5 Signs You’re Overpaying for International Payments
5 Signs You’re Overpaying for International Payments
Most SMEs don’t realise how much they’re losing on currency transfers — but the signs are easy to spot once you know what to look for.
Here are 5 quick red flags:
You Always Get “Round” FX Rates
If you’re getting rates like 1.10 or 1.15 exactly, that’s usually a sign the provider is adding a margin on top of the real rate.
No Line-Item Breakdown of Fees
If your invoice or confirmation doesn’t show the spread, markup, or total FX cost, it’s likely hidden inside the rate itself.
You’re Using a Bank by Default
Most high-street banks charge 2–4% in FX margin. That’s £200–£400 on a £10,000 transfer, without telling you.
You Don’t Benchmark Rates
If you never compare your rate to the mid-market rate at the time of transfer, you can’t see how much you’re overpaying.
You Assume “It’s Not That Much”
FX costs add up — over a year, even a 2% markup can mean £10,000+ lost for a small business.
✅ Find Out in 60 Seconds Use our free Foreign Payment Calculator to:
- Check what your provider actually charged
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