During the pre-globalization era, buying stuff from other countries was a bit of a hassle. You know, like if you wanted to buy something cool from Japan but you lived in, say, Brazil? Well, you’d have to go through several processing protocols for getting it done.

So, there’s been an explosion in demand for super easy yet affordable international business payments.

Let’s understand how cross-border payments work! 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s basically when money flies around the world from one account to another. Whether it’s a big company paying for some fancy service in another country or just you buying that cute sweater from a shop in France, international payments make it all possible in nearly no time! Now, when money’s flying across borders it needs to be converted into different currencies. I mean, the dollar isn’t much used in Europe or the dirham is not used in the US, right? So, there’s this whole dance called foreign exchange that happens to make sure everybody gets the right amount of value in the end.

Easy guide for making international payments 💸

There are several common ways for making international business payments. Each of them has their own benefits and consideration. Let’s dive deep into the details of each one of these.

Wire Transfers 🏦

These are direct bank-to-bank transactions that are reliable for sending large amounts internationally. They can be costly in terms of fees and sometimes have higher exchange rates.

Let’s consider your US-based business needs to pay a supplier in Germany €50,000. You will initiate a wire transfer through their bank, providing the supplier’s bank details in Germany.

Step by Step Guide for Wire Transfer

• Contact your bank to request a wire transfer. You’ll need to provide the recipient’s bank details, including name, address, account number, and SWIFT/BIC code.
• Fill out the wire transfer form either online or in person at your bank branch.
• Confirm the transaction details and fees. Approve the payment.
• The bank processes the wire transfer, usually within 1-5 business days.
• Receive confirmation from your bank and verify with the recipient that they received the funds.

Pros:

• Secure and Reliable: Wire transfers are considered very secure and are widely used for large transactions internationally.
• Fast: Transfers can be completed within a day or two, making it ideal for urgent payments.

Cons:

• Expensive: High fees are common, both for sending and potentially for the recipient to receive.
• Requires Accurate Information: Errors in bank details can lead to significant delays or loss of funds.

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ACH Transfers 🔁

Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments are less expensive than wire transfers but are generally slower and may not be available for all international transactions. Assume your company in the USA needs to pay a freelance developer in Canada. You will use ACH for a payment of $1,200 due to lower fees compared to a wire transfer.

Step by Step Guide for ACH Transfers

• Verify if international ACH transfers are supported by your bank.
• Collect the necessary banking information from the recipient, including their bank routing and account numbers.
• Log in to your online banking platform and navigate to the ACH transfer section.
• Enter the payment details and submit the transfer.
• Monitor the transfer status; ACH transfers may take several days to complete.

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than wire transfers, especially for regular payments.
• Good for Regular Payments: Well-suited for recurring payments due to lower fees.

Cons:

• Slower: Can take several days to process, which is not ideal for urgent payments.
• Limited Availability: Not all countries support international ACH transfers.

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Credit and Debit Cards 💳

Using cards is convenient for smaller payments and is supported by most vendors globally. However, fees for international transactions can be high. Consider your event planner company in the UK uses their business credit card to pay for event supplies from a French company online.

Step by Step Guide for Credit and Debit Cards

• Obtain the payment details page or invoice where credit or debit card information needs to be entered.
• Enter your card details, including card number, expiration date, and CVV code.
•  Verify the payment details and confirm the transaction.
•  You may need to complete a verification process with your bank (e.g., a one-time password).
• Once the transaction is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation, and the funds will be deducted from your card.

Pros:

• Convenient: Widely accepted and easy to use.
• Instant Processing: Transactions are processed immediately, good for quick purchases.

Cons:

• High Fees: International transactions can incur significant fees.
• Fraud Risk: Higher risk of fraud compared to other methods.

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Online Payment Platforms 💻

Services like PayPal, Skrill, and Stripe allow for quick and easy international payments. They often provide a layer of security and fraud protection but can include fees. Suppose your software company in Australia pays a licensing fee to a tech provider in the US using PayPal, converting AUD to USD during the transaction.

Step by Step Guide for Online Payment Platforms

• Create an account on the payment platform if you don’t already have one.
• Link your bank account or card to the platform.
• Choose the ‘Send Money’ option and enter the recipient’s email address or account number.
• Enter the amount to send, select the currency, and confirm the details.
• Review and confirm the transaction. The recipient will be notified of the payment.

Pros:

• User-Friendly: Easy to use with just an email address or phone number.
• Fast and Secure: Transactions are quick and usually have strong security measures.

Cons:

• Transaction Fees: Can be high, especially when converting currencies.
• Account Limitations:  Accounts can be frozen or limited based on suspicious activities.

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International Money Orders 💵

A more traditional method, suitable for areas where electronic payments might not be readily accepted. They can be purchased at banks and post offices.  Assume you are a small business owner in the US who needs to buy an international money order to pay an antique supplier in Italy.

Step by Step Guide for International Money Orders

• Visit a bank, post office, or financial institution that issues international money orders.
• Purchase a money order for the required amount in the recipient’s currency.
• Mail the money order to the recipient’s address.
• The recipient deposits the money order into their bank account.

Pros:

• No Need for Bank Accounts: Useful in areas where banking services are limited.
• Fixed Amount: Once purchased, the amount cannot be changed, which secures the transaction.

Cons:

• Slow and Cumbersome: Requires physical mailing, which can be slow and insecure.
• Limited Acceptance: Not all businesses accept money orders as payment.

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Blockchain Transaction ⛓

Digital currencies like Stablecoin, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple are being increasingly accepted for blockchain transactions, offering fast transfers and lower fees without being tied to any specific country’s currency. Your tech firm in Silicon Valley pays a contractor in Brazil using Stablecoin for a software development project.

Step by Step Guide for Blockchain Transaction

• Both parties need a digital wallet like Wind.App.
• Purchase stablecoins if you don’t already own it.
• Agree on which stablecoin to use for the transaction.
• Send the cryptocurrency from your wallet to the recipient’s wallet address.
• The transaction is verified by the network, and the funds become available to the recipient.

Pros:

• Low Transaction Fees: Much lower than traditional banking fees.
• Fast International Transfers: Almost instantaneous transfers worldwide.

Cons:

• Volatility: Except Stablecoin, high volatility in currency value can impact the actual amount transferred.
• Regulatory Issues: Not universally accepted and faces regulatory scrutiny in many countries.

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Trade Credits 💱

In international trade, companies might use trade credits where the payment is deferred and processed through trade credit agreements between the buyers and sellers. Suppose a manufacturer in India ships clothing to a retailer in the USA with a 90-day payment term under a trade credit agreement.

Step by Step Guide for Trade Credits

• Establish a trade credit agreement with your international trade partner specifying payment terms and conditions.
• Ship goods or deliver services under the agreed trade credit terms.
• Invoice the buyer for the shipped goods or delivered services.
• The buyer makes the payment according to the agreed timeline, often 30, 60, or 90 days after the invoice.

Pros:

• Improves Cash Flow: Allows businesses to defer payments, aiding in cash flow management.
• Strengthens Business Relationships: Facilitates repeated business and trust between companies.

Cons:

• Risk of Non-Payment: Credit risk if the buyer faces financial difficulties.
• Complex Management: Requires careful management of credit terms and agreements.

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Foreign Exchange Brokers 🔂

These brokers can handle large transactions and typically offer better exchange rates than banks. They are particularly useful for frequent and large-scale business transactions. Assume a construction company in the UK needs to pay a subcontractor in Poland and uses a foreign exchange broker to get a better rate on the zloty.

Step by Step Guide for Foreign Exchange Brokers

• Select a reputable foreign exchange broker.
• Set up an account and provide any required documentation.
• Arrange a currency exchange and transfer. Provide the recipient’s bank details.
• Confirm the transaction details, including fees and exchange rates.
• The broker executes the trade, and the funds are transferred to the recipient’s account.

Pros:

• Competitive Exchange Rates: Typically offer better rates than banks.
• Expertise: Brokers can provide advice on currency trends and hedging options.

Cons:

• Broker Reliability: Need to ensure the broker is reputable to avoid scams.
• Variable Fees: Fee structures can be complex and vary between brokers.

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How Wind.App can help you make an international payment 🤝🙋‍♂️

Wind.App is best for instant and secure money transfers at near-zero cost. We consider you in three different identities.

Personal: For Individual Usage 

• We offer an instant yet most secure fund transfer facility.
• We provide the best exchange rate so you need not worry at all.
• In terms of your Idle fund we offer the best interest rate.
• No matter what happens in the crypto market your fund is secure without devaluation as we deal with stablecoin.

Download Wind.App today and experience next generation payment gateway

Business: For Company Usage

• We offer you to send payments to your remote team members with just a few clicks.
• You can send money to your home country and withdraw to your local bank.
• You can pay your employees, vendors and freelancers globally on near-zero cost.

Join Wind for Business today and manage your business finance from one single dashboard.

Developers (API): For Web3 Companies

• We provide Crypto <> Fiat API that can scale.
• Pricing that works for you – best FX rates.
• We handle KYC, KYB and all your compliance needs.

For experiencing our API contact with us

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