Sending or receiving money internationally? You already know international wire transfer is the easiest way to go about doing the same.
It's fast, complies with regulations, and comes with affordable rates.
For both personal and business needs, international wire transfers are a trustworthy choice. But how exactly do they work, and how can you optimize their use to save on currency conversion rates?
Read on…
An international wire transfer is a financial service provided by banks, facilitating the electronic transfer of funds from one bank account to another located in a different country. The standard processing time for such transfers usually ranges from 1 to 2 business days.
When you're sending money through a wire transfer, you usually need to provide:
Back in the day, banks used telegraph wires to send money, and that's how the term "wire transfer" came about. In contemporary times, the most common method for conducting international wire transfers involves utilizing the SWIFT network.
This can be likened to a vast messaging system that links over 12,000 banks across more than 220 countries. It's like banks talking to each other, passing along information, and making sure the money gets where it needs to go.
Let's imagine someone in the US wants to send money to India. They go to their bank (let's call it Bank A) and provide the details of the person in India who will receive the money (let's call it Bank B). Bank A then sends instructions to Bank B, including information like the recipient's name, account number, and how much money to send. It's like a set of rules for the banks to follow.
Here's the catch: the instructions might not go directly from Bank A to Bank B. There could be another bank in the middle, which we'll call the "middleman" bank. But, remember, no actual money is being moved physically; it's more like a digital process.
International wire transfers are often used for sending money internationally. If it's within the same country, it usually takes a day. But if it's between countries, it can take up to five days or even more.
Now, if you want to send money through an international wire transfer, you'd need to tell your bank the details of the person getting the money and how much you want to send. Most times, you can do this online, but sometimes you might have to fill out a form. If you're the one receiving money through an international wire transfer, you'll need to share your bank details with the person sending you the money.
Make Note: International wire transfers come with costs. While the charges from your bank may not be much, the middleman bank might charge a fee. There's also a fee for converting the money into a different currency, and on top of that, there's a tax, which is a percentage of the total amount you're transferring. This tax can vary, ranging from 1% to 0.1% of the total amount you're sending.
In India, if someone is using a wire transfer service to send money internationally, the process is typically subject to regulatory oversight by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Here's an example:
Let's say a person in India wants to send a significant amount of money to a relative living abroad. They visit their bank or use an authorized international wire transfer service.
In the process:
International wire transfers can be over-regulated for reasons, such as:
Make Note: Once you've filled in the transfer form, the website will give you an idea of how long it might take. Your bank or neobank will keep you updated through their online portal. Usually, it takes 1-3 business days, but it can vary. Keep in mind, if the other bank is in a different time zone, or if the money passes through a few banks (3-5), it might affect the international wire transfer time.
If you're sending money internationally, here are five technical tips to ensure a smooth transaction:
Make Note: When you send money internationally, non-bank services handle the transaction, while international wire transfers go directly between banks using the SWIFT payment system. International money transfer fees are usually lower than international wire transfer fees.
International wire transfers are the simplest and easiest option for business or personal foreign remittances.
Why?
The charges are transparent. The timeline is short and there are no hidden or additional costs during the payment process.
Lastly, it is one of the safest most compliant ways to make cross-border payments.
Ultimately it boils down to choosing the best service provider to gain the best deals on forex margins.
Karbon Forex offers flexible FX margin rates for all business international wire transfers. Reach out to us to learn more!
The views expressed in the blogs on this page are solely the opinions of the authors and do not constitute expert advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.