Source: https://rivet.global/blog/international-wire-transfer-fees-us-business
Published: 2026-08-30 · Updated: 2026-08-30 · By Alexia M.

# International wire transfer fees for US businesses: what you really pay

What US businesses pay on international wires: sending fees, intermediary deductions, receiving fees abroad and the FX margin, with ways to cut each one.

## Key takeaways

- International wires carry a sending fee, possible intermediary fees, a possible receiving fee abroad and an FX margin.
- On SHA terms intermediary fees come out of the amount; on OUR terms the sender pays them.
- The FX margin, often 1% to 3% at banks, is usually larger than the wire fee on payments above a few thousand dollars.
- Local payouts in the recipient's currency avoid intermediary banks.

Google completes "international wire transfer" with "fee", "chase", "bank of america" and "wells fargo". The fee on the bank's page is one of four costs.

## The four costs

| Cost | Who charges | Visible? |
|---|---|---|
| Sending fee | Your provider | Yes |
| Intermediary fee | Correspondent banks | Deducted on the way |
| Receiving fee | Recipient's bank | Deducted on arrival |
| FX margin | Whoever converts | In the rate |

## A $10,000 payment to Spain

- Your fee: $0 to $40 depending on provider.
- Intermediary: $15 to $30 on SHA.
- Receiving: some banks charge a fee.
- FX: at a 2% margin, $200. At 0.5%, $50.

The FX line is the one to compare.

## OUR or SHA

OUR means the recipient receives the full amount and you pay all fees. For invoice payments, OUR avoids short payments. Mercury, for example, lists a flat $15 OUR option.

## Ways to cut the cost

1. Compare your provider's rate to the mid-market rate.
2. Pay in the recipient's currency if your rate is better than their bank's.
3. Use a local payout rail where possible.
4. Batch payments to the same country.

## 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 pays out to 120+ countries on local rails where available, at $2 per payout on Starter, $1 on Growth and $0.50 on Scale, with FX from 0.80% to 0.30% by plan. You see the rate and fee before you confirm. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See [best bank for international wire transfers](/blog/best-bank-for-international-wire-transfers).

## Questions

### How much does an international wire cost?

The sending fee varies by bank and plan, from $0 at some fintechs to $40 or more at some banks. Add intermediary fees and the FX margin.

### Who pays intermediary fees?

On SHA terms, the recipient, because they are deducted from the amount. On OUR terms, the sender.

### Is it cheaper to send USD or local currency?

It depends on whose exchange rate is better. Compare your provider's rate with what the recipient's bank would apply.

### What does a US business need to send a wire?

The recipient's name and address, bank name, SWIFT/BIC, account number or IBAN, and purpose of payment.