Effective October 9, 2023, Cross Border Fee charging of BPI Debit Cards equivalent to 1.50% of the transaction amount shall include Peso-based purchases done via international online/E-Commerce merchants. This fee covers international e-Commerce/online transactions using Dynamic Currency Conversion.
What is the update on BPI Debit Cards fees and charges?
What is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)?
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is a service offered by certain international merchants that allows you to pay in Philippine Peso instead of foreign currency. It provides you with an estimated exchange rate and allows you to see the transaction amount in Philippine Peso before completing the purchase.
What types of BPI Debit Card transactions do cross border fees apply?
Please see table below for reference:
Channel | Payment Currency | Current Fee | Updated Fee |
International In-store POS | Foreign Currency | 1.50% | 1.50% |
Philippine Peso* | 1.50% | 1.50% | |
E-Commerce (Int'l Merchant) | Foreign Currency | 1.50% | 1.50% |
Philippine Peso* | None | 1.50% |
*Using Dynamic Currency Conversion
^Fee is effective beginning October 9, 2023
How does the Cross Border Fee work for BPI Debit Card International E-Commerce/online transactions utilizing Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)?
A cross border fee of 1.50% is applied to the transaction amount when you pay for your purchases in international E-Commerce merchants regardless of when you pay in Philippine Peso or in foreign currency.
When will the updated fee be effective?
The updated fee will be effective on October 9, 2023.
Which Debit Card/s will be affected by the updated fees?
The said fee shall apply to BPI Debit Mastercard only.
What are my usual Debit card transactions which will be affected by the said fee?
Sample transactions affected would be your Peso-based payments to the following international E-Commerce/online merchants:
- International App Stores
- International Online Services and Subscriptions
- Online Marketplaces / Stores using international payment providers
Can I choose to opt-out or have the cross border fee applicable to international E-Commerce DCC transactions waived?
No. The fee is automatically charged once you use your BPI Debit Mastercard for transactions associated to an international e-Commerce/online transaction using Dynamic Currency Conversion.
How is the fee calculated in international E-Commerce/online transactions using Dynamic Currency Conversion?
The fee is calculated as a percentage of the transaction amount. For BPI Debit Mastercard transactions, the fee is 1.50% of the total transaction. Sample is as follows:
International Online Merchant | Transaction Amount (converted to Php) | Applicable Fee | Total Amount in Transaction History |
Merchant A | Php 600 | 600 x 1.50% = Php 9 | Php 609.00 |
Merchant B | Php 1,000 | 1,000 x 1.5% = Php 15 | Php 1,015.00 |
Merchant C | Php 150 | 150 x 1.50% = Php 2.25 | Php 152.25 |
Will the fee be shown separately on my transaction history?
No, the fee will be included in your total transaction amount. Sample is as follows:
e.g. Merchant B - Php 1,000
1414 EPS @ EXPRESSNET Php 1,015.00
*Breakdown: Php 1,000.00 (Merchant B) + Php 15.00 (Cross Border Fee) = Php 1,015.00
Will my previous Peso-based transactions on international E-Commerce/online merchants prior effectivity date incur a cross border fee?
No. Only BPI Debit Card transactions made on October 9, 2023 onwards shall incur the applicable fee.
Is it better to pay in Philippine Peso for my foreign transactions?
Transactions converted to Philippine Peso at point of sale may contain additional foreign currency exchange fees charged by the merchant and will be subjected to the foreign exchange rates of the merchant/acquirer which can be higher than BPI’s rates. It is always advisable to pay using the original currency when transacting at a merchant to avail of BPI's foreign exchange rates.
Is the said fee a fixed percentage for all currencies, or does it vary depending on the currency being converted?
The fee is a fixed percentage of 1.50%, regardless of the currency being converted.
Is the fee applicable to my online purchases only, or does it also apply to in-store transactions?
The cross border fee of 1.50% for BPI Debit Mastercard transactions- applies to both your international online purchases and in-store transactions.
Who can I contact for questions and clarifications?
For inquiries and comments, send us a message or call our 24-hour BPI Contact Center at (+632) 889-10000.