Collecting GBP from UK customers as a US company
UK companies pay suppliers by Faster Payments to a sort code and account number. A US company with GBP details gets paid like a local supplier, in full, usually within seconds.
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UK clients are used to paying suppliers in seconds. Asking them to send an international wire to a US account adds a fee, a form and a delay.
Two ways to get paid
| USD account | GBP details | |
|---|---|---|
| How the UK client pays | International wire | Faster Payments |
| Client's cost | Wire fee | Usually none |
| Arrives | 1 to 2 days, possibly short | Seconds, in full |
| Conversion | Their bank or yours | When you choose |
Confirmation of Payee
UK banks check the name the client enters against the account. If your GBP details are in your company's legal name, the check matches, and the client's finance team is not put off by a warning.
UK VAT
A US company selling B2B services to UK businesses generally does not charge UK VAT; the UK customer accounts for it. Selling to UK consumers can be different. See GOV.UK's place of supply guidance.
Hold or convert
If you pay UK contractors, software or ads in pounds, pay from the GBP balance. Convert the surplus at a rate you see first.
Paying into the United States: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | ACH for batch payments; RTP and FedNow for instant transfers |
| Run by | Nacha for ACH; The Clearing House for RTP; the Federal Reserve for FedNow |
| Settlement | Same-day ACH within the business day, standard ACH the next; RTP and FedNow in seconds, 24/7, where both banks take part |
Source: Nacha: Same Day ACH. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet gives registered companies GBP details with a sort code in the company's name on Growth, plus EUR and USD details. UK clients pay by Faster Payments; you convert from 0.50% when you choose. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See GBP business account and confirmation of payee no match.
Questions people ask
How do UK clients pay a US company?
Usually by international wire to a USD account, unless the US company gives them GBP details. With GBP details, they pay by Faster Payments.
What is Confirmation of Payee?
A UK check that compares the name the payer enters with the name on the receiving account and warns if they differ.
Should I invoice UK clients in GBP?
It makes paying easier for them. Hold the pounds or convert at a rate you choose.
How fast is Faster Payments?
Usually seconds, and available all day, every day.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
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