Sample Transaction Fee Schedules
| Customer Payment | Stripe Fee | Net Deposit | Effective Take Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.84 | $9.16 | 8.40% |
| $50.00 | $3.00 | $47.00 | 6.00% |
| $100.00 | $5.70 | $94.30 | 5.70% |
| $500.00 | $27.30 | $472.70 | 5.46% |
| $1,000.00 | $54.30 | $945.70 | 5.43% |
| $5,000.00 | $270.30 | $4,729.70 | 5.41% |
Cross-Border Stacking & Currency Conversion Mechanics
International payment processing involves two independent surcharges that stack on top of Stripe's base domestic fee: the cross-border card surcharge and the foreign exchange (FX) conversion fee.
The cross-border fee (+1.5% in the US, +0.8% in Canada) applies whenever the cardholder's issuing bank is located in a different country from your Stripe account. This covers foreign interchange and international card network processing fees.
The currency conversion fee (+1.0% in the US, +2.0% in Europe and Canada) triggers when the currency charged differs from your Stripe account's default payout currency. Stacking both surcharges raises effective merchant fees to over 5.4%.
Operational Scenarios & Fee Impacts
US Merchant Selling to UK Customer in GBP ($100 USD Equivalent)
Base rate (2.9%) + International surcharge (1.5%) + FX conversion (1.0%) = 5.4% + $0.30. Fee is $5.70, netting $94.30.
$100.00 × 5.4% ($5.40) + $0.30 fixed = $5.70 total feeUS Merchant Selling to German Customer in USD ($1,000)
Because the customer was billed in USD, the 1% FX fee is waived, but the 1.5% international card fee applies: 4.4% + $0.30 = $44.30.
$1,000.00 × 4.4% ($44.00) + $0.30 = $44.30 fee (saved $10 FX)Setting Up Multi-Currency Settlement Accounts
High-volume merchants maintain local bank accounts in EUR, GBP, and USD, avoiding the 1-2% FX conversion hit entirely.
Saves up to $20,000 per $1,000,000 in international volumePayment Processing FAQs
Can I charge customers in foreign currency without paying the 1% FX fee?
Yes, by adding a bank account denominated in that specific currency to your Stripe account. Stripe will settle directly into that account with zero FX markup.
Why does Stripe charge 1.5% for international cards?
International transactions involve foreign exchange interchange, cross-border network clearing fees, and higher dispute settlement risk.
What is dynamic currency conversion (Adaptive Pricing)?
Stripe Adaptive Pricing allows customers in 150+ countries to pay in their local currency while automatically managing the conversion margin.