What you pay for a shipment clearly: understand the exchange rate and the costs in Retorna
At Retorna, we know that you need total clarity about how much you pay and how much your recipient receives. Some recent reviews mentioned confusion between the initial value shown and the final value of the shipment. That's why we want to explain to you in a simple way two fundamental components of your transfer: The exchange rate and shipping costs. These are different concepts that together determine the total value of your transaction.
The difference between exchange rate and shipping costs
When you send money internationally, the total cost is made up of:
1. Exchange rate: It is the conversion between currencies (for example, from USD to COP). This rate fluctuates constantly depending on the international currency market.
2. Shipping costs: These are the commissions that apply according to:
- The payment method you choose (credit card, debit card, bank transfer)
- The delivery method (bank deposit, cash withdrawal, digital wallet)
- Local taxes and operating costs
It is important to understand that shipping costs vary the most depending on your choices, while the exchange rate is primarily market-driven.
How is the exchange rate determined in Retorna?
The exchange rate you see on our platform comes from:
International foreign exchange markets: We consult the updated prices that reflect the global supply and demand of currencies in real time.
Constant updating: The rate is updated every few minutes to reflect current market conditions.
Competitive margin: We apply a small margin on the interbank rate to cover exchange risks and platform operation.
What determines shipping costs?
Shipping costs vary depending on multiple factors that you can control:
By payment method:
- Bank transfer: Generally the most economical
- Debit card: Moderate costs
- Credit card: May include additional issuer fees
By delivery method:
- Direct bank deposit: Lower operating cost
- Cash withdrawal: Includes paying agent commission
- Digital wallet: Varies by supplier
By local regulations:
- Remittance taxes (vary by country)
- Receiver bank fees
- Regulatory Compliance Costs
Why can the value change between the quote and the shipment?
Changes in the exchange rate: The foreign exchange market operates 24/7 and rates can change in minutes, especially during major economic events.
Payment/delivery method selection: When you change your selection, shipping costs are automatically recalculated. For example, paying with a credit card has a different cost than a bank transfer.
Elapsed time: If you delay confirming, both the rate and the costs can be updated.
Lock function: guarantee your quote
To give you more control, we offer the quote lock:
- Review your full quote: You'll see the exchange rate AND shipping costs broken down
- Block for a limited time: We guarantee these values for 30-60 minutes
- Confirm within the deadline: Your transaction is executed with the values locked
If you change your payment or delivery method after the lockdown, a new quote will be generated.
How to get the best value for your shipments
Compare payment methods: Before confirming, review how the costs change depending on your payment method. The difference can be significant.
Group your shipments: Fixed costs have less impact on larger amounts. If you send $100 five times, you'll pay more than sending $500 once.
Choose the right delivery method: If your recipient has a bank account, direct deposit is usually cheaper than cash withdrawal.
Ship at stable times: Avoid moments of high volatility such as important economic announcements.
Check out the full breakdown: On the confirmation screen, check both the exchange rate and each component of the shipping cost.
Our Commitment to Clarity
In Retorna we show each component of your transaction:
- Applied exchange rate
- Service commission
- Costs by payment method
- Costs by delivery method
- Applicable taxes
All broken down before you confirm your shipment. No small print, no surprises.
We continue to improve our interface to make information increasingly clear. If you have questions about a charge or need to better understand your quote, our support team is available to explain every detail to you.
Your trust is our priority. We want you to understand exactly what you're paying for and why, so you can make the best decisions when sending money to your loved ones.
Tu dinero llegará en un parpadeo
Con Retorna, tus envíos llegan en minutos.
Tan fácil como enviar un mensaje por WhatsApp. Haz tu envío en pocos clics y tu dinero llegará rápido, seguro y sin complicaciones.
