Ever wonder how the price of that souvenir changes when you pay with your card abroad? Or why some online stores show prices in your currency while others don’t? It’s all down to Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) and Multi-Currency Pricing (MCP), and understanding the difference can save you money and headaches. These are crucial considerations in the increasingly global economy, with cross-border transactions projected to reach a staggering $290 trillion by 2030.

Decoding Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

Imagine you’re on vacation and find the perfect gift. You go to pay, and the Point of Sale machine asks if you want to pay in your home currency. That’s DCC in action. It offers the convenience of seeing the price in your familiar currency right then and there. However, this convenience comes at a cost.

• How it works: When you use a foreign card, the system instantly calculates the exchange rate and adds a markup, displaying the final price in your home currency.
• The catch: The markup applied to the exchange rate is where the merchant makes a profit. These markups can be higher than standard exchange rates, and you only see the final price at checkout, not while browsing. This can lead to unexpected costs and potentially sour your shopping experience.

Multi-Currency Pricing (MCP): A Different Approach

MCP offers a more transparent pricing model. Imagine browsing an online store where prices are displayed in your local currency throughout your entire shopping journey. That’s MCP.

• How it works: The store maintains fixed price lists in multiple currencies. You pay in your local currency, and the business receives payment in their chosen currency.
• The advantage: Consistent pricing in your local currency throughout the shopping experience eliminates surprises at checkout and fosters trust.

DCC vs. MCP: A Comparative Look

Addressing the Challenges

Both DCC and MCP present challenges for business. Here’s how you can address them:

• DCC Best Practices: Invest in modern payment systems that offer transparent fee disclosures and real-time exchange rate information. Train staff to clearly explain DCC to customers.
• MCP Best Practices: Implement automated tools for updating prices based on fluctuating exchange rates. Consult with financial experts to navigate international tax regulations. Optimize websites to dynamically display prices based on the user’s location.

Financial Implications for Businesses

• Exchange Rate Markups: DCC incorporates markups, making it potentially more expensive for customers. MCP generally uses prevailing market rates.
• Transaction Fees: DCC involves additional fees shared between the merchant and payment provider. MCP typically has lower fees, although these can vary.
• Revenue Generation: DCC allows merchants to earn a portion of the conversion fee. MCP does not directly generate revenue from currency conversion.
• Exchange Rate Risk: DCC locks in the exchange rate at the time of purchase, minimizing risk for the merchant. With MCP, businesses must manage the risk associated with fluctuating exchange rates.

Which Approach is Right?

The optimal choice between DCC and MCP depends on the specific business context:

• DCC: Often preferred by businesses in tourist-heavy areas due to its immediate revenue generation and ease of implementation for in-person transactions.
• MCP: Generally more suitable for e-commerce platforms aiming for broader international reach and price transparency, fostering customer trust and potentially higher conversion rates. It is also better for businesses that want to provide a consistent and predictable shopping experience for their international customers.

How Peach Payments helps

Peach Payments offers MCP for our South African and Mauritian merchants. In South Africa, we can help you register for an ABSA multi-currency account and accept payments in multiple currencies with ease and get free daily settlements in Rands. If you have a Mauritian business, we can register you for an MCP account with the Mauritius Commercial Bank and even settle you in a foreign currency like U.S. Dollars. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is on our roadmap—stay tuned for updates!

Conclusion

Choosing between DCC and MCP is a crucial decision for businesses operating in the global marketplace. Careful consideration of the business model, target audience, and operational capabilities is essential. Both approaches can enhance the customer experience when implemented thoughtfully. By understanding the nuances of each method, businesses can make informed decisions that benefit both themselves and their customers.