Source: https://rivet.global/blog/pay-contractors-in-mexico-from-us
Published: 2026-09-08 · Updated: 2026-09-08 · By Alexia M.

# How to pay contractors in Mexico from the US

Paying Mexican contractors from a US company: MXN by SPEI vs USD wires, the CLABE, what contractors need for SAT, W-8BEN and the cost of each route.

## Key takeaways

- SPEI, run by Banco de México, settles peso payments in seconds using an 18-digit CLABE.
- A USD wire to a Mexican bank is converted at the bank's rate, often with a fee; some contractors hold USD accounts.
- Mexican contractors issue CFDI invoices for their SAT records; ask whether they need anything from you.
- Collect a W-8BEN from each contractor.

Mexico is the most common nearshore market for US companies. Paying Mexican contractors is easy once you use SPEI.

## Routes

| Route | Speed | Cost to contractor |
|---|---|---|
| MXN by SPEI | Seconds | Your provider's FX margin |
| USD wire to a Mexican bank | 1 to 2 days | Bank's FX margin and fees |
| USD to a Mexican USD account | 1 to 2 days | Fees; no conversion |

## What you need

- The contractor's full name and CLABE.
- A W-8BEN.
- Their CFDI or invoice for your records.

## A $4,000 monthly payment

By USD wire, the contractor's bank converts at its own rate and may charge a fee, and neither of you sees the margin until the money lands. By SPEI in MXN at a published 0.5% margin, you can check the rate against Banco de México's reference rate, and the money arrives in seconds.

## A monthly run, step by step

1. Collect the W-8BEN and the 18-digit CLABE, and check the name on the account.
2. Agree whether the fee is set in USD or MXN.
3. Receive the invoice or CFDI and pay on a fixed date with the invoice number as the reference.
4. Send the receipt.

SPEI rejects payments where the CLABE check digit is wrong, so a typo is caught before money moves.

## 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 contractors in Mexico in MXN on local rails from your USD balance, with fee and FX shown before you confirm, and pays 120+ other countries the same way. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See [MXN business payments](/blog/mxn-business-payments).

## Questions

### What is a CLABE?

An 18-digit standardised bank account number used for SPEI transfers in Mexico.

### Should I pay Mexican contractors in USD or MXN?

Ask them. Many prefer MXN at a good rate; some with USD accounts prefer dollars.

### How fast is SPEI?

Seconds, 24 hours a day, for most payments.

### Do contractors need a CFDI?

Mexican taxpayers issue CFDI electronic invoices for income. Foreign clients usually receive one with a generic foreign RFC.