How to get paid from a US marketplace to a Singapore bank account
Last updated: 9 Dec 2025
Receiving payments from a US marketplace to your Singapore bank shouldn’t be complicated. You’ve already done the hard work: listing products, managing fulfilment and building a global brand. Getting paid should be the easy part.
But for many Singapore-based sellers delayed transfers, hidden FX mark-ups and confusing account setups can quietly drain your margins.
This guide helps Singapore-based e-commerce businesses and exporters who receive payments from US marketplaces. You’ll learn how to transfer funds from a US marketplace to a Singapore bank account efficiently, hold and convert USD on your terms and manage settlements with complete visibility and control.
Key takeaways:
- Cross-border payouts can drain margins: Receiving funds from US marketplaces through SWIFT often means delays, hidden fees and poor FX rates that reduce your earnings
- Traditional banks limit flexibility: Many Singapore banks automatically convert USD to SGD, preventing you from choosing the best exchange rate
- Multi-currency accounts give you control: Holding and converting funds on your own terms helps you manage cash flow, protect margins and improve visibility
- WorldFirst makes it simple: The WorldFirst World Account lets you collect USD directly, convert when it suits you and withdraw to your Singapore bank quickly and transparently
Open your World Account now and take control of every payout from a US marketplace to your Singapore bank.
Understanding how US marketplace payouts work
Expanding into the US marketplaces unlocks access to huge buyer pools. However, to optimisze your cash flow and reduce risk, it’s essential to understand how payout cycles, currencies and routing systems function.
How marketplace payment cycles differ
Each marketplace follows its own cadence for releasing funds. For example, Amazon typically pays sellers every 14 days, with each cycle covering cleared orders and refunds.
Even with faster schedules, international transfers can still take 1–3 additional business days to clear. For high-volume sellers, this lag can tie up working capital at critical moments.
Payout routing: ACH vs SWIFT
Most US marketplaces release payments through ACH transfers within the United States – fast and inexpensive for domestic recipients.
When payouts are sent to Singapore, they usually route through SWIFT, which adds intermediary banks, slows processing (often 3–5 days) and may result in deductions along the way. What starts as a straightforward USD payout can shrink before it arrives, especially if your bank converts automatically to SGD.
Account matching and compliance
Marketplaces verify that the receiving account name and business entity match the registered seller profile. Any mismatch, even a minor formatting issue, can cause delays or rejected transfers.
For Singapore sellers using local banks or third-party collection accounts, precise alignment ensures smooth, uninterrupted payouts.
Why does receiving payments from the US marketplaces to a Singapore bank account pose a challenge?
Cross-border e-commerce now accounts for around 55% of Singapore’s total online retail sales, underscoring how integral overseas demand has become to local growth. Yet when it comes to getting paid, the process remains complicated.
Here are the critical pain points most Singapore sellers face when receiving funds from US marketplaces to Singapore bank accounts:
1. Multi-currency complications
Most Singapore banks are still structured around domestic currency flows. While some offer USD accounts, the setup process can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring separate documentation and higher minimum balances.
As a result, many businesses receive automatic conversions to SGD whenever USD is received. These conversions usually give you fewer Singapore dollars per US dollars, directly reducing your overall return on each payout.
2. Conversion risk and hidden costs
Foreign exchange costs are rarely transparent. Banks often apply wide spreads between the market rate and the rate they offer, sometimes charging intermediary fees on top.
As of October 2025, the benchmark USD/SGD spot rate is around 1 USD = 1.2985 SGD. Yet many Singapore businesses receive a rate closer to 1 USD = 1.27 SGD after fees and spreads. That small gap can equal thousands in lost value each year for exporters and high-volume marketplace sellers.
3. Time delays and routing complexity
US marketplace payments typically move through the American banking network before reaching Singapore via international SWIFT channels. Each intermediary involved can introduce additional fees and hold periods.
Traditional cross-border transfers take an average of three to five business days to settle, which restricts working-capital availability and slows operational agility.
4. Reconciliation and visibility issues
For businesses selling across multiple platforms and regions, tracking payments can quickly become a manual and fragmented process. Around 36% of Singapore SMEs report issues with cross-border transactions.
Payouts often arrive in different currencies and at irregular intervals, making it challenging to maintain accurate records or forecast future inflows.
Limited transparency over incoming funds also increases the administrative burden on finance teams, who must reconcile multiple statements and conversions to maintain a clear picture of available liquidity.
- Open 20+ local currency accounts and get paid like a local
- Pay suppliers, partners and staff worldwide in 100+ currencies
- Collect payments for free from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Etsy, PayPal and Shopify
- Save with competitive exchange rates on currency conversions and transfers
- Lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months for cash flow certainty
Why a multi-currency account is the solution that changes everything
Once you understand where traditional payout systems fall short, the value of a modern multi-currency solution becomes clear.
Instead of relying on slow and costly international transfers, you can collect funds locally, hold multiple currencies in one account and decide when and how to convert them.
Local-style receiving accounts instead of international transfers
Traditional SWIFT payments often pass through several intermediary banks, which adds both time and cost to every transaction.
A multi-currency account provides local-style receiving details, such as a US bank account number and routing code, so that US marketplaces can pay you domestically. Funds reach you faster, with fewer deductions and without forced conversion to SGD.
Full control over conversions
Holding balances in multiple currencies gives you the freedom to decide when to exchange funds.
Instead of accepting automatic conversion at the bank’s rate, you can track market conditions and convert when the exchange rate benefits your business. For sellers with regular USD inflows and SGD expenses, this flexibility helps protect margins and supports better cash flow planning.
Transparent costs and faster access to funds
A unified platform removes the hidden fees that often accompany traditional cross-border payments.
You see your FX rates upfront, manage conversions directly and withdraw to your Singapore bank account whenever needed. This provides faster liquidity, more precise forecasting and complete visibility across your global earnings in one place.
What a multi-currency business account gives you (and why it matters)
A multi-currency business account, such as the World Account by WorldFirst, reshapes how international sellers manage their cash flow.
Instead of relying on multiple banks and paying high FX fees, you can collect, hold, convert and withdraw funds in one secure platform. The result is faster settlements, lower costs and complete control over every transaction.
Here is how it works:
A complete infrastructure for global collections
WorldFirst gives Singapore-based businesses local-style receiving accounts in 20+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR and AUD. You can receive marketplace payouts and client payments as if your business were operating locally in those regions.
Funds arrive faster and without unnecessary conversions into SGD, helping you preserve your margins and improve liquidity.
Freedom to hold, convert and manage strategically
With WorldFirst, you can hold foreign currency balances and convert them when the rate is in your favour.
You control the timing, track live exchange rates directly in your dashboard and execute conversions instantly. This flexibility helps you avoid unfavourable FX rates and maintain stronger visibility over profit and cash flow. You can even target an exchange rate and your transfer will trigger as soon as the rate is reached, so you don’t have to constantly watch the market.
Global payments made simple
Your World Account also enables you to pay suppliers, partners and freelancers in 100+ currencies from the same platform.
You can manage all your international payables in one place while reducing FX exposure and avoiding costly multi-bank transfers.
Seamless withdrawals to your Singapore bank
When you are ready to bring funds home, you can withdraw directly to your Singapore bank account in either SGD or USD, depending on your needs. This ensures quick access to funds for payroll, supplier payments and other local operations.
Transparency and control at every step
WorldFirst provides clear visibility into rates, fees and balances at all times. You can monitor global inflows and outflows, reconcile faster and manage every marketplace payout through a single dashboard.
Step-by-step: How to get paid from a US marketplace into your Singapore bank account via WorldFirst
Managing marketplace payouts should feel seamless, not stressful. Follow this step-by-step process to get paid efficiently:
1. Open your World Account
Start by registering your business with WorldFirst Singapore. The process is fast, free and built around your business needs. Once your account is verified, you can access your multi-currency dashboard to generate receiving account details in USD and more than 20 other currencies.
2. Create your USD receiving account
Within your dashboard, open a USD receiving account with local-style account details issued by WorldFirst’s global banking partners. WorldFirst provides account details that let US marketplaces and payment gateways send payouts to you as if they were making a local transfer, eliminating the need for multiple bank relationships.
3. Update your marketplace payout settings
Log in to your US marketplace’s payout or bank account settings section and enter the USD receiving details provided by WorldFirst. Make sure your business name and payee information match exactly between your marketplace profile and your World Account to prevent verification issues or payout delays.
4. Receive USD payouts into your World Account
Once your payout settings are updated, your US marketplace will begin sending settlements directly to your World Account. Funds are credited to your USD receiving balance rather than automatically converted to SGD.
5. Manage and convert your funds strategically
You can hold your USD balance within the World Account for as long as needed. Monitor real-time FX rates in your dashboard and convert to SGD whenever the exchange rate aligns with your business goals.
6. Withdraw to your Singapore bank account
When ready, transfer funds from your World Account to your linked Singapore bank account. You can withdraw in SGD after conversion or in USD if your bank supports foreign-currency deposits. Always ensure your bank connection is confirmed and review any applicable transfer timelines or fees before initiating withdrawals.
7. Reconcile and track your transactions
Use your World Account dashboard to keep a clear overview of your incoming payouts, currency balances, conversions and withdrawals. All transactions are recorded in real time, helping you reconcile accounts easily and maintain accurate financial records for accounting or audit purposes.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Even experienced sellers can lose time or profit through small but costly mistakes. Here are the most common issues and how to prevent them:
- Incorrect receiving account details: Verify that your business name, account number and receiving details in your US marketplace settings exactly match those in your World Account. A single mismatch can delay or block payouts
- Converting too early at poor FX rates: Avoid automatic conversion into SGD the moment funds arrive. Hold USD in your World Account and convert only when the exchange rate is favourable
- Overlooking hidden bank or transfer fees: Intermediary or correspondent banks may deduct charges before funds reach your account. Collect payouts through a WorldFirst receiving account to reduce these deductions and improve transparency
- Linking your Singapore bank account incorrectly: Ensure your local bank account supports the currency you plan to withdraw (SGD or USD) and confirm all details in your World Account dashboard to avoid rejected transfers
- Timing conversions or withdrawals poorly: Monitor live FX rates within your dashboard and plan conversions strategically. Align currency exchanges with your cash flow needs to protect margins and maintain liquidity
- Neglecting bookkeeping and reconciliation: Use your World Account transaction history to track payouts, conversions and withdrawals. Export data to your accounting software regularly to maintain clear records and accurate forecasts
Why WorldFirst is the smart way to get paid from a US marketplace to your Singapore bank
Getting paid from a US marketplace to a Singapore bank no longer needs to involve delays, hidden FX costs or complex bank setups. With the World Account by WorldFirst, you can collect USD like a local, hold multiple currencies in one place and convert funds when it benefits your business.
WorldFirst gives you complete visibility and control over every stage of your global cash flow. You can track real-time balances, monitor FX rates and transfer funds to your Singapore bank quickly and securely. Every transaction is transparent, every conversion is on your terms and every payout lands where and when you need it.
Start collecting USD like a local.
Open your World Account today and experience how easy it can be to move funds from a US marketplace to Singapore bank with confidence, clarity and control.
Sources:
- https://www.newshubasia.com/business-finance/cross-border-e-commerce-surges-across-asia-digital-platforms-drive-regional-trade-revolution/
- https://www.fred.stlouisfed.org/series/DEXSIUS
- https://www.exchange-rates.org/exchange-rate-history/usd-sgd-2025-10-28
- https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-global/ship-with-dhl/shipping-guides-by-country/country-guide-singapore.html
- https://www.accio.com/business/e_commerce_in_singapore_statistics_and_trend
- https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/product/collect/get-paid-by-marketplaces
- https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/
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