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Published on 27 September 2025•7 minutes

Is Airwallex or WorldFirst better for Amazon sellers?

Airwallex Editorial Team

Is Airwallex or WorldFirst better for Amazon sellers?

Why Amazon sellers need more than Amazon Seller Wallet

Amazon sellers face mounting pressure on their profit margins. With independent sellers generating $2.5 trillion in cumulative sales over 25 years, competition has intensified while costs continue climbing. Amazon's recent promotion fee changes reflect this reality – "High-volume brands welcome the flexibility, noting that 'the 1% sales fee is a fair trade for extended visibility'", yet smaller sellers struggle with the performance-based pricing model.

Key findings from our analysis: Airwallex charges 0.4% FX fees on major currencies versus WorldFirst's 0.6%, potentially saving thousands annually on high-volume payouts. WorldFirst connects to over 100 marketplaces while Airwallex reaches 150+ countries with faster transfer speeds. Both platforms invest heavily in security, with Airwallex maintaining PCI DSS Level 1 certification and WorldFirst using bank-grade encryption. Case studies show sellers like Dalstrong saved $40,000 annually after switching to Airwallex.

While Amazon Seller Wallet promises to "Make transfers to your global bank accounts and quickly convert funds from USD to 20+ currencies with competitive exchange rates and no hidden fees", savvy sellers recognize that relying solely on Amazon's native solution limits their options. The real challenge lies in optimizing every aspect of international payments – from FX margins to payout speed – to preserve precious margin points in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Third-party payment providers like Airwallex and WorldFirst have emerged as essential tools for sellers seeking to maximize their take-home revenue. These platforms offer specialized features beyond basic currency conversion, including multi-marketplace integration, corporate cards for supplier payments, and APIs for automation. For sellers managing complex international operations, choosing the right payment partner can mean the difference between sustainable growth and stagnant margins.

How we compared Airwallex and WorldFirst

We evaluated both platforms across six critical dimensions that directly impact Amazon sellers' bottom lines. Our analysis focused on real-world scenarios faced by marketplace sellers, from receiving multi-currency disbursements to paying international suppliers.

Airwallex offers multi-currency accounts in 23+ currencies, while WorldFirst provides local currency accounts in 22 currencies. Both platforms have evolved significantly beyond simple payment processing. Airwallex offers fast and secure transfers to 150+ countries, with 90% of funds arriving within the same day. Meanwhile, WorldFirst emphasizes its marketplace expertise, maintaining direct connections to Amazon and other selling channels.

Security remains paramount for both providers. WorldFirst uses 256-bit encryption to protect customer funds – a standard that's nearly impossible to break even with the fastest computers. This foundation of trust allows sellers to focus on what matters: growing their business without worrying about payment security.

Account fees and FX margins: what will Amazon payouts really cost?

The difference between Airwallex and WorldFirst's pricing structures can significantly impact your annual costs. Airwallex offers FX conversions at 0.4% above interbank exchange rates for major currencies, while WorldFirst charges a mark-up of up to 0.6% for all major currencies.

Let's break down what this means for a typical Amazon seller. On a monthly payout of US$100,000, that 0.2 percentage point difference translates to US$200 in savings – or US$2,400 annually. For high-volume sellers processing millions in revenue, these fractions compound dramatically.

Airwallex offers FX conversions at 0.4% above interbank exchange rates for major currencies, and 0.6% for all other currencies, providing transparent pricing across the board. WorldFirst counters with fee-free collections and complimentary World Cards for account holders, though the wider FX spread often negates these benefits.

Beyond headline rates, the monthly fee starts at AUD 29 for Airwallex accounts, which can be waived if you deposit at least AUD 5,000 monthly or maintain a minimum balance of AUD 10,000. WorldFirst operates with no monthly account fees, appealing to sellers just starting their international expansion.

Beware receiving and weekend FX surcharges

Hidden fees lurk in the details of international payments. Some providers apply receiving fees when funds arrive from external accounts, while others widen their FX spreads during weekends when interbank markets close. These surprise charges can quickly erode the savings promised by attractive headline rates.

Sellers should scrutinize fee schedules for charges on incoming marketplace disbursements, weekend conversions, and expedited transfers. What appears as a competitive rate during business hours might balloon on Saturday when you need to pay a supplier urgently. Understanding these nuances helps avoid costly surprises that impact cash flow planning.

Payout speed and global coverage

Speed matters when managing inventory and supplier relationships. Airwallex offers fast and secure transfers to 150+ countries, with 90% of funds arriving within the same day and nearly 65% arriving instantly. This rapid access to funds enables sellers to reinvest quickly in inventory or take advantage of time-sensitive opportunities.

WorldFirst offers free transfers via local payment networks in USD, EUR, GBP, CNH, HKD, MYR, THB, AUD, and NZD, with 80% of funds arriving within the same day. While slightly slower than Airwallex's instant transfers, WorldFirst's established network provides reliable service across major Amazon marketplace currencies.

Geographic reach becomes crucial for sellers expanding beyond traditional markets. Airwallex offers fast and secure transfers to 150+ countries, providing broader coverage for sellers sourcing from emerging manufacturing hubs or selling in frontier markets. Send payments in 100+ currencies to 210+ countries/territories through WorldFirst, with funds typically arriving in hours rather than days.

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Like-for-like settlement vs forced FX

The settlement mechanics of your payment provider can dramatically impact your working capital. With Airwallex, businesses can settle payments like-for-like in 14+ major currencies using its built-in multi-currency wallet, without any forced FX conversions. This means if you receive EUR from Amazon Germany, you can hold those euros until you need them – perhaps to pay a European supplier – avoiding unnecessary conversion costs.

Like-for-like settlement is a process that ensures the currency a business receives in their account matches the currency in which the payment was made. This feature proves invaluable for sellers operating across multiple Amazon marketplaces, as it eliminates the double conversion trap that can cost 3-4% in total fees.

Airwallex is a digital payments platform that allows businesses to send and receive international payments, hold funds in multiple currencies and manage global financial operations with core APIs. This technical foundation enables sophisticated settlement options that traditional providers struggle to match.

Marketplace integrations and seller workflows

WorldFirst's marketplace expertise shines through its extensive connections. Get paid by 100+ marketplaces and 30+ payment gateways such as Amazon, AliExpress, eBay, and PayPal – all managed through a single dashboard. This breadth of integration simplifies operations for multi-channel sellers who juggle inventory across platforms.

For sellers seeking deeper automation, Airwallex provides more cost-effective international transfers by partnering with local payment networks and traditional banks in 120+ countries. The platform's API-first approach enables custom integrations that streamline reconciliation and automate repetitive tasks.

Get paid by 100+ marketplaces through WorldFirst's established network, which has been fine-tuned specifically for e-commerce sellers over nearly two decades. The platform understands the unique challenges of marketplace selling, from handling returns to managing seasonal cash flow fluctuations.

Expense management and cards

Beyond receiving payments, sellers need efficient ways to pay suppliers and manage business expenses. Airwallex offers employee and company cards with no international transaction fees and unlimited 1% cashback on all spending. These cards integrate directly with the multi-currency account, enabling seamless payments to suppliers worldwide.

The World Card is free and supports 150+ currencies, with zero foreign exchange fees when paying with an existing balance in one of 15 currencies linked to your account. WorldFirst also offers 1% cashback on international spending, matching Airwallex's rewards structure.

Airwallex Corporate Card, powered by Visa, enables online and in-person purchases globally, supporting over 140 currencies for seamless global transactions. The integration between cards and accounts creates a unified financial ecosystem that simplifies expense tracking and reconciliation.

Regulation, safeguarding and PCI DSS

Payment security isn't negotiable when handling millions in marketplace disbursements. Airwallex is certified to the highest standards of PCI-DSS Level 1, demonstrating its commitment to protecting cardholder data. This certification requires rigorous security controls and regular audits that verify compliance.

WorldFirst uses 256-bit encryption to protect customer funds, employing the same security standard used by major banks worldwide. The complexity of this encryption makes unauthorized access virtually impossible, providing peace of mind for sellers managing substantial transaction volumes.

As a Level 1 PCI DSS-certified payments provider, Airwallex helps simplify the complexities of achieving and maintaining PCI DSS certification and compliance. This support proves invaluable for sellers who process card payments through their own websites alongside marketplace sales, as it reduces the burden of security compliance.

Real-world savings from Amazon merchants

The numbers tell the story. Dalstrong, a premium kitchen knife brand selling globally on Amazon, "$40,000 saved annually on Amazon collections costs" after switching to Airwallex. The company also avoided "2.5% FX saved by avoiding double-currency conversion", demonstrating how seemingly small percentage differences compound at scale.

Kester Black, an Australian beauty brand expanding internationally, achieved even more dramatic results. The company saved C$24,000* yearly from currency conversion fees on global expenses while processing up to 1,000 daily transactions efficiently. These savings freed up capital for inventory and marketing investments that drove further growth.

These case studies illustrate a crucial point: the right payment provider doesn't just reduce costs – it enables growth strategies that would otherwise be financially unfeasible. When every basis point counts in competitive marketplaces, optimizing payment operations becomes a strategic advantage.

Which platform to choose – and when

The choice between Airwallex and WorldFirst ultimately depends on your specific business model and growth trajectory. Airwallex provides more cost-effective international transfers by partnering with local payment networks in 120+ countries, making it ideal for sellers with complex global operations or those prioritizing the lowest possible FX costs.

WorldFirst excels for sellers focused primarily on marketplace selling who value simplicity over advanced features. With 0% FX fees in 15 currencies when paying from existing balances and established marketplace connections, it provides a straightforward solution for traditional e-commerce operations.

Airwallex may be a more appropriate solution for growing, mid-market and enterprise-scale companies managing complexity across borders. The platform's API capabilities, broader geographic reach, and lower FX margins position it well for sellers planning aggressive international expansion.

Key takeaways for busy Amazon brands

After analyzing both platforms across multiple dimensions, clear patterns emerge. Airwallex provides access to interbank foreign exchange (FX) rates, minimizing cross-border friction for high-volume sellers. The platform's 0.4% margin on major currencies delivers meaningful savings that compound over time.

WorldFirst charges a mark-up of up to 0.6% above its exchange rate for all major currencies, but compensates with user-friendly features and robust marketplace integrations. For sellers prioritizing ease of use over absolute lowest costs, WorldFirst provides a reliable solution.

The evidence from real sellers proves compelling. When Dalstrong "2.5% FX saved by avoiding double-currency conversion", it demonstrated how modern payment infrastructure directly impacts profitability. In an environment where Amazon takes its share through fees and advertising costs, optimizing payment operations becomes essential for maintaining healthy margins.

For Amazon sellers ready to take control of their international payments, Airwallex emerges as the stronger choice for those prioritizing cost efficiency and global reach. Its lower FX margins, faster transfer speeds, and comprehensive API capabilities provide the foundation for sustainable international growth. While WorldFirst offers solid marketplace integration and simplicity, sellers focused on maximizing every dollar of revenue will find Airwallex's economics more compelling in the long run.

FAQ

What are the key FX differences between Airwallex and WorldFirst for Amazon sellers?

The blog cites Airwallex at about 0.4% above interbank for major currencies, while WorldFirst is up to 0.6% on majors. On US$100,000 in monthly payouts, that 0.2 percentage point gap could save roughly US$200 per month. Sources include Airwallex comparison resources on airwallex.com and WorldFirst documentation; pricing may vary by region and tier.

How fast can I access funds with each provider?

Airwallex reports 90% of transfers arrive the same day and about 65% arrive instantly across many corridors. WorldFirst notes about 80% same-day delivery on supported local routes. Actual speeds depend on currency, route, cut-off times, and compliance checks.

Does Airwallex allow like-for-like settlement to avoid forced FX?

Yes. Airwallex supports like-for-like settlement in more than 14 major currencies via a multi-currency wallet, so you can hold EUR from Amazon.de and pay EUR expenses without converting. This helps avoid double conversion costs highlighted in the blog and Airwallex resources.

Which platform has stronger marketplace integrations?

WorldFirst connects to 100+ marketplaces and 30+ payment gateways, covering Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, and more from one dashboard. Airwallex focuses on an API-first approach, broader country coverage, and local rails to automate reconciliation and lower transfer costs. Choose based on whether you prioritise marketplace coverage out of the box or programmable workflows at global scale.

Are there monthly fees or card rewards to consider?

The blog references a WorldFirst source stating Airwallex has a monthly plan starting at A$29 with waivers when usage or balances meet thresholds, while WorldFirst lists no monthly account fee. Both advertise corporate cards with 1% cashback in supported regions and zero FX fees when you spend from a matching currency balance. Always check current pricing and eligibility by region on each provider site.

What real-world savings have Amazon brands reported with Airwallex?

Case studies on airwallex.com report Dalstrong saving about US$40,000 per year on Amazon collections and avoiding 2.5% in double-conversion FX. Kester Black is cited as saving C$24,000 yearly on conversion fees while handling high transaction volumes. Results depend on volumes, corridors, and how you route payouts and supplier payments.

Citations

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Airwallex Editorial Team

Airwallex’s Editorial Team is a global collective of business finance and fintech writers based in Australia, Asia, North America, and Europe. With deep expertise spanning finance, technology, payments, startups, and SMEs, the team collaborates closely with experts, including the Airwallex Product team and industry leaders to produce this content.

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