EximPe positions itself as a one-stop platform for international payments. The company was established with the goal of handling all your cross-border transactions securely, efficiently, and digitally. They offer better FX rates, faster transfers, and decent compliance support than most solutions out there.
However, the product is relatively new, which is why many businesses are still unsure about its safety, actual costs, and how it compares with established alternatives. In this blog, we’ll walk you through EximPe’s offerings, the real issues users have flagged, and the alternative that may work better depending on your needs.
EximPe’s Products: Two Products, Two Worlds
EximPe offers two different solutions for global payments. One of their products is specifically for goods exporters and importers, while the other is for service exporters, geared more toward freelancers and less toward agencies or IT/consulting firms.
Let’s go through each of these products.
Global Trade Account (For Goods Exporters)
For importers and exporters of goods, EximPe offers a current account through partner banks like Yes Bank and DBS. When you initiate a payment through EximPe, the platform instructs these banks to process the transaction securely, handle SWIFT transfers, and manage all regulatory requirements on your behalf.
EximPe digitally helps you regularize BOEs and Shipping Bills in the customs system and automatically generates e-BRCs once payments are received. This means exporters can download completed documents and claim GST refunds or export incentives without visiting the bank or customs office, saving time and reducing errors.
Pros:
• Saves money compared to traditional bank transfers.
• Fully digital end-to-end process for documentation.
• SWIFT receipts within 24 hours for faster confirmation.
• Centralized dashboard for all customer transactions.
• Reduces dependency on manual processes and banking visits.
Cons for Goods Exporters
• FX Rates Aren’t Mid-Market. EximPe advertises “50% better FX margin,” which means rates are better than traditional banks but not the true interbank/mid-market rate. A small markup still applies.
• Pricing Model Has Limits. EximPe offers two pricing options. One is a monthly subscription and the other is per-transaction (discussed in detail in this blog). The current account model works best for mid-to-high-value transactions. Very small or extremely large payments may lead to higher costs compared to alternatives.
• Onboarding Can Be Slower. Since accounts are tied to partner banks, KYC verification and account setup may take longer than fintech-only platforms. Additional document checks can further delay activation.
Global Collection Account – For Service Exporters
For freelancers, EximPe offers a global collection account that provides local business accounts in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. With an EximPe account, your client pays locally. EximPe receives the funds, converts them to INR, and transfers them to your Indian account.
The platform also provides instant e-FIRA generation for GST compliance and lets you track all incoming payments.
Pros:
• Ideal for freelancers receiving irregular international payments.
• Supports over 30 currencies.
• Centralized dashboard for all client payments and compliance documents.
• Faster transfer settlement in India.
Cons for Service Exporters:
• Cannot pay foreign suppliers; it is designed only for receiving payments.
• Not a replacement for LCs or BGs required in large B2B trade.
• Fund-hold feature isn’t available, so there is no way to avoid currency fluctuations. Funds are automatically converted to INR and transferred to your Indian account daily.
• Subscription slabs can result in overpayment if monthly volume slightly exceeds the plan limit.
What Exchange Rate Does EximPe Offer? Charges You May Not Know You Are Paying
EximPe advertises “Live FX Rates & Instant Rate Booking."
Does this mean you get the true mid-market rate? No.
If you check their website properly, they mention “50% better rates than banks.”
While this is better than traditional bank rates, the actual INR you receive will likely be slightly below the true interbank/mid-market rate.
Since most banks typically charge 2–3% in FX margins, EximPe’s rates are assumed to have a small markup of around 0.5–1%, which is still cheaper than most banks but not completely mid-market.
Here’s what it means:
• You can see real-time interbank/mid-market rates (similar to Google rates).
• The rate you receive for your transaction includes a small markup—less than traditional banks, but not zero.
• In other words, EximPe charges roughly 50% less markup than banks, but some markup is still applied.
EximPe Pricing Models Explained
Monthly Subscription Plans Overview
EximPe offers flat monthly subscription plans to receive international payments. Customers pay a fixed fee per month and get unlimited transactions within a defined monthly volume.
How It Works
- You subscribe to the plan that matches your expected monthly incoming payments.
- When your first payment of the month is received, the subscription fee is charged.
- All other payments within that month are processed without extra charges.
- If you receive no payments, you pay nothing for that month.
This model is great for businesses with regular monthly foreign receipts within predictable ranges, like small or mid-sized agencies exporting services or SMEs receiving recurring B2B payments for goods.
Challenges With The Monthly Subscription Plan
Subscription Slabs Can Lead to Overpayment
If your monthly volume slightly exceeds a slab, you must move to the higher plan. For example:
• Monthly receipts = $2,100 → the $2,000 slab (₹999) is insufficient. You must subscribe to the $5,000 plan (₹1,800/month).
• The extra $100 effectively costs you ₹801 more than if you were on a per-transaction fee model.
No Mixing of Models
You might think of paying ₹999 for the first $2,000 and the per-transaction rate for the remaining $100. This is not allowed. EximPe charges based on your total monthly volume, not individual transactions, so you cannot split between subscription and per-transaction models to save costs.
Best for Mid-to-High Volume
• Monthly volumes higher than $25,000 are not covered by subscription slabs. You must switch to the per-transaction model for amounts above this limit.
• For very small monthly receipts, subscription plans can be more expensive than paying per transaction.
Example:
o You receive only $500 in a month → ₹999 subscription plan applies.
o On the per-transaction model (0.75% + bank fees), you would pay around $4–5 (~₹330–₹400), saving over ₹500 compared to the subscription.
With Karbon’s flat 1% fee + 18% GST, $500 would cost:
• 1% of $500 = $5
• GST 18% of $5 = $0.90
• Total = $5.90 (~₹487), which is even cheaper than EximPe’s per-transaction model. Plus, you do not have to pay the additional overseas collection fee of $0.59 (in the transaction currency) with other alternatives.
Per-Transaction Model
EximPe offers a per-transaction pricing option for businesses that either do not want to commit to a monthly subscription or whose monthly volumes exceed the subscription slabs. In this model, you pay fees for each transaction rather than a fixed monthly fee.
Fees:
• Platform Fee: 0.75% of the transaction amount.
• Local Collection Fee: $0.59 (or equivalent in the transaction currency) per transaction.
• SWIFT Transfers / USD ACH: $7.67 per transaction.
Per-Transaction Model Example: $30,000 Transaction
EximPe Fees (Assuming SWIFT Transfer):
• Platform Fee: 0.75% of $30,000 = $225
• SWIFT Fee: $7.67
• FX Markup: 0.75% of $30,000 = $225 lost to FX margin.
• Total Fees + FX Loss: $225 + $7.67 + $225 ≈ $457.67 (~₹38,000 at $1 ≈ ₹83)
Karbon Fees (Flat 1% + 18% GST):
• Platform Fee: 1% of $30,000 = $300
• GST 18% on Fee: 18% of $300 = $54
• Total Charges: $300 + $54 = $354 (~₹29,382 at $1 ≈ ₹83)
Best Alternative to EximPe — Karbon Business
If you are looking for a strong alternative to EximPe, Karbon Business is the platform to consider. We cater to the same audience: goods exporters and importers, as well as service exporters.
Here’s where Karbon stands out compared to EximPe:
• True Mid-Market Exchange Rate: Unlike EximPe, which applies a small FX markup in its transactional pricing model, Karbon charges no FX markup ever.
• Higher Transaction Limits: EximPe’s subscription plans work best for certain ranges and have caps. With Karbon, you can transact more than $25,000 per month at the same flat 1% fee, without markups or moving to higher subscription slabs.
• Flexible Account Hold: EximPe converts amounts into INR on the same day, which can be limiting if the exchange rate is low. Karbon allows a 60-day account hold, giving you better control over your funds before transferring, a feature EximPe does not provide for service exporters.
FAQs
Does EximPe offer mid-market rates?
No, EximPe does not provide true mid-market rates.
While EximPe shows live interbank/mid-market rates, the actual rate applied includes a small markup of around 0.5–1%. This is cheaper than most banks, which often add 2–3%, but still not the pure mid-market rate you’d find on platforms like Wise.
Can I switch between subscription and per-transaction models?
Yes, but only based on your monthly volume.
EximPe allows you to choose either a subscription or a per-transaction model, but you cannot combine them within the same month. The platform calculates fees on your total monthly volume, so once your transactions exceed a slab, you must shift to the higher plan or the per-transaction model.
Is EximPe compliant with RBI regulations?
Yes, EximPe is RBI-compliant.
EximPe’s Global Collection Accounts are licensed under RBI’s PA-CB (Payment Aggregator–Cross Border) framework. This means the platform follows regulatory guidelines for handling international collections, currency conversion, and documentation like e-FIRA.
Can freelancers use Global Trade Account?
No, freelancers cannot use this account.
The Global Trade Account is designed for goods exporters and importers who need BOE (Bill of Entry) and Shipping Bill compliance. Freelancers and service exporters should instead use EximPe’s Global Collection Account, which is specifically built for receiving payments from international clients.
Which alternative is best for mid-market FX?
Wise is the best option for true mid-market rates.
Unlike EximPe, Wise or Karbon Business does not add hidden FX markups. It always gives the real mid-market rate you see on Google, with a transparent, upfront fee. This makes it especially suitable for freelancers or businesses that prioritize fair and predictable currency conversion.
