B2B Cross Border Payments: A Simple Guide for UK Businesses

B2B cross-border payments let businesses pay suppliers, contractors, platforms and other companies in different countries. The payment may involve a currency conversion, an international banking network or a local payment rail, depending on where the businesses are based, which currencies they use and what information the recipient's bank requires.

In this guide, we've explained B2B cross-border payments in detail, so you can understand the payment rails involved, the risks and the costs, and choose the right setup for your company.

We've also explained how a Wise Business account can help you avoid hidden currency exchange mark-ups, get paid like a local in 40+ currencies, and manage global cashflow more confidently.

Key takeaways

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What are B2B cross-border payments?

B2B cross-border payments are financial transactions between businesses in different countries. They can be used to pay an overseas manufacturer, settle a software invoice, pay an international contractor, receive money from a customer or marketplace, or move funds between entities in a group.

The payment does not always need to be sent in the same currency as the payer's bank account. For example, a UK retailer might pay a supplier in USD from GBP, while a UK consultancy might invoice a client in EUR and later convert the money into GBP. The currencies, payment details and route affect the final cost and arrival time.

How do B2B cross-border payments work?

Most payments follow a process similar to this:

1. The supplier or customer issues an invoice. The invoice should state the legal entities, amount, currency, due date, bank details and payment reference.
2. The payer selects a payment method. The business may use its bank, a card, an accounts-payable platform or a specialist international payment provider.
3. The business checks the beneficiary details. Depending on the destination, these may include an IBAN, account number, sort code, routing number, SWIFT/BIC, beneficiary address and bank address.
4. The payer funds the payment and converts currency if required. The provider may convert the money before sending it, or the payer may first convert and hold the recipient's currency.
5. The payment is screened and routed. The bank or payment provider may carry out identity, anti-money-laundering, sanctions and fraud checks. The money may then move through a local clearing system, a card network or one or more correspondent banks.
6. The recipient's bank credits the money. The recipient may receive the full amount, or a lower amount if charges are deducted under the route or fee arrangement.
7. Both businesses reconcile the transaction. The payer matches the outgoing payment to the invoice, while the recipient matches the incoming amount to its receivable.

The process can be quick when a provider uses local payment infrastructure and the payment information is complete. It can take longer when the route involves several banks, a less commonly traded currency, a weekend or public holiday, or a manual compliance review.

What are the main ways to make a B2B international payment?

Bank transfers and SWIFT payments

Traditional banks can send international payments through SWIFT and correspondent-banking relationships. This route is familiar and can be suitable for high-value payments, countries with limited alternative infrastructure, trade-finance arrangements or businesses that need to work within an existing bank relationship.

However, a SWIFT message is not the same thing as money travelling directly from one bank to another. Correspondent banks may be involved in the chain, and each route can have its own fees, cut-off times, currency requirements and investigation process.

Local account-to-account payment rails

Some international payment providers use local accounts and domestic payment networks where available. A payment may therefore be collected in one country and paid out through a local route in another. SEPA can be relevant for qualifying euro payments within its coverage area, while local systems apply in other currencies and countries.

This approach can reduce the number of intermediaries, but it does not mean every payment is domestic or instant. Availability depends on the provider, currency, destination, recipient details and compliance checks.

Cards and virtual cards

Cards can be useful for online purchases, travel, subscriptions and suppliers that accept card payments. They can give the business additional controls, such as spending limits, merchant restrictions and transaction records.

Cards are not always the best option for a large invoice. The merchant may apply a card surcharge, the card network may use a different exchange rate, and a supplier may prefer a bank payment. Compare the total cost and the protections relevant to the purchase before choosing a card.

Specialist international payment platforms

Specialist providers may combine multi-currency balances, local account details, currency conversion, batch payments, payment approvals, accounting connections and transfer tracking. These platforms can be useful when a business makes regular payments to several countries and wants a repeatable process rather than a separate manual bank transfer for each invoice.

They are not identical. Check which currencies and destinations are supported, how the payment is funded, whether the recipient receives local currency, what happens when a payment is held for review and how the provider is regulated in the UK.

What makes B2B cross-border payments difficult?

Fees are spread across the transaction

The stated transfer fee is only one possible cost. A business may also pay through the exchange rate, an intermediary-bank charge, a receiving-bank fee or a card surcharge. A provider that appears cheaper on the transfer fee can still deliver less value if its exchange-rate margin is higher.

Ask for the total amount the recipient will receive and record the exchange rate and fees shown before approval. For regular payments, compare a representative transaction rather than relying on a generic pricing page.

Delivery times are route-dependent

Payment estimates vary by currency, destination, funding method, bank opening hours, holidays, compliance checks and whether the provider can use local rails. A same-day estimate is not a guarantee that every payment will arrive the same day.

Build a buffer around supplier due dates and keep evidence of the delivery estimate. If a payment is urgent, confirm the route and cut-off time with the provider before sending it.

Currency movements change the final cost

If a business invoices in one currency but pays costs in another, the exchange rate can affect its margin. A clear policy should state which currency is used for pricing, who bears conversion costs and when a conversion is approved.

For larger or recurring payments, finance teams may consider holding a balance in the currency they regularly use or discussing risk-management products with an appropriately authorised provider. Do not assume that a favourable rate today will still be available when an invoice falls due.

Payment information can be inconsistent

Different countries use different combinations of account numbers, routing codes, IBANs, SWIFT/BIC codes, bank addresses and beneficiary information. A missing or incorrect field can cause a payment to fail, be returned or require an investigation.

Keep a controlled beneficiary record, verify changes through a trusted channel and use a consistent invoice reference. Treat an unexpected change to bank details as a fraud risk, especially when it arrives by email shortly before payment.

Compliance checks can delay a legitimate payment

International payments may be checked for identity, sanctions, fraud, money laundering, source of funds and the purpose of the payment. These checks protect businesses and the wider payment system, but they can delay a transaction when information is missing or the payment needs manual review.

Give the provider accurate information about the business and beneficiary, answer requests promptly and avoid splitting payments simply to try to avoid a review. If a payment is held, contact the provider through its official support channel rather than sending a replacement payment without understanding what happened.

Bank versus specialist payment provider: which is better?

There is no single best route for every B2B payment. Use the business's payment pattern to decide.

Some businesses use both. A bank may remain appropriate for certain high-value or specialist payments, while a multi-currency platform handles routine supplier, contractor or customer flows.

How can a UK business reduce the cost of international payments?

Use this process for each important payment route:

1. Compare the total recipient amount. Record the rate, transfer fee and any stated recipient or intermediary charges.
2. Pay in the agreed currency. Confirm whether the contract requires the supplier to receive GBP, EUR, USD or another currency.
3. Avoid unnecessary conversions. If the business regularly receives and pays in the same foreign currency, consider whether holding that currency could reduce repeated conversions.
4. Group routine payments carefully. Batch payments can save admin time, but check that each recipient, currency and invoice reference is correct before approval.
5. Use approvals for higher-risk payments. Separate the person who prepares a payment from the person who approves it where the business's controls allow.
6. Review the route after settlement. Compare the amount sent, the amount received, the delivery time and the actual fees against the estimate.
7. Reassess providers when volumes change. A route that works for occasional payments may not be the best fit for daily supplier payments, marketplace payouts or expanding international operations.

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For more details on the wider payment process, read our guide to the cross-border payment process.

If you are comparing payment methods more broadly, our guide to global payment methods covers other ways that businesses and customers can move money.

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What should a B2B cross-border payment checklist include?

Before sending a payment, check:

• the beneficiary's legal name and account details;
• the destination country and payment currency;
• the invoice number and payment reference;
• the amount the recipient is expected to receive;
• the exchange rate, fees and estimated arrival time;
• whether the payment needs an approval or second-person review;
• whether the payment information was independently verified;
• whether the provider has requested information for a compliance review; and
• how the transaction will be recorded and reconciled after settlement.

Keep the invoice, approval record, payment confirmation and any communication about exceptions together. That creates a clearer audit trail and makes it easier to investigate a late, rejected or disputed payment.

How does Wise Business simplify the payment side of global trade?

With Wise Business, the payment side of global trade becomes easier to manage as you can receive money using local account details in 8+ currencies, hold money in 40+ currencies, and convert between currencies when an invoice or supplier payment is due to make the payment.

For businesses paying overseas suppliers, contractors or other partners regularly, the batch payments tool lets you create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer. Seeing the fee, exchange rate and estimated arrival time before sending makes each payment easier to approve and budget for.

Moreover, the ability to connect your favourite accounting software to Wise Business can reduce re-keying when the payment needs to be reconciled.

Together, these features turn fragmented international payment admin into a more repeatable workflow for receiving, converting, paying and recording money across borders.

Discover Wise Business

Wise Business offers a free Essential plan for basic spending and transferring. If you need to receive money, set up direct debits, or generate invoices, you'll pay a one-time £50 setup fee to unlock the Advanced features.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 70+ countries and pay overseas invoices at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation. See full cashback terms and conditions
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn variable returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative.)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.

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Wise Interest disclaimer: Growth not guaranteed. Your balance will go down in the event of a government default or interest rates going negative. Taxes may apply. 3.32% variable rate on GBP is based on 7 day performance as of 05 Aug 2026. For full 5-year past performance and fund information, visit https://wise.com/interest. Investments are offered by Wise Assets UK Ltd. (FRN 839689)

FAQs

What is the difference between a B2B cross-border payment and a personal international transfer?

A B2B cross-border payment is made between businesses and is normally connected to a commercial purpose such as an invoice, supplier payment, contractor payment, customer receipt or intercompany transfer. It may need more detailed beneficiary, business and purpose information than a personal transfer, and it should be recorded in the business's accounting and payment-control process.

How long do B2B cross-border payments take?

There is no universal delivery time. It depends on the currencies, destination, provider, funding method, route, cut-off times, weekends, public holidays and compliance checks. Read the provider's estimate for the specific payment and leave a buffer before a supplier due date.

What information is needed for a B2B international payment?

You may need the beneficiary's legal name, account number, IBAN, SWIFT/BIC, local routing code, bank name, bank address, beneficiary address, payment currency, amount and reference. The exact requirements vary by destination and route.

How can businesses protect themselves from payment fraud?

Use a controlled beneficiary process, verify new or changed bank details through a trusted independent channel, require a second-person review for higher-risk payments and keep the invoice and approval evidence. Do not rely on an email address alone to confirm a change to payment instructions.

Are international payment platforms suitable for every business?

No. Compare the provider's supported currencies, destinations, limits, account protections, onboarding requirements, payment route, fees, service model and integrations with the business's needs. A bank or specialist treasury provider may be more appropriate for some corridors or large-value transactions.

Sources:

1. Cross-border B2B payments: A guide for businesses
2. B2B Cross Border Payments Guide
3. Understanding B2B Cross-Border Payments
4. B2B cross-border payments: solutions and trends 2026
5. Send business payments across the globe
6. Fees for making payments
7. Global payment methods

Sources last checked on 2 September 2026