Risk as an Importer : The position is entirely opposite of what it is for the exporter. If the importer is billed in rupees, he does not stand to loss at all whether the foreign currency appreciates or depreciates. But considering the position of the Indian rupees as it is, no exporter would like to bill the Indian importer in rupees. Hence, the importer is always exposed to an exchange risk. Let us suppose that an Indian importer contracts to purchase equipment costing

$10,000 on January 1, expecting to pay Rs.3,50,000 in Indian currency. But if the value of dollar increases to Rs.36 on May 1 when the payment is due, he will have to pay Rs.3,60,000 and not Rs.3,50,000. Of course, there is an equal possibility of the dollar going down to Rs.34. In that case, the Indian importer will stand to gain. But the point is that he is exposed to a risk. The higher the appreciation of the dollar the higher is the risk to which he is exposed.