Configure international payment fees
When you have ambassadors outside the United States, an international payment fee applies to their automated payments. This article explains the fee, how to configure who pays it, and how it affects payment amounts.
International Payment Fee
A 3% international fee is applied to automated payments sent to ambassadors outside the United States. This fee is charged by the payment platform (Dots) for processing cross-border transfers.
U.S. ambassadors are not affected — the international fee only applies to ambassadors in other countries.
Who Pays the Fee?
You choose who absorbs the international fee. There are two options:
Option 1: Brand Pays (You Absorb the Fee)
- The 3% fee is added to your payment costs
- Ambassadors receive their full commission amount
- The fee is included in your ACH transfer amount
- Example: $100 commission → Ambassador receives $100, you pay $103
Option 2: Ambassador Pays (Deducted from Payout)
- The 3% fee is deducted from the ambassador's payment
- You pay only the commission amount
- Ambassadors receive slightly less than their full commission
- Example: $100 commission → Ambassador receives $97, you pay $100
Configure the Fee Setting
- Go to Settings > Payment Settings
- Find the International payment fee section
- Select one of the two options:
- Brand pays (you absorb the fee)
- Payee pays (deducted from payout)
- Click Save
This setting applies to all programs enrolled in automated payments. You cannot set different fee configurations per program.
When the Fee Applies
The international fee is applied at the time of payment, based on the ambassador's country:
- U.S. ambassadors: No international fee, regardless of setting
- International ambassadors: 3% fee applied, paid by whichever party you've configured
- The fee is calculated on the total payout amount for each ambassador
How It Appears in Payment Details
In the Brand Portal
- The ACH transfer notification and PDF invoice include international fees in the total
- The Automated Payment Schedule drawer reflects fees in the projected amounts
- Sent payment batch details show the fee breakdown per ambassador
In the Ambassador Portal
- If ambassador pays: The ambassador sees their commission amount and the deducted fee in their payment details
- If brand pays: The ambassador sees their full commission amount with no fee deduction
Changing the Fee Setting
You can change who pays the international fee at any time:
- Update the setting in Payment Settings
- Click Save
- The change takes effect for future payment batches
Changing the setting does not retroactively affect previously sent payments.
Best Practices
- Consider your ambassador base: If most of your ambassadors are international, the brand-pays option may be a better experience for them but will increase your costs
- Communicate the fee: If ambassadors pay the fee, let them know upfront so the deduction isn't a surprise
- Factor fees into commission rates: If you choose ambassador-pays, consider setting slightly higher commission rates for international ambassadors to offset the fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the fee apply to all international ambassadors?
Yes, the 3% fee applies to any ambassador outside the United States, regardless of their specific country.
Can I exempt certain ambassadors from the fee?
No, the fee setting is brand-wide. All international ambassadors are subject to the same fee configuration.
Is the fee included in the ACH transfer amount?
Yes, when you (the brand) pay the fee, it's included in the ACH transfer amount pulled from your bank account. You'll see it reflected in the PDF invoice.
What if I don't have international ambassadors?
The setting has no effect if all your ambassadors are in the United States. You can leave it at either option — no fees will be charged.
Related Articles
- Getting started with automated paymentsGetting Started with Automated Payments
- Prepare for ACH funding transferPrepare for ACH Funding Transfer
- Understand automated payment timelinesUnderstand Automated Payment Timelines