If you're an Indian freelancer receiving USD via PayPal, your effective loss is almost never the "4.4%" advertised. Here's the actual breakdown on a $1,000 invoice with USD→INR at 83.50.
The visible fee
PayPal charges **4.4% + $0.30** for cross-border transactions to India. On $1,000, that's $44.30, or about ₹3,699.
The hidden fee — FX markup
PayPal converts USD to INR at a rate roughly **2.5% below the mid-market interbank rate**. On the $955.70 left after fees, that's another ~₹1,995 silently lost.
Total real loss
Around **₹5,694 on a $1,000 invoice** — about 6.8%, not 4.4%. Use the [calculator on the home page](/) to plug in your own numbers.
What to do about it
- Switch to **Wise Business** — transparent 0.5% fee, mid-market rate, zero markup.
- Use **Payoneer** if your client insists on a card-style processor — markup is only 1.5%.
- For high-volume B2B, consider direct **SWIFT wire** to an INR account (your bank's FX spread will vary, compare it first).
Reverse-invoicing fix
If the client won't absorb fees, our [Reverse Invoice Engine](/) tells you exactly what to bill so the net amount you need lands in your account. Stop eating fees.
