How Tengiva Handles Your Money
Understanding how payments work is essential for managing your cash flow and financial planning. This guide explains everything about how Tengiva processes payments, holds funds, manages currencies, and handles withdrawals.
The Simple Version
In-Stock Orders (Processed Through Tengiva):
You set prices in your currency
Buyers pay in USD
Funds held securely for 20-60 days (depending on payment method)
You withdraw when ready
Production Quotes:
Invoiced directly between you and your buyer
Tengiva doesn't touch the money
No processing fees
How Payments Work: Step by Step
Step 1: You Set Your Prices
You price your products in your preferred currency—Euro, US Dollar, Colombian Peso, or any other currency you choose. This is your working currency in the Tengiva system.
Example: A European supplier prices cotton jersey at 25 EUR per meter.
Step 2: Weekly Currency Conversion
Every week, Tengiva converts your prices to USD at current market rates. This ensures buyers see stable, predictable pricing while your prices stay current with exchange rate fluctuations.
Your dashboard shows both:
Your price in your chosen currency
Current USD equivalent
Example: 25 EUR converts to approximately 27.50 USD at the weekly conversion rate.
Step 3: Buyer Purchases in USD
When a buyer places an order, they see and pay the USD price. The exchange rate at the moment of purchase is locked in and recorded on the transaction.
Example: Buyer orders 100 meters at 27.50 USD/meter = $2,750 USD total.
Step 4: Invoice Shows Both Currencies
Your transaction record and invoice show:
Your original price (25 EUR/meter)
USD equivalent at moment of sale (27.50 USD/meter)
Exchange rate used (1 EUR = 1.10 USD at transaction time)
This helps your accounting team reconcile transactions in your local currency while tracking the USD amounts actually received.
Step 5: Funds Held in USD Trust Account
All funds are held securely in a USD trust account. This account is:
Completely separate from Tengiva's operating accounts
Held by a regulated financial institution
Audited and compliant with international payment standards
Protected in the unlikely event of Tengiva business issues
Hold periods:
Credit card payments: 20 days after delivery confirmation
Monthly invoice payments (larger clients): 60 days from purchase date
Why hold periods exist:
Ensures buyers receive their orders as promised
Protects against fraud and chargebacks
Allows time for quality issues to surface and be resolved
Standard industry practice for marketplace transactions
Step 6: Funds Available for Withdrawal
After the hold period, funds become available for withdrawal. You can withdraw in 100+ currencies based on your preference and cash flow needs.
Your dashboard shows:
Available balance (in USD)
Estimated value in your currency (updated daily)
Pending funds (still in hold period)
Withdrawal history
Currency Management Strategy
Understanding Currency Display in Your Dashboard
Your Pricing Panel: Shows your products in your chosen currency (e.g., 25 EUR/meter)
Your Sales Dashboard: Shows transactions in USD (the actual funds held) with reference to your original currency
Your Available Balance: Displayed in USD with "Estimated value: [Your Currency]" shown below
Example Dashboard View:
Available for Withdrawal: $900 USD
Estimated value: 820 EUR (at current rate 1 USD = 0.91 EUR)
Smart Withdrawal Strategy
Bundle your withdrawals to minimize the impact of fixed processor fees ($1-10 per withdrawal):
Withdraw $100 → Fee represents 1-10% of your withdrawal
Withdraw $1,000 → Fee represents 0.1-1% of your withdrawal
Withdraw $5,000 → Fee represents 0.02-0.2% of your withdrawal
The more you use the software, the better your withdrawal rate.
Withdrawal Process
How to Withdraw Funds
Log into your Tengiva dashboard
Navigate to Payments → Withdraw Funds
Enter withdrawal amount (minimum $100 USD)
Select your preferred currency (100+ currencies available)
Confirm bank account details (pre-configured during onboarding)
Submit withdrawal request
Bank Transfer Timeline
Domestic USD Transfers (US banks): 2-3 business days
International Wire Transfers: 3-5 business days
Tengiva supports withdrawals in 100+ currencies. The exchange rate is applied at the time of withdrawal based on current market rates.
Fees
Processor Fees: Our payment processor charges $1-10 USD per withdrawal transaction, deducted automatically from your withdrawal amount.
Example:
You request withdrawal: $1,000 USD
Processor fee: -$5 USD
Net transfer to your bank: $995 USD
Your transaction statement shows the full breakdown. We recommend bundling multiple sales into fewer withdrawals to minimize these fees (e.g., monthly withdrawals = 12 fees/year vs. weekly = 52 fees/year).
Tax Documentation & Reporting
Your Tengiva dashboard provides complete transaction history including dates, products, quantities, pricing (both your currency and USD), exchange rates, buyer information, and payment details.
Consult your accountant for tax reporting requirements in your jurisdiction.
Refunds & Disputes
Quality Assurance Process
During Hold Period: If a buyer reports a quality issue or non-delivery during the hold period, Tengiva investigates. Funds remain in escrow until resolution.
This hold period exists to ensure buyers receive their orders in the quality promised. It protects both parties by allowing time for issues to surface before funds are released.
Important: This is a B2B environment where buyers can order swatch samples and smaller volumes before committing to larger purchases. Returns are not accepted once the hold period ends and quality has been confirmed.
Dispute Process
Buyer files dispute with evidence (photos, shipping docs, etc.)
You respond within 48 hours with your evidence
Tengiva reviews both sides and transaction records
Decision made within 5-7 business days
Funds released to appropriate party
Chargeback Protection
Credit card chargebacks are covered by the 3% payment processing portion of the fee. If a buyer initiates a chargeback:
Tengiva handles all communication with credit card company
You provide evidence (shipping confirmation, product specs, buyer communication)
Tengiva fights the chargeback on your behalf
If you win, you receive full payment
If you lose, funds are returned to buyer
This protection is why the hold period exists—it dramatically reduces chargeback risk.
Security & Compliance
Trust Account Protection
Your funds are held in a regulated trust account completely separate from Tengiva's operating capital. This means:
Your money cannot be used for Tengiva business operations
Your funds are protected even if Tengiva faces financial difficulty
Trust accounts are regularly audited by financial regulators
Industry-standard security protocols protect all transactions
Fraud Prevention
Tengiva monitors all transactions for:
Unusual purchasing patterns
High-risk buyer behavior
Suspicious shipping addresses
Velocity checks (too many orders too fast)
Cross-reference with known fraud databases
You're notified immediately of any flagged transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change my preferred pricing currency after I start?
A: Yes, but it affects new product listings only. Existing products remain in their original currency. Contact support to add a new currency to your account.
Q: What if the USD collapses or becomes unstable?
A: Tengiva continuously monitors currency stability and reserves the right to change the holding currency if USD becomes unsuitable. Suppliers would be notified 90 days in advance of any change.
Q: Can I be paid in cryptocurrency?
A: Not currently. All withdrawals are bank transfers in traditional currencies.
Q: What happens to interest earned on funds in the trust account?
A: Trust account interest (if any) offsets the operational costs of maintaining the trust account. No interest is paid to individual suppliers.
Q: Can I expedite the hold period by providing extra proof of delivery?
A: No. Hold periods are standardized for all suppliers to ensure fairness and protect the buyer experience. Exceptions create operational complexity and potential discrimination issues.
Q: What if my bank rejects the transfer?
A: Funds remain in your available balance. You'll be notified of the rejection and can update bank details or try again. No funds are lost.
Q: Do I need a business bank account, or can I use personal?
A: You can use either, but we strongly recommend a business account for:
Clearer accounting and tax reporting
Professional appearance
Easier business expense tracking
Potential tax advantages (consult your accountant)
Q: What exchange rate is used when I withdraw?
A: Tengiva supports withdrawals in 100+ currencies. When you withdraw, you select your preferred currency and the exchange rate is applied at that moment based on current market rates.
Q: Can I keep funds in my USD balance indefinitely?
A: Yes. There's no requirement to withdraw. Some suppliers maintain a USD balance as a hedge against their local currency volatility.
Q: What's the maximum withdrawal amount?
A: No maximum. Withdraw your entire available balance if desired. Minimum is $100 USD per withdrawal.
Q: Can I split a withdrawal across multiple bank accounts?
A: No. Each withdrawal goes to a single pre-configured bank account. You can change your default account at any time.
Need Help?
Payment Support: payments@tengiva.com
Response Time: Within 24 hours (on business days)
Last Updated: January 2026Version: 1.0
