Money

PayPal Exchange Rate – Avoid Currency Conversion in PayPal

When a client makes a payment in a currency that is not the primary currency for the account, PayPal allows it to convert into the primary currency. Avoid such currency conversion in PayPal.

Every Indian who receive payments in PayPal complains about their exchange rates. If you are one of those, do check out the PayPal alternatives as well.

When PayPal Offers Multiple Currency Conversions?

There is a primary currency of receiving money associated with an account. Typically it is USD.

Depending on the country of residence, there is a withdrawal currency as well. For me, in India, it is Indian Rupees.

The best part of PayPal is, your account can have a primary currency in USD, but it allows multiple balances in each supported currency. One of the main reasons why everyone blogger and freelancer should have a PayPal account.

As I can accept payment in any currency other than USD, like pounds, Australian dollar, etc. When someone receives payment in those currencies, PayPal offers an option to convert them to the primary currency.

Let me share a recent incidence of PayPal currency conversion.

How to Avoid Currency Conversions in PayPal

A UK client sent me PayPal payment in GBP. When accepting the amount instead of converting the payment in USD, accept the payment in GBP only. Add an additional currency balance in my account and kept the payment in GBP balance.

The reason to be doing it is, I had 163.17 GBP in my PayPal account. When converting GBP to USD, PayPal interface shows it will give me 251.58 USD.

In the currency converter form of PayPal, 251.58 USD and 163.17 GBP does not give the same amount in Indian Rupees.

Currency Conversion PayPal from 251.58 USD to INR

The amount of 251.58 USD converts to ~12,306 Indian Rupees but 163.17 GBP gets me ~12,622 Indian Rupees.

Currency Conversion PayPal from 163.17 GBP to INR

When one receives money in PayPal, it is quite intuitive to convert into the primary currency. Ideally, one should always avoid doing it.

To accept the payment in the new currency, add that currency to your PayPal account. Then withdraw from the other currency balance to the Indian bank account.

As shown in the image below, this is what I did without converting the GBP Balance to USD.

Also read:
Purpose Code is a code issued by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to classify the nature of foreign currency transaction.

Final Thoughts

Avoid currency conversion in PayPal. It is the only way to get the most out of the money you receive in PayPal. I am sure it will help the fellow Indian freelancers and bloggers get a few extra bucks out of PayPal.

Shabbir Bhimani

Blogging Since 2009. If I can leave my high paying C# job in an MNC in the midst of global financial crisis of 2008, anybody can do it. @BizTips I guide programmers and developers to Start and Grow an Online Business. Read more about me here.

Recent Posts

Absolute Beginners Guide to Google Ads

Free Google Ads Tutorial for an absolute beginner covering campaigns and their types, networks, keywords,…

2 years ago

How Freshers Can Make Money Programming in Java

Do you want to make money programming in Java? Here are 6 creative ways for…

3 years ago

Financial Freedom for Freelancers – 9 Smart Ways

9 smart ways for freelancers to achieve financial freedom. First, you have to believe it…

3 years ago

How To Become A Self-Taught Developer

With so many programming languages and resources available, it can be information overall to learn…

3 years ago

Wise Review – Best Exchange Rates For Indian Freelancers

Wise review from an Indian freelancers point of view to receive payments in India. How…

3 years ago

How to Tell a Client you Can’t Lower the Price?

There are 3 types of clients who want you to lower the price. How to…

3 years ago