Scapia Credit Card Forex Charges: The Zero Markup Math

The standout feature of the Scapia Card is its "Zero Forex Markup." But what does that actually mean for your wallet? In this article on Scapia credit card forex charges, we do the math.

The Standard Fee Structure

When you use a typical Indian credit card for an international transaction (in USD, EUR, etc.), you pay:

1. Visa/Mastercard Exchange Rate: The base conversion rate.
2. Forex Markup Fee: Usually 3.5% of the transaction amount.
3. GST on Markup: 18% tax on that 3.5% fee.

Total Extra Cost: ~4.13%

The Scapia Advantage

With Scapia, the calculation is simpler:

1. Visa Exchange Rate: The base conversion rate.
2. Forex Markup Fee: ₹0 (Zero).
3. GST on Markup: ₹0.

Total Extra Cost: 0%

Real World Example: Buying an iPhone in Dubai

Let's say you spend equivalent to ₹1,00,000 internationally.

Standard Credit Card

• Spend: ₹1,00,000
• Markup (3.5%): ₹3,500
• GST (18% of 3500): ₹630
• Total Cost: ₹1,04,130

Scapia Credit Card

• Spend: ₹1,00,000
• Markup: ₹0
• GST: ₹0
• Total Cost: ₹1,00,000

You save ₹4,130 instantly. That is almost enough for a return flight on a budget airline!

Does This Apply to Online Payments?

Yes. If you pay for Netflix US, Spotify, web hosting, or software tools in USD, Scapia will save you ~4% on every single monthly bill. This makes it excellent for freelancers and digital nomads too.