US Bank international wire transfer: Fees, limits & transfer time

Adam Rozsa

It is possible to do international wire transfers with US Bank: however, one catch is that you must visit a US Bank branch to send money internationally with them.

This guide will take you through US bank’s international wire transfer process, telling you about the most important information regarding the topic.

If you’d like to save money on international wire transfers and also save the trouble of going to a bank in person, try a Wise Account – but more on this, later.


avoid-big-transfer-costs


How much does U.S. Bank charge for international transfers?

Sending a US bank wire transfer internationally comes with a fee – there isn’t a way to do one for free.

The fee will vary depending on what country you’re sending to, your particular type of account, and the terms and conditions of your transfer.

US Bank International wire transfer fees table

Fees for international wire transfers at US Bank are:

US Bank international transferRegular fees¹
Incoming international transfer$25 per transfer
Outgoing international transfer$50 per transfer

US Bank exchange rates

International transfers often involve the use of the SWIFT transfer system, which means the money may go through intermediary banks before reaching the recipient. These intermediaries charge fees, resulting in the recipient receiving less money. More intermediary banks mean higher expenses, as they may apply marked-up exchange rates instead of the mid-market rate.

While US Bank does not provide daily exchange rates online, but they mention the following:

Foreign-denominated funds are subject to foreign currency exchange risk. Customers are not protected against foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations by FDIC insurance, or any other insurance or guaranty program.²

For more specific information about your transfer, we suggest that you contact US Bank.

A cheap and transparent alternative: Wise

If you’re looking for alternatives to the international wire transfer process, look into Wise.

It’s an online money transfer service that makes sending money across borders a breeze, plus it may be cheaper than using a bank.

At Wise, we never hide extra fees and charges in the exchange rate. We just use the mid-market exchange rate. That means fair, cheap money transfers, every time.


A quick example.

A theoretical online bank transfer sending $1000 from the US to a pound sterling bank account in the UK.

ProviderFee¹Exchange RateTotal Cost
US Bank (USA)$50Exchange rate + markup$50 + exchange rate markup + likely fees from intermediary and recipient banks
Wise$6.93Mid-market exchange rate - the same one you find on Google$6.93 (via ACH)
Fees as of 05/25/2023

It seems that US Bank’s fees may be higher.

To make sure you know what you’re getting before you commit, compare the exchange rate with an online currency converter. This way, you can find out how much your international transfer is really costing you.

Get a Wise Account today

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.


How do you make an international wire transfer with US Bank?

Through US Bank, you can only make an international wire transfer in person. Visit your local branch and a teller will guide you through the process.⁴

What do I need to make an international money transfer?

To make an international wire transfer, step into your local branch with the following information:⁵

  • The reason you’re sending the payment
  • Your name, phone number, address, and relationship to the recipient
  • Your US Bank account number
  • Your photo ID number
  • The amount of the transfer and the currency you’d like it to arrive in
  • The destination country
  • The recipient’s name, address, and country
  • The recipient’s account number and SWIFT/BIC, IBAN, CLABE, or BSB number
  • The recipient’s bank name and address

What do I need to receive an international bank transfer?

To receive money into your US Bank account, you will need the following information:⁶

  • Your full name as it appears on your account
  • Your account number
  • Domestic wires: your routing number. Find your US Bank routing number
  • International wires: the Swift Code - USBKUS44IMT

How long does an international bank transfer with US Bank take?

How long does it take to arrive to the destination account?

Domestic transfers through US Bank have a same-day guarantee, but international wire transfers may not have the same assurance. The duration of international wires is not specified by US Bank, but on average, transfers conducted via SWIFT take 1-3 business days⁷.

What are the different payment methods, and how long do those take?

The only direct way to transfer money from your account to a foreign account is through international wire transfer, which you initiate in person. US Bank does not guarantee any transfer times for international wire transfers.⁷

Does the transfer time vary by destination?

US Bank doesn’t guarantee any international wire transfer times, but it’s possible for international wire transfers to take longer than the average 1-3 business days to reach some countries.

What are US Bank’s transfer limits?

While US Bank do not disclose the exact wire transfer limits, you can check them in your US Bank account. There are to ways to do so:

Via online banking

  • Go to Transfers, then select External transfers and wires.
  • Choose Send a wire transfer and select the accounts to transfer money from.
  • Under the amount to send, click View all dollar limits to see incoming and outgoing transfer limits.

Using their US Bank mobile app

  • Select Pay bills & transfer, then External transfers, wires & ACH.
  • Choose Send a wire and select the PAY FROM account to transfer money from.
  • Under the amount to send, tap View all dollar limits (in blue) to view incoming and outgoing transfer limits. a

Contact / Help - More questions around your transfer?

Wire transfers may not always be straightforward. Refer to this guide as your US Bank wire transfer resource, and understand all your options.

💡 If you’re looking for an easy online solution for sending money abroad, don’t forget to check out Wise.

Learn more about Wise

💡 You can also open a Wise Business account to manage local and international business transfers.

Some key features of Wise Business include:
  • Better visibility and organization of business finances. This is helpful for account reconciliations and audits
  • Major local account details for a simple one-off fee to receive international payments with ease
  • No monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements
  • Receive payments from e-commerce platforms such as Amazon or via Stripe
  • Create invoices using the free Wise invoice generator or invoice templates
  • Accounting integrations, including a QuickBooks Bill Pay connection
  • Batch payment options. Fast payment of up to 1,000 people

Discover the difference between
Wise Business vs Personal


Sources:
  1. Consumer Pricing Information (Page 5)
  2. International electronic payments for businesses
  3. US Bank additional fees (Page 2)
  4. How do I send a wire transfer?
  5. US Bank wire transfer details (Page 1)
  6. How do I receive a wire transfer?
  7. US Bank wire transfer times

All sources checked 25 May 2023


*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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