Best Practices for Ensuring Transparency in FX Transactions

Indian businesses today are growing beyond the traditional borders, all thanks to the FinTech revolution. However, there is still one pain point that businesses with global reach struggle with – international payments.

For companies expanding in the overseas market, it is essential to understand how forex transactions work. Only when businesses get a grip on how inward remittances, international payments, and currency exchange rates work they can optimize their cash flow.

In this blog, we learn what exactly forex transactions are and why there is a strict need for transparency in such transactions.

What is a FX Transaction?

A foreign currency transaction or FX transaction is a process through which companies manage international payments when buying or selling products or services. FX transactions also refer to borrowing or lending money that is denominated in a currency other than its functional/national currency.

In simple words, FX transactions mean exchanging one currency for another during money transfer.

As a business, you might have to pay a global supplier or receive an investment from another country. Any and all business international remittances fall under FX transactions.

Challenges Businesses Face with FX Transactions

In a global economy, international payments are as common. However, businesses need to be aware of stealthy charges on foreign exchanges that can impact their overall revenue. Hidden fees and forex markups can often leave business owners blindsided during their overseas business deals. These challenges can be categorized into two groups.

Lack of transparency: FX transaction costs are tricky. It is calculated as the difference between the traded rate at the point of the transaction and the mid-market rate at that time. Since fund managers work with a small number of banks to avoid the complexity of managing a larger banking network, price comparisons are often ineffective.

Inconsistent pricing: The best forex deals are usually reserved for companies with high transaction volumes, leaving smaller companies with higher pricing. Surprisingly, it is a commonly known practice in the industry.

Best Practices to Ensure Transparency in International Payments

Hidden expenses in international payments affect everyone regardless of the company size. However, it can be overcome through following best practices that enable transparency.

Companies need a robust digital solution like Zaggle International Payments (ZIP) that guarantees transparency and efficiency for all your global payments. It will introduce complete transparency from initial price discovery to reporting by ensuring best practices.

Seamless payment tracking system

Businesses need a simple solution that enables quick account setup so that they can receive international payments or inward remittances within weeks instead of setting up a network of FX units with multiple banks.

Cost savings with timely transactions

Companies must also check the live FX rates before initiating inward remittances. That is, if the market is volatile or not favourable, you can hold up on the transaction. This way you can avoid currency conversion losses.

Get a complete transaction breakdown

With an advanced solution, you know all the deductions that your transaction will undergo. It will give you a breakdown of all the charges including transaction fees, applicable GST and FX rates.

Comply with RBI guidelines including FEMA

As per India’s Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), businesses must comply with standard guidelines including FIRC (for exporters). These regulations also involve businesses being notified of the market trends, risks, and fees.

Take Your Business Overseas with Zaggle International Payments

Most business owners aspire to expand their businesses across borders. However, a lack of clarity on inward remittances can come up as major roadblocks. Besides tackling high forex rates and transaction costs, companies must also deal with hidden costs. All of this can be avoided by using Zaggle International Payments (ZIP). It offers the below features.

• Forex markup: Zaggle offers industry-best markup fees so that you can manage your international payments seamlessly. 
• User-friendly platform: Our solution will offer a dashboard where you can keep an eye on live exchange rates, and maintain a stringent audit trail.
• Instant FIRC: Zaggle International Payments (ZIP) allows you to instantly download Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate (FIRC)