[IamNikhil]

Originally Posted by AYP

TCS of 20% on foreign payments even when using credit cards.

Have made multiple purchases, but haven't had any TCS being deducted as yet.

[wheelspinner]

1st option:

Load up a debit card (international) and provide it to him. Such as Paytm bank (or any neobank). You can use it just for this purpose then get rid of it.

OR,

Buy it online using your own card and deliver to his address.

2nd:

Buy gift card of Amazon/BestBuy/wherever you plan on buying (worth value of the item) and provide it to him.

3rd:

Use Wire/Western Union to pay exact dollar amount. There is fees involved but the process is fast.

Lastly, consult with a tax advisor because if the IT department finds something off (paying 1L to a friend abroad) they might question/penalize you:

Originally Posted by IamNikhil

Have made multiple purchases, but haven't had any TCS being deducted as yet.

[Shitij]

Below are some ways that you can look at it:

1. Ask them to pay for it, meanwhile check the market price of the currency which is usually 1-1.5 INR more than google rate, and when you meet them, pay them INR by calculating through market price of currency or if they want their foreign currency, buy the currency (Cash) and pay them. This way the traveller doesn't feel the pinch and for you it's the same amount be it INR or any other currency.

They don't lose on value and with 1-1.5 rupee extra per unit of currency, you don't feel the pinch as well.

2. Get a multi currency card from any bank that provides it at zero or very little cost. Load up the card and pay. This way you know exactly how much you are paying.

3. Use apps like Wise, from what I have heard, Highly reliable.

[RGK]

I have been doing this for a significant time-frame. I give the local shipping address or, if available, the local store, and pay the merchant directly (Luckily I use a multi currency card). This aides in two ways.

• No uncertainty for the friend that this person will pay me on time or what will be the conversion charges
• We own the arranged thing (model, type and so on) and no burden on the friend

[chanz2015]

I am an NRI and I will prefer one of the below option when someone from India asks me to buy/bring something for them

1. Most Preferred - The person orders the gadget himself to my address and makes the payment.
   
   • This way, I am not bothered or does not have to spend time for the config, color or other feature selection
   • Payment can be done by International Credit Card. But I advice will be to Use Wise(Transferwise) or Skrill. Wise provides you a virtual debit card. You can limit the balance and by this way, you can be free of card misuse worries.

1. I buy the gadget and make the payment.
   
   • Here, I would prefer the person pays me in INR to my Indian bank account. I do send money to India regularly and by this way, I can save on conversion/transaction charges.

[Comrade]

I order lot of stuff from the US using my HDFC Infinia card or Amex Platinum card, and get them delivered to either my sister’s address or my SIL’s address. Then they just bring them to India. It’s easy for everyone this way.

[AYP]

Originally Posted by d.w.w.

For people who are not in need of INR, easiest way is to buy the product with your credit card and have it shipped to their address. Amazon has an inbuilt currency converter and I have found these rates to be cheaper compared to bank charges. Personally, I have kept some $ from my earlier trips to pay friends who prefer USD over INR.

Hello!

From your post, may I decipher that the credit card company does not charge any conversion fee over and above what was paid? Asking since I found this on Amazon-



Also, may I know what credit card(s) you have used on Amazon.com?

I performed a small transaction on Amazon.com and the order went through without any OTP. I didn't receive any mail or message from HDFC(it has been 15 minutes) but I did receive the order confirmation from Amazon. Is that how it is?

[d.w.w.]

Originally Posted by AYP

Hello!

From your post, may I decipher that the credit card company does not charge any conversion fee over and above what was paid?

I haven't been charged anything yet

Also, may I know what credit card(s) you have used on Amazon.com?

ICICI

I performed a small transaction on Amazon.com and the order went through without any OTP. I didn't receive any mail or message from HDFC(it has been 15 minutes) but I did receive the order confirmation from Amazon. Is that how it is?

For international transactions there is no OTP. The charging on the card varies from case to case. So far I have observed below patterns
1. CC charged immediately and SMS will be received
2. Hold will be placed on the credit and no SMS will come from bank. The transaction will not be listed in the card statement, but if you see the available credit , the amount will reflect there. The card will be charged when the package is packed/shipped.
2. Transaction goes through and no SMS/ credit hold is observed. Card is charged before the order is shipped.

[Fuldagap]

I use an ICICi debit card and TCS is being deducted from my account as soon as the 20% rule under LRS was announced last year.

Maybe I'm just unlucky, as nobody here seems to being charged for it. :(

[Naetik30]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

I use an ICICi debit card and TCS is being deducted from my account as soon as the 20% rule under LRS was announced last year.

Maybe I'm just unlucky, as nobody here seems to being charged for it. :(

The point is - you are using a debit card. For credit card users the rule is still not in play. For debit card users the 20% deduction happens, but can be claimed during ITR filing.