Foreign Exchange (FX)

What foreign exchange is

Foreign exchange, shortened to FX, converts one currency into another, such as pounds sterling into US dollars. For a US business, that conversion enters a payment when the customer's payment currency differs from the currency you receive, or when you pay a supplier in another currency.

The exchange rate sets how much of one currency buys another. FX is not automatically a fee charged to your business: the conversion, any rate markup and any separately billed charge depend on the payment arrangement. A customer's card issuer can also convert a US-dollar purchase to the cardholder's billing currency.

The exchange rate and any markup both affect what your business actually receives.

Where conversion happens

For a customer payment, the checkout currency, processing currency and settlement currency determine whether your payment provider converts the funds. For example, a US merchant can display a price in pounds, accept payment in pounds and receive settlement in dollars. The conversion rate used for that payment determines the dollar amount credited.

FX also applies when you pay an overseas supplier. A bank or payment provider converts the money, and a transfer that passes through intermediary banks can incur additional charges. A spot payment uses the rate for the transaction date; a forward contract fixes a rate for a future payment, subject to the contract's terms.

What FX means for your costs

Your FX cost can come from a less favorable exchange rate, a stated conversion fee, a provider markup built into the rate, or an intermediary-bank charge. These costs are not one universal percentage. Compare the rate and every separate charge with the amount your business expected to receive or pay.

For an illustrative example, a 2% markup on a $10,000 conversion costs $200 before any separate charges. Exchange rates also move, so a foreign-currency invoice due in 90 days can cost a different amount in dollars than it does today. That change affects your margin and cash forecast.

Do not assume every international card sale creates an FX charge on your processing bill. If you charge the customer in US dollars and receive settlement in US dollars, the customer's card issuer can handle conversion for the cardholder. When your provider converts your settlement, compare the quoted rate, the credited amount and any separate FX fee.

What you can actually change

You cannot control market exchange rates, but you can choose when conversion happens and compare the full cost of available payment arrangements. Focus on the rate used, separate fees and the currency your business receives.

• Compare the quoted exchange rate with a market reference rate for the same time and currency pair.
• Reconcile the original transaction amount, settlement amount and any separately listed FX charge.
• Choose whether to price, accept and settle in US dollars or a foreign currency based on customer and cash-flow needs.
• For planned supplier payments, compare a spot rate with a forward contract's fixed rate and terms.

1. 01
   Track the full conversion. Record the original amount, converted amount, rate and separate charges for each currency pair.
2. 02
   Check your settlement. Match foreign-currency sales to the dollar amount deposited and identify any FX fee listed separately.
3. 03
   Plan supplier payments. Compare the cost and terms of converting at payment time with fixing a rate for a future payment.

Frequently asked questions