Is it okay to display prices in USD if I am charging in CAD

The displayed price must be what you actually charge me. This is non-negotiable.

If your website says $78 USD and then I buy the item, and exchange rates have changed and I actually pay $81 USD, that is unacceptable, probably illegal. If I actually pay $75, I won't complain.

If your website says "$100 CAD", or "$100 CAD (about $78 USD)", then I can't complain. I would see the $100 CAD as the actual price, and $78 USD as a favour you are doing me by converting it for me, but I expect to be charged in CAD.

Of course, I am not a lawyer so don't cite me on the full legal ramifications of either option.

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Edit because it was unclear to at least one reader: This means you must charge the price you display. If you charge in CAD, you must display the CAD. You can only display USD as the main price if your payment processor will charge the card in USD. However, you can display CAD as the main price, and also display the USD price as a "nice-to-have extra", as long as it's clear that it's not the official price.

I think you've addressed some of the concerns that I would have in the comments:

• Who would do the conversion from USD to CAD? Or would you just deposit USD payments separately?
• What rate do you use? Do you try to use a "live" conversion rate or just use a static rate and accept any currency risk?

I definitely think it's disingenuous (maybe even illegal) to advertise prices in USD but then charge them CAD without their knowledge. If you advertise a USD price, you should charge the customer in USD.

What I've seen on sites that sell items in both USD and EUR (as an example) is to publish separate static prices. They may take some currency risk, but probably use a favorable rate to their "home" currency to offset that risk.

Seems to me the risk you run is charging prices that differ from what you quote.

Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating. If $100 CAD equals $78 USD at the moment, suppose I see the price in US Dollars, and I agree to pay $78 USD... now suppose an hour later when you process the transaction for $100 CAD, the rate is now $79 USD, and my bank takes $79 USD out of my account.

Havent I just been defrauded? If you quote me $78 but charge me $79 then who is accountable? What are my resources?

You would have to charge me $78 USD no matter when you do it, even if that equates to $98 CAD for you, a loss you may not be willing to afford if your profit margins are too small.

Otherwise youre cheating me... not only is that a bad business practice, but youd be ending your reputation with Americans, causing legal issues, etc.