When you send money abroad, the advertised fee is rarely the whole story. The larger cost is often hidden in the exchange rate itself.
The margin you do not see
Providers frequently add a margin to the exchange rate — a markup over the true market rate. On a large transfer, a margin of a few percent can dwarf any flat fee, yet it never appears as a line item.
Why it adds up
A 3% margin on a $25,000 supplier payment is $750 — on a single transfer. For a business that pays overseas regularly, that cost compounds month after month, often invisibly.
What to compare
Ask for the exchange rate you will actually receive, compare it to the market rate, and calculate the total cost including any fees. A lower margin can save more than shopping for a lower flat fee.
Estimate what a lower margin could save with the FX tool in our business calculators, or see sending abroad.