Currency, taxes on exported services, the forms an American client will ask for, and how the money really arrives.
Quote in the client's currency
That is the decision simplifying everything else, and it is taken once.
A client used to receiving quotes in their own currency compares more easily, approves faster, and does not ask you to convert.
Two precautions. Set your price from what you want to receive at home, then convert with a margin to absorb variation, not the other way round. And write the currency out in full on the quote and the invoice, because a dollar sign alone is ambiguous on either side of the border.
Taxes are not handled as they are locally
Three points, and they change your invoice.
A service rendered to a client established abroad does not follow the same tax rules as a local job.
Where the service is deemed consumed counts more than where you film.
And your registration obligation depends on your total turnover, not only on your local sales.
Those three elements are checked once with an accountant, before the first export invoice. A mistake in treatment is hard to fix once the year is closed.
The money arrives in several ways
Four channels, with very different delays and costs.
The international bank transfer: slow, with fees shared between several banks, and an exchange rate applied by the institution.
Specialised transfer services: faster, with a rate closer to the market and fees announced in advance.
Online payment platforms: convenient for small amounts, expensive as a percentage.
And the cheque, still used by some companies, which adds two weeks to the delay.
One rule: ask in the first exchange which channel the client uses, and adjust the delivery date you announce accordingly.
Where to position yourself on price
Three benchmarks, and they avoid two symmetrical mistakes.
Do not mechanically convert your local rate: you will sell yourself too cheap.
Do not copy the rates displayed by suppliers on their market either: your production cost is not the same, and your argument is not price.
Position yourself on what you bring specifically: the setting, the language, the compatible time zone, the ability to go back and film quickly.
What is fixed before the first invoice
| Point | To write in the quote | Effect if skipped |
|---|---|---|
| The currency | One only, chosen | An exchange loss |
| The collection method | Transfer or platform | Unforeseen fees |
| The payment term | A date, not a vague duration | A deferred settlement |
What to compare between two collection routes
The total cost, not the advertised rate. A transfer with fixed fees weighs heavily on a small sum, a percentage platform weighs heavily on a large one.
What to ask a professional
The tax treatment of a service sold abroad, the applicable taxes, any forms required and the records to keep, to be confirmed with an accountant.
What to keep
Five documents, for every export job.
The quote accepted in writing, with the currency.
The invoice, mentioning the tax treatment applied.
The tax form sent, with its date.
The statement showing the amount actually received and the fees deducted.
And the exchange rate applied on the day of conversion.
Those five items take two minutes to file and save a whole day at annual declaration time, when you have to explain why the invoiced amount and the amount received do not match.
