An international wire transfer is a convenient way to send money outside the US – but the costs can add up. In our guide, we take a look at how to avoid international wire transfer fees, including exactly how much wire transfers cost and how to save money on global payments. We’ll also look at Wise vs international bank transfers . Use your Wise account to send stress-free worldwide payments without exchange rate markups at just the touch of a button. What are the fees for international wire transfers? International wire transfer fees by US bank How to avoid international wire transfer fees Make low cost international transfers with Wise International wire transfer fees FAQs Sending over $70,000? Pay from just 0.12% in fees on your first large transfer. T&Cs apply. New Personal accounts opened within the last 90 days. What are the fees for international wire transfers? An international wire transfer is a secure, fast, and convenient way to send large payments abroad electronically. However, you may need to pay a fee for your wire transfer – and international wire transfers often cost more than domestic ones. Let’s take a closer look. Average international wire transfer fees So, exactly how much does an international wire transfer cost? You’ll typically pay a flat fee to your bank or international money transfer provider to send a wire transfer. An outgoing international wire transfer can cost anything from around 5 USD to 75 USD , depending on your bank. Some banks may also charge a fee for you to accept an incoming international transfer – and this typically costs up to 25 USD . In some cases, you may even get your wire transfer for free. It all depends on your provider. Intermediary bank fees You’ll also need to think about intermediary bank fees. Every time your international wire goes through another bank, that provider may charge an extra processing fee. This is pretty common with international payments – and your recipient’s bank may also charge an additional fee for facilitating your wire. Exchange rate markups An exchange rate markup is an added margin on the mid-market exchange rate . This is the standard rate, but many banks add an extra charge to make money from your transaction. Some banks will waive your outgoing wire transfer fee if you send funds in a foreign currency. However, if you have a USD bank account, your provider may charge a fee to exchange your money into a foreign currency. For example, Wells Fargo makes a profit when you convert from one currency to another. They set their own exchange rate, including a markup.¹ International wire transfer fees by US bank The price of your outgoing or incoming international wire transfer may depend on a few different factors, such as your bank, payment currency, and where you want to send your transfer. Let’s take a look at how much it costs to send and receive a global wire transfer with many popular US banking providers. 40 USD per online transfer in USD⁶ 0 USD for online transfers over 5,000 USD 35 USD per online transfer in USD⁷ 20 USD currency exchange fee applied by the intermediary bank 40 USD per transfer in USD¹² $25 per digital wire in USD / $0 per digital wire in foreign currency¹ How to avoid international wire transfer fees Sending a wire transfer overseas can be expensive. Let’s take a look at how to avoid wire transfer fees for big international payments. Research exchange rates If you’re sending your wire transfer in a foreign currency, make sure to research exchange rates. Every provider will offer a slightly different exchange rate for currency conversions, so look out for one that’s close to the standard mid-market rate to avoid a markup on your money. The true cost of sending USD to GBP Remember that exchange rates fluctuate depending on when you send your transfer, so it might be worth tracking your bank’s rate to see if anything changes. Look for discounts and offers Some banks offer discounts and offers if you meet certain conditions, such as a wire transfer limit . For example, Chase offers free international wire transfers if you send 5000 USD or more online in a foreign currency.⁶ For this reason, it may also work out cheaper if you make one big payment, instead of lots of little ones. Many providers may also offer a special promotion if you switch over to their services – or if this is your first international wire transfer. Consider all your options before sending money abroad. Send your transfer online Many US banks charge less for online wire transfers, as these payments don’t cost as much to process. Try sending your transfer via online banking or your bank’s mobile app. For example, providers like Citibank or Wells Fargo waive their outgoing transfer fee for online wires in a foreign currency. Choose an alternative payment method Before you make an international wire transfer , consider choosing a different payment method. You could send an international ACH transfer to your recipient. This is an electronic bank transfer, like a direct deposit. It’s easy to set up an ACH, but many banks limit how much you can send. Peer-to-peer apps like Wise can also help you make fast transfers abroad without expensive foreign transaction fees. Open a foreign currency account If you send regular international wire transfers in a foreign currency, such as CAD, GBP, or EUR, why not open an account in that currency? This could help you avoid exchange rate charges, but you’ll need to do your research, as some banks don’t offer multi-currency accounts. Make low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise . Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app on iOS and Android , and send money to 160+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees. Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site. If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose. Get started with Wise Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information International wire transfer fees FAQs What is the best way to avoid international transaction fees? Make sure to research your options before sending your wire transfer. Look for the best exchange rate, read your bank’s fine print, and open a foreign currency account to avoid added charges. If you want to avoid a hefty wire transfer fee , you’ll need to shop around before choosing your wire transfer provider. Which bank doesn't charge international transaction fees? There are a few banks with no international wire transfer fees. HSBC US doesn’t charge for incoming or outgoing wires, but intermediary bank fees may apply. Other providers may not charge international bank transfer fees if you meet their criteria, such as paying by digital banking or transferring in a foreign currency. Which bank has the lowest international wire transfer fee? Some banks offer international wire transfers at a low cost. For example, PNC Bank and Chase only charge 5 USD for foreign currency wire transfers. You can accept an incoming international wire transfer from Charles Schwab for free – and you can send free wire transfers with Citibank and Wells Fargo if you use a foreign currency. However, even if you don’t pay a flat fee for your transaction, you may still pay an exchange rate markup to convert your dollars into a foreign currency. Paying by wire transfer is an easy way to send large payments abroad. However, you’ll need to consider the cost of your transfer, including currency conversion charges and bank fees. Avoid international wire transfer fees by doing your research in advance. Look into your bank’s exchange rates or choose a transparent peer-to-peer transfer platform. To start sending international wires and global transfers to over 160 countries – all at the mid-market exchange rate – check out Wise . 🚀 Start saving on international transfers Wells Fargo - Digital wires FAQs Bank of America - Additional fees Capital One - Send and receive a wire transfer Capital One - Wire transfer support Charles Schwab - Pricing guide Chase - Wires and money orders Citibank - Online wire transfer services Discover - Wire transfer FAQs HSBC US - Online wire transfers Huntington - Other services from Huntington Navy Federal - Money transfers PNC - Wire and money transfers Regions Bank - Additional services and fees TD Bank - Personal fee schedule Truist - Wire transfer services USAA - Wire transfers USAA - How to send an international wire transfer US Bank - How much does a wire transfer cost? Sources checked 03.30.2026 *Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information. This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date. Money without borders How to pay a mortgage abroad from the US with Wise Learn how to pay your mortgage abroad from the US with Wise: steps by step guide for setting up your transfer to handling larger payments. 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