Invoicing international clients without losing 5% on fees

International invoicing has two layers of fees you don't see until the money lands: the brand's outgoing wire fee, and the currency-conversion fee your bank quietly applies. Both are 1–3%. By the time the invoice clears, you can lose 5% of your gross without noticing.

Write the line item in the brand's local currency

First, decide: are you billing in your home currency or in the brand's? The right answer is almost always the brand's. A Brussels brand paying a US creator in USD adds currency-conversion costs on their side, and they'll often mentally discount your rate against local creators. Bill in EUR for a Brussels brand. Bill in GBP for a London one. Bill in USD for a New York one.

"I billed my first three UK brands in USD. All three politely asked to be invoiced in GBP. I switched; my close rate went from 'rare' to 'almost always.'" — Hana T., Newsletter writer · Substack

Wise vs. PayPal for actually receiving the money

• Wise: typically 0.4–1.5% all-in, mid-market rate. Best for large invoices (>$2,000) where the percentage compounds meaningfully.

• PayPal: 3–4% with currency conversion, but instant and universally accepted. Best for small invoices, one-off work, and clients who refuse to bank-transfer internationally.

• Bank wires (SWIFT): $25–50 flat fee plus a 1–2% conversion spread built into the exchange rate. The worst of both worlds. Don't choose this if you have alternatives.

The 'how to write USD on a line item' trick

On multi-currency invoices, write the amount in two forms: the local currency as the primary, and your home currency in parentheses, with the exchange rate used. 'EUR 2,200 (USD 2,400 @ 0.92 EUR/USD).' This prevents the brand's AP team from doing their own rate check and emailing to ask why the invoice is different from what they expected.

When it gets complicated

If you invoice more than five countries, or invoicing represents more than 30% of your income, talk to an accountant who specialises in cross-border creator work. The first year alone usually saves more than the accountant's fee in un-lost conversion fees.