Amazon Exchange Rate Calculator

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Amazon Currency Converter vs. Bank Rate

The total price on the Amazon checkout page in the foreign currency (e.g., USD, GBP).
The rate shown by Amazon (e.g., 1 USD = 0.95 EUR). Enter the number only.
The current mid-market rate found on Google or XE.com.
Usually between 0% and 3% depending on your credit card.
Cost using Amazon Converter: –
Cost using Your Bank: –
Total Difference: –

Understanding the Amazon Exchange Rate Calculator

When shopping on an international Amazon site (like buying from Amazon US while living in Europe, or Amazon UK while in the US), you are often presented with two options at checkout: pay in your local currency using the Amazon Currency Converter or pay in the foreign currency and let your bank handle the exchange.

This calculator is designed to help you determine which option is cheaper. By comparing Amazon's offered exchange rate against your bank's rate (including any foreign transaction fees), you can potentially save a significant amount of money on international orders.

How Amazon's Currency Converter Works

The Amazon Currency Converter allows you to lock in an exchange rate at the point of sale. While convenient, this service often utilizes a process known as Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). The exchange rate provided usually includes a "Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee," which acts as a markup over the mid-market rate.

Historically, Amazon's rates can be significantly less favorable than the rates offered by major credit card issuers (Visa, Mastercard) or banks, even when factoring in bank fees.

What Inputs Do You Need?

  • Purchase Amount: The total cost of your order in the store's currency (e.g., Dollars, Pounds, Yen).
  • Amazon's Exchange Rate: Look at the checkout screen. If Amazon offers to charge you in your home currency, calculate the implied rate (Total Local Currency / Total Foreign Currency) or find the rate stated near the total.
  • Real Market Rate: The current interbank rate, easily found on Google or financial news sites.
  • Bank Fee: Many credit cards charge a Foreign Transaction Fee (FTF), typically around 2% to 3%. However, many travel cards charge 0%.

Should You Pay in Local or Foreign Currency?

In the vast majority of cases, it is financially beneficial to pay in the foreign currency (the currency of the store). By declining Amazon's currency conversion, your credit card issuer will perform the exchange at a rate much closer to the mid-market rate.

Use the calculator above to verify the numbers for your specific transaction. Even a small difference in exchange rates can add up on expensive electronics or bulk orders.

function calculateAmazonExchange() { // Get input values var amount = parseFloat(document.getElementById('purchaseAmount').value); var amzRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('amazonRate').value); var marketRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('marketRate').value); var bankFee = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bankFee').value); // Validation if (isNaN(amount) || isNaN(amzRate) || isNaN(marketRate)) { alert("Please enter valid numbers for the amount and exchange rates."); return; } // Default bank fee to 0 if empty or NaN if (isNaN(bankFee)) { bankFee = 0; } // Calculation Logic // Option A: var Amazon Convert // Amazon simply multiplies the foreign amount by their rate to get your local cost var costViaAmazon = amount * amzRate; // Option B: var Bank Convert // Bank takes the foreign amount, converts at market rate, then adds the percentage fee // Note: Logic assumes Rate is (1 Foreign = X Local). // Example: 100 USD. Rate 0.90 EUR. Cost = 90 EUR. // Fee applies to the converted amount. var baseBankCost = amount * marketRate; var totalBankCost = baseBankCost + (baseBankCost * (bankFee / 100)); // Calculate Difference var difference = costViaAmazon – totalBankCost; // Display Results document.getElementById('result-area').style.display = 'block'; document.getElementById('amzCostDisplay').innerText = costViaAmazon.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('bankCostDisplay').innerText = totalBankCost.toFixed(2); var diffDisplay = document.getElementById('diffDisplay'); var recMsg = document.getElementById('recommendationMsg'); // Determine Recommendation if (difference > 0) { // Amazon is more expensive diffDisplay.innerText = difference.toFixed(2) + " (Savings)"; diffDisplay.style.color = "green"; recMsg.className = "recommendation-box"; recMsg.innerHTML = "RECOMMENDATION: Pay in the FOREIGN currency.Letting your bank convert will save you approx " + difference.toFixed(2) + "."; } else if (difference < 0) { // Amazon is cheaper (rare, usually happens if bank fees are massive) diffDisplay.innerText = Math.abs(difference).toFixed(2) + " (Loss)"; diffDisplay.style.color = "red"; recMsg.className = "warning-box"; recMsg.innerHTML = "RECOMMENDATION: Pay in YOUR LOCAL currency via Amazon.Amazon's rate is actually better in this specific case by " + Math.abs(difference).toFixed(2) + "."; } else { diffDisplay.innerText = "0.00"; recMsg.className = "recommendation-box"; recMsg.style.backgroundColor = "#e2e3e5"; recMsg.style.borderColor = "#d6d8db"; recMsg.style.color = "#383d41"; recMsg.innerHTML = "The cost is exactly the same."; } }

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