How to Get Paid by International Clients (Methods, Fees & FX)
International payments lose money to transfer fees and exchange-rate margins. Here are the main ways to get paid across borders, what each costs, and how to keep more of the invoice.
Educational content only. This guide is published by the Blank Invoice Maker Editorial Team and maintained against primary-source references and in-product workflows. It is not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Read our editorial policy.
The hard part of an international invoice is not writing it — it is getting the money across the border without losing a chunk to fees. Two costs eat into cross-border payments: the transfer fee and the exchange-rate margin (the gap between the real mid-market rate and the one you are given). Here are the main methods, what they cost, and how to keep more of what you billed.
The main ways to receive money from abroad
1. International bank transfer (SWIFT)
The traditional route. It works everywhere but can be slow and carries fixed fees plus, sometimes, intermediary-bank charges deducted en route — which can leave you short if no one agreed who pays them. Best when the client insists on a plain bank transfer. Provide your IBAN and BIC/SWIFT.
2. Low-cost FX / multi-currency services
Services that let you receive money in several currencies and convert near the mid-market rate. They usually beat banks on the exchange-rate margin and are popular with freelancers billing clients in other currencies. You often get local account details in major currencies, so the client pays as if it were domestic.
3. Payment platforms and cards
Card and wallet platforms are convenient and fast, and easy for clients, but tend to charge the highest percentage fees — especially once currency conversion is added. Fine for one-off or smaller invoices where speed and ease matter more than squeezing out every fee.
4. Online invoice payment links
Some businesses add a "pay now" link. It is convenient but bundles processing fees. If your margins are thin, a direct transfer to a multi-currency account is usually cheaper.
Who pays the fees — decide before you send
Transfer fees and conversion costs have to land on someone. Agree it up front and put it on the invoice. Options: absorb it (simplest, just price it in), split it, or ask the client to cover it (state "client to bear all transfer charges"). For SWIFT specifically, the "charge option" determines whether intermediary fees come out of your payment — clarify it so you receive the full amount.
How to keep more of the invoice
- Invoice in a currency you can receive cheaply. If you hold a multi-currency account, being paid in the client's currency and converting on your terms often beats letting their bank convert.
- Avoid double conversion. Money converted twice (client's bank, then yours) is charged twice. Local account details in the client's currency remove one hop.
- Batch small invoices where a fixed per-transfer fee would otherwise dominate.
- Set clear terms and a deadline. International transfers take longer, so net terms and a due date reduce chasing.
- Show complete payment details. Missing an IBAN or reference is the most common cause of delay.
What to put in the payment section
Include the account name, IBAN, BIC/SWIFT, bank name and address if the client's bank asks for it, the currency, and a payment reference (your invoice number). If you use a platform, add the link or handle instead. In Blank Invoice Maker you can set the currency and put all of this in the notes/payment area, then download a clean PDF — with everything staying in your browser. If you are still setting your terms, the payment terms guide pairs well with this.
Bottom line
For regular cross-border work, a multi-currency / low-margin FX account usually keeps the most money. For occasional or small invoices, convenience may win. Whatever you choose, agree the currency and who pays the fees before you send — that one sentence on the invoice prevents most payment disputes.
About this content
Published by Blank Invoice Maker
Blank Invoice Maker educational content is published by the Blank Invoice Maker Editorial Team. The team writes from hands-on product knowledge and checks each guide against current primary-source references and in-product workflows before publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the cheapest way to get paid by an overseas client?
- For regular work, a low-margin multi-currency FX account usually beats banks and card platforms because it narrows the exchange-rate margin and can avoid double conversion. For one-off small invoices, a convenient platform may be fine despite higher fees.
- Why did I receive less than the invoice total?
- Usually intermediary-bank fees on a SWIFT transfer or an exchange-rate margin. Agree who bears transfer charges before sending, and for SWIFT confirm the charge option so fees are not deducted from your payment.
- Should I invoice in my currency or the client’s?
- If you can receive the client’s currency cheaply (for example via a multi-currency account) and convert on your own terms, that often costs less than letting their bank convert. Otherwise your own currency keeps bookkeeping simple. Agree it up front.
- What payment details go on an international invoice?
- Account name, IBAN, BIC/SWIFT, the currency, and a payment reference (your invoice number) — plus bank name and address if the client’s bank requires it, or your platform link if you use one.