Payments, UPI and COD

How to accept international payments as an Indian D2C brand

Sell to customers abroad: activating international cards, showing prices in local currency, fees, settlement in rupees, shipping, duties and tax basics.

By Orvexa TeamUpdated 7 October 20263 min read

A street food vendor serving from a large basket in Amritsar — Photo: flowcomm, CC BY 2.0 · All photo credits

Key takeaways

International card payments usually need a separate activation and extra documents
Expect fees of around 3% plus currency conversion handled by the gateway
Shipping, duties and returns often cost more than payment fees, so plan them first

Selling abroad can double your market, but payments are only one part of the puzzle. Here is the whole path for an Indian D2C brand.

Step 1: Activate international payments

Gateways such as Razorpay accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express from overseas customers, in many currencies, and settle in rupees. The feature is not on by default. You request it in your dashboard and submit extra compliance details, which can include business documents and, for physical goods, an Importer-Exporter Code. Requirements change, so read the current instructions.

Step 2: Understand the fees

Razorpay's international payments pages list about 3% for cards, with currency conversion included. Add your platform's own charges, and remember that the customer's bank may add a foreign-transaction fee. Include all of this in your price.

Step 3: Show prices in local currency

Shoppers trust prices in their own currency. Decide whether to price in one currency (USD, say) or display several. Fixed prices per country avoid surprises from exchange rate swings. Orvexa's own pricing page shows how local pricing can work.

Step 4: Plan shipping, duties and returns

Question	Why it matters
Which couriers ship to which countries, and how long?	Sets delivery promises
Who pays import duties and taxes: the customer on delivery, or you upfront?	Surprise duty bills cause refusals
What is your returns policy for overseas orders?	International returns are expensive
Are any products restricted?	Food, cosmetics and some textiles face rules

For many small brands, shipping and duties cost more than payment fees, so work them out before you advertise abroad.

Step 5: Tax and compliance basics

Exports of goods are generally treated differently for GST (often zero-rated under conditions), and you may need to file specific paperwork. Selling to the EU, UK or other countries can also bring consumer, product and privacy rules (GDPR). This is general information, so ask a chartered accountant and a customs specialist.

Step 6: Build trust

Overseas shoppers have never heard of you. Show reviews, clear contact details, a transparent returns policy and realistic delivery times. Make your checkout secure, fast and available in the language your customers use.

Test with a pilot market

Pick one country with shipping options you trust, such as the UK or UAE, and sell there for three months. Measure order value, delivery time, return rate and total profit per order before adding more countries.

What to do next

List your five best sellers and check whether they can legally and affordably ship to your first target country. If any cannot, remove them from that market instead of discovering the problem after payment.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a separate account to accept foreign cards?

You usually need to activate international payments on your existing gateway account. The provider will tell you which documents are required.

Which currency should I price in?

US dollars are common for broad audiences, but pricing in the customer's own currency, such as pounds or dirhams, builds trust. Keep it consistent per country.

Who pays customs duty?

It depends on how you ship. Delivered duty paid means you collect and pay it, while delivered at place means the customer pays on arrival. State which one you use at checkout.

Topics:international paymentsexportrazorpaycurrencyd2c