Personal Finance Money transfer

Non-SEPA transfer from France: what is it, how does it work, and what are the fees?

Soufiane Baba
Soufiane Baba
23.09.25
Read time 2 minutes

Do you need to send money from France to China, the United States, or another country outside Europe? In that case, you’ll need to make a non-SEPA transfer through your bank.

This type of transfer can be done online or in a branch, but French banks usually charge high fees. Between sending costs, correspondent bank charges, and exchange rate markups, the total price can easily reach several dozen euros.

Here’s everything you need to know about non-SEPA transfers: definition, how they work, the fees to expect, and a more affordable alternative with providers like Wise.

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Non-SEPA vs SEPA transfers: what’s the difference?

What is a SEPA transfer?

A SEPA transfer is a payment in euros within the SEPA zone (Single Euro Payment Area).

The SEPA zone includes the 27 EU countries plus: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, the Vatican, and the United Kingdom.

SEPA transfers are generally free or very low-cost when sent online and usually arrive within 24 hours. However, the exact conditions depend on your French bank.

What is a non-SEPA transfer?

A non-SEPA transfer is any transfer sent outside the SEPA zone. These payments are usually processed via the SWIFT system, which involves intermediary banks.

  • They can be sent in different currencies.
  • They usually involve higher fees.
  • Processing times are longer than SEPA transfers.

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Types of international transfers

Occasional vs regular transfers

  • Occasional transfer: one-off payments (e.g., sending money to family).
  • Regular transfer: automatic recurring payments (e.g., monthly rent).

Note: In France, recurring transfers are only possible for SEPA payments in euros. Non-SEPA transfers must be made manually each time.

SWIFT transfers

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is the global network used for most non-SEPA transfers.

  • Available in almost any currency.
  • Processing takes several days, depending on the route and intermediary banks.
  • Fees are relatively high and vary by bank, currency, and destination.

Online international transfers

Specialized online providers like Wise offer a cheaper and faster alternative. Transfers are processed online, often using the mid-market exchange rate, which helps reduce costs compared to French banks.

Why non-SEPA transfer fees are so high

French banks rarely show the full cost upfront. Here’s what drives up the price:

  • Channel used: online transfers cost less than branch transfers.
  • Sending fees: fixed fee + percentage of amount.
  • Correspondent bank fees: added when the payment passes through intermediary banks.
  • Exchange rate markup: banks rarely use the mid-market rate and instead add a hidden margin.

Providers like Wise use the mid-market exchange rate, which helps reduce these hidden costs.

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Cost of non-SEPA transfers: comparison of fees

Here’s an example of fees for sending €1,000 in USD online (SHA fee option):

ProviderNon-SEPA Transfer Fees
Banque Postale¹€9.90 (0.10%, min €9.90, max €70)
Crédit Agricole (Central France)²€43 (€24 + 0.06% FX commission, min €19)
Société Générale³€13
Crédit Mutuel (Maine-Anjou, Lower Normandy)⁴€29 (€16 + €13 FX commission)
Wise€6.21

⚠️ These figures don’t include the exchange rate markup applied by banks, whereas Wise converts at the mid-market exchange rate.

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How to make a non-SEPA transfer with a bank in France

Information required

  • Recipient’s full name (sometimes address)
  • Recipient’s IBAN (up to 34 characters)
  • Recipient’s BIC/SWIFT code (8–11 characters)
  • Purpose of transfer (for some countries)

How to proceed

  1. Log in to your French bank account.
  2. Enter the recipient’s details, IBAN/BIC, amount, and currency.
  3. Confirm and validate with your bank’s security steps.

Fee options (who pays what?)

  • SHA – shared fees (sender + recipient split costs)
  • BEN – recipient pays all fees
  • OUR – sender pays all fees

Non-SEPA transfers with Wise

With Wise, you can send money outside SEPA quickly and often at lower cost:

  • Transparent fees: percentage of amount, no hidden extras.
  • Mid-market exchange rate: no markup added.
  • Guaranteed rate for 48 hours: protects against sudden market changes.
  • Local account details: for 8+ currencies, you can obtain local details, making it easier to receive payments.

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Sources:

  1. Banque Postale Fee Schedule
  2. Crédit Agricole Central France
  3. Société Générale Fee Schedule
  4. Crédit Mutuel Maine-Anjou / Lower Normandy

Last verified on April 29, 2025.

This article is a translation of the original article published in French and was translated within 365 days of publication. While the content has been translated for accessibility, the data and sources referenced have not been updated since the original publication date.

*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.

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