Credit card problem – “foreign” surcharge for Swiss brand Calida – Kassensturz espresso

Weird charges on credit card statement

A Calida customer from Basel pays for her online order using her UBS Visa card. A little later she found a strange burden on the credit card statement: “I found a reservation from Reich GmbH from Germany – and a foreign surcharge of 1.75 percent,” she told SRF consumer magazine Espresso. In the case of the customer, this adds up to 2 35 francs to the “extra CHF overseas cost”.

Abroad? The customer is surprised that she did not order anything in Germany. Ask Calida Switzerland Customer Service. There they explain to her that the online order will be invoiced via Germany and that depending on the credit card provider, a foreign surcharge will be due.

Foreign surcharge on purchases in Switzerland

Calida customers orders from a Swiss company, in Swiss francs and goods are delivered from Switzerland, but they still pay “foreign surcharges”. “This seems completely inconsequential to me, and is not indicated on the Calida website,” says the Calida client.

“Even foreign companies can do this at no extra cost.”

Keep in mind: the customer is not interested in the amount but in the principle. If even foreign companies based abroad can settle accounts in Switzerland in such a way that local customers do not incur such fees, then it should also be possible for Calida, says the customer from Basel:

I have already ordered from a Swedish company, but they have an account in Switzerland.

“I actually ordered from a Swedish company, but they have an account in Switzerland and also a Swiss distribution center. It worked at no extra cost.”

If there is a complaint, the money will be refunded

Interestingly, Kalida seems to be well aware of the problem. When the customer reports the incident to customer service, they say that although you cannot influence this transaction fee, you will pay the money to those affected. Customers who do not notice the extra cost are unlucky.

Compared to “Espresso,” the Sursee-based company blames credit card providers: They charge transaction fees, not Calida, the company wrote. This is correct. However, the argument is insufficient.

The graphic creator is Kalida, after all. Because the Swiss company runs its online store in Germany for whatever reason. For this reason, some credit card providers (see box) charge a fee for transferring money from Switzerland abroad.

On its website, Calida notes the potential additional cost in small print, the company wrote.

Good intentions are possible

Tip: In the case of foreign surcharges, it is worth contacting your credit card provider. Good intentions are certainly possible in individual cases.