Source: https://rivet.global/blog/collect-gbp-from-uk-customers-us
Published: 2026-10-01 · Updated: 2026-10-01 · By Alexia M.

# Collecting GBP from UK customers as a US company

How a US business gets paid by UK clients: sterling details with a sort code, Faster Payments, Confirmation of Payee, invoicing in GBP and when to convert.

## Key takeaways

- UK businesses pay suppliers by Faster Payments or Bacs using a sort code and account number.
- GBP details in the US company's name let UK clients pay locally instead of sending an international wire.
- UK banks run Confirmation of Payee checks; the account name must match your company name for a clean match.
- Holding GBP lets you pay UK costs in pounds and convert the rest when you choose.

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](https://www.nacha.org/rules/same-day-ach-moving-payments-faster). 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](/blog/gbp-business-account) and [confirmation of payee no match](/blog/confirmation-of-payee-no-match).

## Questions

### 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.