SWIFT transfers: fees, duration, and alternatives

Huge volumes of international payments are made every day by people sending money to loved ones overseas, paying suppliers abroad on behalf of a business, and settling foreign currency invoices. If you’re making a payment overseas or in a foreign currency with your bank, you’ll probably be recommended to use a SWIFT transfer. That’s an international wire or telegraphic transfer which is processed through the SWIFT payment network.

SWIFT has been in operation for over 50 years, is secure and reliable, and is the payment network favoured by most banks globally. But how does it work? If you’re wondering what a SWIFT payment really is, how long they take or how much they cost, you’re in the right place.

Read on for more about SWIFT - plus a look at alternatives which may be able to save you money, such as Wise. Specialist services like these can often be much cheaper than your normal bank - and offer a faster delivery time, too.

What is a SWIFT transfer?

SWIFT stands for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, and was created some 50 years ago to make international payments more secure and reliable. SWIFT is used by 11,000+ banks and organisations around the world, and can facilitate payments to over 200 countries and territories.

What is a SWIFT code?

SWIFT issues and oversees unique codes - known as SWIFT codes or SWIFT/BIC codes - to participating institutions, which are used to guide payments to the right bank, even if it’s on the other side of the world. SWIFT then processes secure messaging and payment orders through its network, to make sure that transfers are moved safely to the destination country, bank and individual account.

In the US, banks may use different SWIFT codes for different types of payment, or depending on the specific branch which holds your account. In many other countries around the world, banks will use the same SWIFT code for all incoming transfers. The payment is then safely deposited to the right account using this alongside the other information you provide when sending a SWIFT payment - such as the account number, and country specific requirements like a sort code for the UK.

SWIFT transfer fees

If you’re sending a SWIFT transfer, there will pretty much always be a charge to pay - but exactly what that is can depend on factors like:

• The way you set up your payment - online transfers may be cheaper than arranging your payment in person

• Your own bank’s approach to charging, which can vary based on the account you hold, where you’re sending money and the value of the transfer

• The exchange rate applied - many banks add a markup (an extra fee) to the exchange rate used to convert your funds to the required currency

• The way your payment is routed - intermediary fees may apply depending on how your money moves through SWIFT

In addition to any fees you pay to set up your SWIFT transfer, there may also be charges applied by the recipient’s own bank, which can mean they get less than you expected in the end.

How to avoid SWIFT fees

SWIFT fees can be high, include several different fees - and can also be pretty unpredictable. That may mean you don’t know exactly what you’re paying when you confirm the transfer.

Here are a couple of ways you may be able to reduce or remove SWIFT fees when sending money overseas:

• Check if your bank offers any accounts which waive SWIFT fees - this may be possible for premium account holders, or very loyal customers

• Always send online if possible - this often reduces the fee you pay, and may mean no upfront transfer fee at all

• Use an alternative provider like Wise instead of your bank (more on that in a moment)

• Open a digital multi-currency account to send in the same currency as your recipient needs to receive

Alternative international money transfer services like Wise have created their own payment networks to avoid SWIFT. Usually this will mean you make a local payment in your home currency to the provider, and they then pay out the agreed amount to the recipient in the currency you need to send, from their own account in the destination country. This means no money really has to cross any borders, which cuts out intermediary fees and can also make the delivery time much faster.

You may also find you get a better rate with an alternative provider. Wise for example splits out all the costs you’ll pay, and uses the mid-market exchange rate - the same one you’ll find on Google - to make it easy to see the total fees involved in your transfer.

Alternatives to SWIFT transfer to send money overseas

As we’ve noted, SWIFT isn’t the only way to process international payments. Alternative providers have emerged which use different approaches to moving money overseas, which can help customers avoid the fees applied by banks for international transfers.

Let’s look at a quick comparison of the costs of sending a payment with some major Indian banks compared to alternative provider Wise:

As you can see, there are a variety of different fee structures when it comes to sending an overseas payment. With traditional banks the key challenge is that intermediary fees and exchange rate markups can be tricky to spot - so you won’t necessarily know in advance exactly what you’re paying.

Specialist providers tend to offer lower total fees - and some, like Wise, use the mid-market exchange rate with all fees split out for full transparency. This makes it far easier to see exactly what your payment is costing  you.

Wise international transfer

Use Wise to send in a range of currencies, to 40+ countries, with low fees and the mid-market exchange rate. 50% of payments arrive instantly, and 90% are deposited within 24 hours.

Wise doesn’t use the SWIFT network - instead it built its own payment network which cuts out the intermediaries involved in SWIFT, and makes it cheaper and faster to send payments overseas.

How to make a SWIFT transfer

The SWIFT network doesn’t process international transfers itself. Instead, SWIFT facilitates transactions between financial institutions through secure transaction orders using SWIFT codes.

SWIFT payments are processed using a standard format, no matter where in the world you’re sending from or to.

What information do you need for a SWIFT transfer?

Before you can set up your SWIFT transfer you’ll need to gather some information from and about the recipient, including:

• Name and surname of recipient, as shown on their bank account

• Recipient’s IBAN or account and banking details

• BIC/SWIFT code of the recipient

• You’ll also need to give some information about yourself for verification when you set up the transfer

The specific information that’s needed can depend on the payment itself. Some countries need additional banking information for example, like a sort code for the UK. Some transfers - especially high value payments - may also call for additional verification, including information about the reason for the transfer and the source of the funds.

How to make a SWIFT transfer online

You’ll usually be able to make a SWIFT transfer online through your normal online banking service. Here are the basic steps you’ll have to take:

• Log into your online or mobile banking and navigate to payments

• Look for the option for SWIFT transfers or international payments

• Enter the details of the transfer including the amount and currency you need

• Add the recipient’s personal and banking information following the onscreen prompts

• Check the fees and exchange rate, and confirm your payment - a verification step may be required at this point, too

Is it safe to make a SWIFT transfer?

Yes. SWIFT is used by banks because it is a highly secure and reliable payment network that’s been used for decades. In fact, it’s estimated that almost half of all cross-border payments globally use the SWIFT network.

How to find a SWIFT code?

It’s important to make sure you have the correct SWIFT code if you’re sending money to someone overseas. Similarly, if you need to receive an international payment, you’ll need to ensure the sender has all your details correctly.

You can usually find your SWIFT code by logging into online or mobile banking, or by looking on an account statement. If you’re unsure you can also call your bank.

Ask the person you’re sending money to what their SWIFT code is before you set up your transfer - and if you’ve got a code but want to double check, try our SWIFT code checker tool.

How long does a SWIFT transfer take?

SWIFT payments can take 1-5 working days, or a little longer for transfers in exotic currencies. The exact delivery time will vary based on when you set up your payment, where the money is going, the value of the transfer, and the processes used by the banks involved.

Need to get your money moving faster? Specialist services like Wise can often arrange far faster transfers. 50% of Wise payments are instant, cash collection payments may arrive right away too.

Pros and cons of SWIFT transfers

The SWIFT network is popular and secure - making it a common choice for banks. However, it’s not right for every payment - and it does have a few drawbacks to consider. Here are some pros and cons to think about before you make your payment.

SWIFT vs international wire or telegraphic transfer: what’s the difference?

The phrases SWIFT transfer and international wire transfer (or telegraphic transfer) are often used interchangeably.

International wire transfers are any payment sent from one bank to another, to be deposited directly into the recipient’s account.

SWIFT is a payment network, which is commonly used by banks when sending wires overseas. That means SWIFT payments are pretty much always international wire transfers - however, not all international wire transfers are SWIFT payments.

That’s because there are other payment networks in place in some countries and regions - such as SPFS which is commonly used in Russia. However, the most popular globally by far is SWIFT.

• SWIFT is a payment network

• SWIFT transfers are usually international wire transfers

• Some international wire transfers are processed using payment networks other than SWIFT

What are the types of SWIFT transfer available?

If you’re sending a SWIFT transfer to a bank outside the EEA, you can sometimes decide how the fees are split between the recipient and the sender.

When you set up a SWIFT transfer you may find you’re asked to decide between the following payment structures:

• SHA: In this case the fees are divided between sender and recipient, with the sender paying the charges their own bank levies, and the recipient covering any fees for their bank.

• OUR: With an OUR payment the sender covers the fees applied by both the sending bank and those of the recipient’s bank.

• BEN: In a BEN payment, all of the fees from both the sending bank and the recipient’s bank are covered by the recipient.

Not all banks offer all of these different payment types - check the options available before you set up your transfer.

The verdict: is it worth sending money via SWIFT?

SWIFT payments are safe and reliable but can be pretty slow and expensive too. Whether or not a SWIFT transfer is the right option for you depends on where you’re sending money to, the value of the transfer, and how quickly you need it to arrive.

Alternative providers like Wise may be able to offer better exchange rates, lower overall fees, and a speedier service compared to your bank. It’s well worth comparing a few options before you decide on SWIFT for your payment - shopping around may mean you spend less, and your money arrives faster too.

Conclusion: What is a SWIFT Transfer?

SWIFT payments can be the right option, particularly if you’re sending money to an exotic currency. However, they may not be the most cost effective or convenient way to go.

Compare the options for SWIFT payments offered by your normal bank against money transfer providers like Wise. Specialist services like these may be cheaper, faster, and just as safe to use, if they cover the destination you’re sending to.