Escrow Fee Calculator
Model a protected payment structure: deposit on confirmation, balance held in escrow and released against documents — with an indicative fee for the protection.
Frequently asked questions
How does trade escrow work for supplier payments?
You fund the payment, but the balance is held and only released when agreed evidence is presented — typically the bill of lading, inspection certificate or Certificate of Analysis. The supplier knows funds exist; you know they only move when goods ship as agreed.
What does escrow cost?
Escrow pricing is quote-based and varies by corridor, order size and document requirements — the calculator uses an indicative percentage so you can model scenarios. For most B2B orders the fee is small relative to the fraud and non-shipment risk it removes.
When should I insist on escrow?
First-time suppliers, large one-off orders (machinery, containers), and categories with high switch risk — electronics, auto parts, pharmaceuticals. If a supplier refuses any document-linked structure on a large first order, treat that as a signal.
What release conditions should I use?
Match the evidence to the risk: bill of lading for shipment, third-party inspection certificates for machinery, Certificates of Analysis for pharma and agro-chemicals, IMEI manifests for phones. Conditions are agreed by both parties before funding.
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