Working with international clients can be exciting, but it also brings a simple truth. Clear contracts protect your work, your payments and your peace of mind. Many Indian freelancers still rely on informal emails or WhatsApp messages to confirm a project. This works until something goes wrong: delayed payments, disputes about scope, extra revisions, currency confusion or even chargebacks.
A well written international contract is not about being complicated or overly legal. It is about making expectations clear before work begins. Once both sides know what is agreed, the relationship becomes smoother and far more professional.
This blog explains the essential clauses every cross border contract needs, how to write payment terms that protect your earnings, and why clarity reduces misunderstandings later.
Why International Contracts Matter for Indian Service Providers
When you work with clients abroad, you are dealing with different laws, currencies, time zones and communication styles. A simple misunderstanding can lead to significant loss. Contracts act as a reference point so that both parties know exactly what they agreed to do.
A good international contract helps you:
• Avoid scope creep
• Prevent delayed payments
• Reduce chargeback risks
• Protect your intellectual property
• Prove compliance for tax and export documentation
Understanding the foundation of an international contract
An international contract is simply an agreement between parties in different countries. But because it crosses borders, it has to account for differences in laws, currencies and expectations. This is why the basics must be extremely clear: the legal names of both parties, the type of service being delivered, and whether the agreement is for a one time project or an ongoing relationship.
Once this foundation is set, everything that follows has a clear frame. Without it, even a well written contract becomes difficult to enforce.
The Foundation of a Strong International Contract
Before writing the actual clauses, get the basics right. Clearly mention who the parties are, what the project is, and how long the relationship will last. This sets the structure for the rest of the agreement.
A solid foundation usually includes:
• Full legal names, addresses and country details of both parties
• A short description of the project or services
• Whether this is a one time project or an ongoing retainer
• Expected timelines and deliverables
Freelancers often skip these basics, but they become essential if disputes arise.
Writing Clear Scope of Work
Most disputes arise because the scope was not defined clearly. Describe what you will deliver, how many revisions are included, what formats you will provide and what is considered out of scope.
Examples include:
• Number of design variations
• Number of monthly development hours
• Deadlines for content delivery
• What counts as additional charges
The more precise you are here, the fewer conflicts appear later.
Getting the scope of work right
A strong scope of work section describes what exactly you will deliver, what formats the client will receive, how many revisions are included, and what falls outside the agreement. For example, if you are building a website, the contract should clarify whether content writing, hosting, integrations and SEO setup are included or not. Clarity here prevents endless back and forth later.
Choosing Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This is one of the most important parts of an international contract. Governing law tells you which country’s laws apply. Jurisdiction tells you where disputes will be resolved.
Most Indian freelancers choose either:
• Indian law with Indian courts
• A neutral jurisdiction, often Singapore or the United Kingdom
• Arbitration through a recognised institution like ICC or SIAC
Arbitration is popular because it offers confidentiality and decisions that are enforceable across many countries. Even a simple line such as “Any dispute will be resolved through arbitration in Singapore” can protect you from messy international litigation.
Payment terms that protect your income
This section requires real attention because it directly affects your cash flow. A good international contract explains the currency in which you will be paid, the payment schedule, the method of payment and what happens if payments are delayed. Indian freelancers usually prefer USD, EUR or GBP because the rates are stable and predictable, but the contract should explicitly mention the chosen currency.
It also helps to set a simple, fair payment schedule. Most freelancers use a structure like 30 percent upfront, 40 percent mid project and 30 percent on final delivery. If you work on retainers, monthly advance payments protect you from delays. Mention late fees or interest clearly to discourage slow payments.
Because cross border payments can take time, specify who bears transaction fees. If you don’t mention it, you might end up receiving less than your invoice value.
A strong payment section includes:
• Currency of payment such as USD, EUR or GBP
• Milestone based or monthly payment schedule
• Advance percentage before starting work
• Timeline for payment after invoice
• Responsibility for bank charges and currency conversion
• Late payment fees
Many Indian freelancers add a small buffer when quoting in foreign currency. This helps absorb exchange rate fluctuations between invoice and payout.
Taxes, Duties and Compliance
Cross border payments can involve withholding taxes, GST export rules and FEMA compliance.
Your contract should clearly mention:
• Whether the client will deduct any taxes in their country
• Whether the freelancer will issue zero rated invoices under GST
• Who covers bank charges or conversion fees
Intellectual property, confidentiality and data handling
Freelancers who create digital work deal with intellectual property every day. Your contract should mention who will own the work after payment. Some freelancers transfer full ownership once the final amount is paid. Others license the work for specific uses. Either way, it must be written down.
Confidentiality is equally important when working with foreign clients, especially with startup projects, unpublished content or financial data. A simple confidentiality clause protects both sides and often reassures the client.
With rising global privacy regulations, you should also confirm how client data will be handled, stored and used. For European clients, acknowledging GDPR compliance is a useful safeguard.
If you create designs, code, reports or content, you need a clause clarifying who owns the final work.
A simple format is:
• Freelancer keeps ownership until full payment is received
• Upon payment, the client receives usage rights
• Your earlier tools, code or templates remain your IP
Without this clause, clients may misuse your work or even resell it.
Confidentiality and Data Security
International clients often share sensitive data, customer details or internal documents. Freelancers handling such information must include a confidentiality clause that defines what can be shared, how data must be stored and what happens if confidentiality is breached.
Handling unexpected events with force majeure and termination clauses
Every contract should account for delays due to events outside your control, such as natural disasters, political issues, platform outages or global emergencies. A force majeure clause ensures that neither party is penalized for circumstances they cannot influence.
Similarly, a termination clause explains how either party can end the contract, what notice period is required and how pending payments will be handled. This prevents messy exits and protects you from sudden cancellations.
Why clear contracts reduce disputes and chargebacks
A detailed contract changes the tone of a project. Clients behave more professionally, communicate more clearly and respect boundaries. Most importantly, payment platforms and banks consider well documented agreements as proof during chargeback disputes.
If you ever face a situation where a client reverses a payment or claims non delivery, your contract, milestones, invoices and communication logs become your defence. Without them, even valid claims become difficult to prove.
Conclusion
International work opens doors to higher income and bigger opportunities. But as your client base becomes global, your paperwork must keep up. A strong contract is not about mistrust. It is about clarity, fairness and professionalism. When expectations are documented properly, projects run smoother, payments come on time and both sides feel secure.
If you pair clear contracts with reliable payment methods, you create a workflow that removes unpredictability from international freelancing and lets you focus on your craft.
Getting Paid Smoothly With BRISKPE
Once your contract is in place, you also need a payment platform that keeps things clear. BRISKPE gives freelancers predictable payouts by using a simple slab based fee structure: 16 dollars for payments up to 2000 dollars, 25 dollars for payments between 2001 and 10000 dollars and 0.25 percent above that amount. Conversions happen at the live market rate without hidden markups, and e FIRA is generated automatically for compliance. This helps you match contract terms with clean documentation, giving you clarity on the exact amount you will receive.
Check out a ready to use international contract template for freelancers. It is simple, practical, and easy to customize for design, development, writing, consulting or marketing services:
International Service Agreement
(Template for Freelancers and Agencies)
This International Service Agreement is made on ___ / ___ / ______ between:
Service Provider
Name: __________________________
Business name (if any): __________________________
Address: __________________________
Country: India
Email: __________________________
Client
Name / Company: __________________________
Address: __________________________
Country: __________________________
Email: __________________________
Together referred to as “the Parties.”
1. Project Scope
The Service Provider agrees to perform the following services:
Deliverables will include:
Anything not listed above will be treated as outside the scope and may require a new agreement or additional fee.
2. Project Timeline
The project begins on __________________ and is expected to be completed by __________________.
Interim milestones (optional):
Timeline extensions may occur if the Client delays feedback, approvals or access.
3. Payment Terms
Total project fee: __________________ (in USD / EUR / GBP / INR – choose one).
Payment schedule:
- ___ percent upfront upon signing
- ___ percent on mid project milestone
- ___ percent on final delivery
Payments must be made through __________________ (Wise / Payoneer / bank transfer / BRISKPE / other approved method).
All transfer charges and currency conversion fees will be borne by:
Client / Service Provider (choose one).
Late payments beyond ___ days may attract a late fee of __________________.
4. Revisions
The agreement includes ___ rounds of revisions. Additional revisions will be billed at __________________ per hour or per change request.
5. Ownership and Intellectual Property
Full ownership of the final deliverables will transfer to the Client only after full payment is received.
The Service Provider retains ownership of drafts, working files and rejected concepts unless otherwise agreed.
The Service Provider may display completed work in portfolios or case studies unless the Client requests confidentiality in writing.
6. Confidentiality
Both Parties agree to keep project information, strategies, files and internal communication confidential. Confidentiality continues for one year after the project ends.
7. Taxes and Compliance
The Client is responsible for any taxes applicable in their country.
The Service Provider is responsible for GST, income tax or regulatory filings in India.
If the Client requires documents like invoices, FIRC, e FIRA or contracts for compliance, they will be provided upon request.
8. Cancellation and Termination
Either Party may terminate this agreement with ___ days’ written notice.
If the Client cancels the project mid way, completed work and time spent will be billed proportionately.
Upfront fees are non refundable once work has started.
9. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law
This agreement will be governed by the laws of India unless otherwise agreed.
Any disputes will be resolved through arbitration in __________________ (choose: New Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore etc).
The arbitration language will be English.
10. Force Majeure
Neither Party is liable for delays caused by events outside their control such as natural disasters, internet outages, war, pandemics or government restrictions.
11. Entire Agreement
This document contains the full understanding between the Parties and replaces any previous conversations or emails on the subject.
Signatures
Service Provider
Signature: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Client
Signature: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
