applies to all the above payment methods.

Based on what we have covered so far, it might be a bit too much for you to wrap your head around.

To make it easier to comprehend, we have summarized the key differences between the payment solutions in this table. This will also help you make an informed decision about which one is closer to your requirements.

Skydo: An affordable alternative to receiving international payments

Skydo is a cost-effective alternative to Stripe and Payoneer and can address the pain points that Indian businesses and freelancers might face on these platforms.

Skydo offers flat-fee pricing with no additional account maintenance charges or fixed fees. Here’s the breakdown of the fee structure:

Plus, Skydo gives you the live forex rate with zero markup, something both platforms don’t offer. That means your payment gets converted at the actual market rate on the day of transfer, not a rupee less

Stripe and Payoneer may have strong global reach, but for Indian businesses, they often fall short. Their fees are higher, settlements are slower, and support is limited, with no India-based team and mixed customer reviews. Many users report<a href="https://www.g2.com/products/stripe-stripe-payments/reviews?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;filters%5Bcomment_answer_values%5D=support"> long wait times </a>and <a href="https://www.g2.com/products/payoneer/reviews/payoneer-review-10770537">unresolved issues</a>, especially when it comes to compliance and troubleshooting.

Skydo offers a better alternative: ✅ Lower, transparent pricing
 ✅ 24-48 hour settlement ✅ Dedicated India-based support ✅ Skydo has received in principle RBI-approval to operate as a Payment Aggregator for Cross-Border Payments

Built for Indian exporters, freelancers, and global sellers, Skydo makes international payments fast, affordable, and fully compliant.

Think it’s a fit? You’ll know in 5 minutes.
 👉 Sign up now and get started.

large_Stripe Vs Payoneer

medium_Stripe Vs Payoneer

small_Stripe Vs Payoneer

thumbnail_Stripe Vs Payoneer

Stripe Vs Payoneer

You've finally landed that international client, but now comes the payment headache. When a client pays you, say, $5,000 from abroad, you often wrestle with high fees, poor exchange rates, and complicated paperwork, making your well-earned money a frustrating experience.

Briskpe, based in Mumbai, offers payment solutions for international transactions. Their service aims to simplify cross-border payments for freelancers and small businesses who regularly work with overseas clients.

Let's look at what Briskpe offers, how it works, and whether it might be the right payment solution for your business needs, or if there is a better alternative:

Here's what Briskpe offers to simplify your cross border payment struggles:

Here's what Briskpe charges you for receiving international payments:

Transaction Fee stands at 1% for all international payments you receive. If your UK client sends you USD 5,000, Briskpe will charge you $50 as their processing fee. The percentage remains consistent regardless of the payment amount or the currency involved.

Live Forex Rate is applied when converting between currencies. Briskpe provides real-time exchange rates without the hidden charges and markups.&nbsp;

When comparing these costs to traditional banking options, Briskpe's 1% fee is generally lower than the 3-5% many freelancers pay through combinations of wire transfer fees, currency conversion costs, and intermediary bank charges. However, is it the most affordable option out there for receiving international payments? We'll find out.&nbsp;

Skdyo: A Seamless Briskpe Alternative for Receiving International Payments&nbsp;

If you're looking beyond Briskpe for international payment solutions offering a variety of payment options, Skydo offers another option worth considering.

Skydo provides a more affordable fee structure that could save money, especially on more significant transactions, to meet your diverse client needs. Unlike Briskpe's percentage-based model, Skydo uses a simple flat fee approach:

This pricing structure makes a real difference to your bottom line. Let's look at two examples:

For a $5,000 payment, Briskpe would charge you $50 (1% fee). With Skydo, you'd pay just $29, saving you $21 on that transaction.

The savings become even more significant with larger amounts. For a $20,000 payment, Briskpe would take $200 from your earnings. Skydo's 0.3% fee would amount to only $60, saving you $140 on just one payment.

Like Briskpe, Skydo offers zero FX margin, meaning you get the actual market exchange rate when converting currencies. According to their calculator, this transparent approach could save you up to ₹89,052 annually compared to traditional banks.

What sets Skydo apart is its focus on customer support and user experience. They provide global accounts in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and 10+ other countries, which you can set up in just 5 minutes. Their unified platform includes instant FIRA documentation and real-time payment tracking, helping you keep tabs on your money as it moves.

Skydo also integrates additional features that make managing international income easier, including GST-compliant invoicing, payment reminders, client ledger tracking, and business analytics tools—creating a more comprehensive solution for freelancers, medium enterprises, and small businesses.

For Amazon marketplace sellers, Skydo offers specialized services for Amazon Global Selling across multiple marketplaces with tailored pricing.

Want to explore Skydo for your international payments?

<a href="https://www.skydo.com/">Get started now</a>

large_Briskpe: Reviews, Fees and Alternatives

medium_Briskpe: Reviews, Fees and Alternatives

small_Briskpe: Reviews, Fees and Alternatives

thumbnail_Briskpe: Reviews, Fees and Alternatives

Briskpe: Reviews, Fees and Alternatives

Trusted by 2 million customers worldwide, Stripe is a payment processing and payment gateway platform with additional services like invoicing, billing, and subscription management. But is Stripe the most affordable for Indian businesses and freelancers to receive international payments? In this blog, we will delve into Stripe fees and discover if there's a more affordable alternative for businesses <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/how-to-receive-international-payments-in-india">to receive international payments in India</a>.&nbsp;

Stripe India offers a robust cross-border payment solution, allowing businesses to accept payments in over 135 currencies. Its customizable UI components, including masking, styling, and error handling, help businesses create a seamless branded checkout experience. Stripe supports both one-time and recurring payments through instant payment links or direct website integration.

Note that, in India, Stripe functions on an<a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/stripe-accounts-are-invite-only-in-india"> invite-only basis</a>. Meaning you cannot sign up from the Stripe website directly, you must request an invite to create a Stripe account. You get access only when Stripe approves this invite but there is no clear timeline on how long it will take to approve an invitation. The Stripe support page also mentions that they can only assist a limited number of companies focused on international expansion.

Besides the invite-only model, Stripe users in India can only use a credit or a debit card to accept international payments. This might be a drawback for your business if your client prefers a different payment method.

If the invite-only model and a single payment option work for you, we suggest exploring the next section closely as we analyze the different Stripe fee categories.

With Stripe you can accept payments in 135+ currencies through Visa and Master Card; American Express only supports USD. While you have more flexibility to accept payments through international cards, the overall fee structure is on the steeper side.

Processing Fees: Stripe charges<a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/additional-pricing-information-for-indian-cross-border-sellers"> 4.3% as processing fees</a> on every successful transaction.

Currency Conversion Fee: An additional<a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/additional-pricing-information-for-indian-cross-border-sellers"> 2% fee</a> is charged for currency conversion.

Additional fees: Stripe may also charge an additional chargeback fee of <a href="https://stripe.com/in/pricing">Rs. 1000 in the event of a lost dispute</a>. A dispute occurs when your client challenges a charge with their bank or credit card provider. The payment is immediately reversed and Stripe debits the amount from your account and the dispute fee.&nbsp;

No FIRA: Stripe does not offer a<a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-firc-a-complete-guide"> FIRA</a> after you receive an international payment. A<a href="https://support.stripe.com/questions/firc-payment-advice-for-international-transactions-in-india"> payment advice</a> is emailed to your account so that you can present it to your bank and get the FIRA after paying a fee.

Stripe Fees For Receiving International Payments In India

In this section, we will use an example to understand how much you can expect to lose to fees if you were to get a payment via Stripe.&nbsp;

Imagine you received a payment of USD 10,000 from a client in the United States. Here’s the calculation for the amount you will receive in your account:

At first, a Stripe processing fee of 4.3% will be deducted from this amount, which is USD 430. The balance amount now is USD 9,570.

An additional 2% will be charged on the USD to INR exchange rate. Assuming the exchange rate is Rs. 85 for 1 USD, the effective exchange rate will become Rs. 83.3 , post the 2% currency conversion fee

We will multiply the balance amount by the reduced exchange rate to calculate the final amount. Final amount = 9570 X 83.3 =&nbsp; Rs. 797,181

So how much money did you lose as fees? To know that we will compare the full value $10,000 with the final amount we calculated in the last step. Full value = 10000 X 85 = 850,000

Final amount = Rs. 797,181. Amount lost as Stripe’s fees = Rs. 52,819 ($621)

In addition to Stripe’s fees, you must spend a bit extra to obtain the FIRA from the bank. Every bank has a different fee structure, usually starting at Rs. 200 for each FIRA. For example,<a href="https://www.hdfcbank.com/personal/pay/money-transfer/remittance/fees-and-charges"> HDFC Bank charges Rs. 200</a> for issuing an FIRA.&nbsp;

If we add the FIRA fees, the total is Rs. 53,019

To summarize, to receive a payment of $10,000, you will lose Rs. 53,000 as Stripe + FIRA fees.

Skydo: An Affordable And Seamless Stripe Alternative To Receive International Payments

Despite its popularity and global trust, Stripe’s invite-only model and high fee structure might not be the best option for most Indian businesses. Skydo is a practical alternative to Stripe and offers a quick, secure, and cost-effective solution to all Indian businesses.

Skydo offers international virtual accounts linked to your bank account. These virtual accounts act as digital delivery agents — accepting payments from international clients and delivering them to your bank account. Virtual accounts provide immense flexibility to manage your international payments in different currencies. You can create separate virtual accounts for customers in key regions like the US, the UK, Australia, and Singapore to keep track of payments efficiently.&nbsp;

Skydo has a simple fee structure with no hidden charges. For accepting payments under $2000, the charges are $19, for payments between $2001-$10,000 the charges are $29, and for payments more than $10,000 it’s 0.3% of the amount. There are no additional currency conversion fees and currency is converted at the live exchange rate.&nbsp;

This makes Skydo a more affordable alternative to Stripe. How? Let’s go back to our previous example.

For receiving a payment of $10,000, Stripe fees cost you Rs. 53,019 ($624)

For receiving the same amount through Skydo it will cost you $29 which is Rs. 2465 — assuming an exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 85.&nbsp;

The difference is: INR 53,019 - INR 2465 = INR 50,554. This amount is your saving from using Skydo.

Beyond affordable fees, here's why you should choose Skydo your trusted international payments platform:

Free and Instant FIRA: Skydo offers free and instant FIRA for every transaction

Local Customer Support: Our India-based customer team is always ready to help businesses navigate through any onboarding or payment-related query.

User-friendly Interface: Skydo's UI is designed for easy usability and navigation

Fully Compliant: Skydo is one of India's first homegrown platforms to receive&nbsp; In-Principle Authorization (IPA)&nbsp;from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a&nbsp;Payment Aggregator - Cross-Border Exports (PA-CB-E), ensure that all your payments are 100% secure and compliant.&nbsp;

Switch to Skydo today to experience the difference. 

Want to explore more Stripe alternatives? Check out our <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/stripe-alternatives-for-international-payments-in-india">Top 5 Stripe alternatives blog</a>. If you’re curious how Stripe fares against PayPal only, then head over to our <a href="https://www.skydo.com/blog/stripe-vs-paypal-international-payments-2025">Stripe vs PayPal</a> deep-dive analysis.

Growing Global

Understanding Global Payments blogs