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How to send international payments: 6 options for businesses

Last update: July 14, 2025

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Sending money across borders is still harder than it should be – slow, expensive and often frustrating.

Whether you’re paying a supplier in Shenzhen, withdrawing earnings from Amazon USA, or sending funds to a freelancer team in Europe, you’ve probably run into the same issues:

Transfers that take three to six days, especially when routed via SWIFT
Unpredictable FX rates and hidden fees that eat into your margins
Difficulties opening local bank accounts, especially in the US or China
Clunky, manual processes with little visibility on fees or timelines

And yet, international payments are at the heart of how global business happens today. As such, you want to send and receive money across borders as easily as you move it locally – in a way that’s fast, affordable and in the right currency.

In this article, we’re exploring:

Six common methods to send international payments (and how they compare)
- Multi-currency accounts
- Traditional bank transfers
- SEPA transfers
- Online money transfer platforms
- Remittance services
- Cards and wallets
How WorldFirst helps you trade internationally
How Glamour Empire used WorldFirst to make international payments across Europe

Get started with a WorldFirst account. Open your multi-currency account for free now and start collecting, converting and paying like a local.

6 common methods to send international payments (and how they compare)

There’s no shortage of ways to move money across borders. Some are built for speed, others convenience, and some were never built for modern business at all.

Here are six of the most common options, with their pros, cons and who they’re best suited for:

1. Multi-currency accounts (like WorldFirst)

When you’re running an international business, juggling different currencies can quickly become a logistical headache. A multi-currency business account simplifies that.

Instead of needing separate bank accounts in every country you sell to (which often requires local residency or a business entity), you can use one platform to hold, pay and receive in multiple currencies – all under one login.

With WorldFirst for example, you can:

Hold balances in 20+ currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, RMB, AUD and SGD
Get local bank details (e.g. a US routing number)
Avoid conversion fees when paying in local currency
Ideal for e-commerce sellers needing to collect and pay globally

This makes it easier for customers, partners and marketplaces to pay you at domestic rates and without third-party fees. It’s especially useful if you’re selling on global marketplaces, sourcing from international suppliers or expanding into new markets.

Why it matters: Multi-currency accounts aren’t just about convenience. They can save your business time, reduce your costs and make it much easier to scale internationally without the complexity of setting up in each new market.

Best for: SMEs, marketplace sellers and digital businesses scaling across borders.

2. Traditional bank transfers (via SWIFT)

Before modern alternatives came along, the SWIFT network was the gold standard for sending money across borders – and for many banks, it still is.

SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a global messaging system used by over 11,000 financial institutions to securely communicate payment instructions. When you send a payment via SWIFT, your money doesn’t go directly to the recipient’s account. Instead, it may pass through a chain of intermediary banks, particularly if the sending and receiving banks don’t have a direct relationship.

Why it’s still used:

Trusted for large-value transfers: SWIFT is seen as a secure, regulated infrastructure for international money transfers – which is why it’s preferred by traditional institutions for sending large sums, especially in highly regulated sectors like finance, legal and government
Global coverage: You can technically send money to almost any bank account in the world as long as it’s SWIFT enabled

But there are some major trade-offs:

Speed: Payments can take 3–6 working days to clear and longer if they’re flagged for compliance checks or routed through multiple banks
Cost: You’ll often get hefty fees, a less competitive FX rate and may even be hit by deductions from intermediary banks, which sometimes take a cut
Lack of transparency: Because of the number of banks involved, it’s often impossible to see the exact fees upfront or know exactly how much will arrive – making cash flow much harder to predict

Best for: Large corporates with longstanding bank relationships, or businesses in regulated industries where compliance and established financial controls are prioritised over speed and cost.

3. SEPA transfers (Eurozone only)

If you’re sending or receiving money in euros within Europe, SEPA payments are often your most efficient option.

SEPA stands for Single Euro Payments Area. It’s an EU-led initiative that simplifies cross-border euro payments between EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA) and a few non-EU countries like Switzerland and the UK. It essentially treats all euro transactions within this area as domestic payments, meaning they follow the same format, speed and pricing – regardless of which country the sender or recipient is based in.

Where SWIFT is a global messaging system used to move money between banks worldwide – with long settlement times and high fees – SEPA is a regional payment scheme specifically built for euro transactions in Europe. It uses local banking rails and standardised data formats to make payments cheaper, faster and more predictable.

Key benefits:

Fast and low-cost: Many SEPA transfers arrive the same day, often with no fees or with flat-fee pricing. That’s ideal for recurring payments like payroll or supplier invoices
Standardised: All SEPA transfers follow the same process and rules, so there’s less friction and fewer failed payments
Reliable: Payments are settled in euros directly between banks in the SEPA region – with no need for currency conversion or intermediaries

Limitations:

Euro-only: SEPA doesn’t support multi-currency payments but is strictly for euro-to-euro transfers.
Limited scope: If you need to pay or get paid in USD, RMB, GBP or SGD or do business outside the SEPA region, SEPA won’t help

Best for: European businesses with euro-dominated operations, such as importers, exporters or service providers paying and receiving money within Europe.

4. Online money transfer platforms

Platforms like Wise and PayPal have become a popular payment method with individuals, freelancers and sole traders thanks to their simple user experience, fast transfers and upfront pricing. These services typically let you:

Send money internationally using the mid-market exchange rate (the “real” foreign exchange rate) plus a clear, visible fee
Transfer money online or via mobile in just a few clicks, often using local payment rails instead of SWIFT
Avoid the paperwork and hidden costs often associated with traditional banks

Unlike banks that rely on legacy systems and the SWIFT network, platforms like Wise often use domestic payment rails in both the sender’s and recipient’s countries. This “multi-local” model means funds arrive faster (sometimes within minutes or hours) and the final cost is visible upfront.

But these platforms aren’t always fit for business use:

Limited controls and permissions. There’s often no way to assign user roles, set approval workflows or separate access across teams
No bulk payments. Many platforms don’t support batch payments or payment runs to multiple suppliers at once
Few or no integrations. Some platforms won’t be able to connect to marketplaces, ERPs or accounting tools
Capped limits. There may be daily or monthly transfer limits, which can block larger or recurring transactions
Regulatory restrictions. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may be required to provide extra verification or face usage restrictions

Best for: Freelancers, small sellers or businesses making ad hoc international payments – but not scaling companies with complex payment flows or international teams.

5. Remittance services

Remittance services like Western Union and MoneyGram are designed for speed and accessibility, especially in areas where banking infrastructure is limited.

These services typically allow you to:

Send money to over 200 countries and territories, including remote or rural areas
Deliver funds in cash to a bank account or to a mobile wallet depending on the country
Choose same-day or even instant delivery in some regions, especially for cash pickups

Plus, they’re often the only viable option for recipients without bank accounts, particularly in developing countries or cash-based economies, where digital payments are less common.

Remittance services do come with significant limitations:

Very high FX markups. The exchange rates are typically far worse than banks or business platforms, with hidden margins built in
High fees. Especially for fast or cash-based delivery
No support for business needs. You can’t make bulk payments, assign team permissions or integrate with any business systems
Capped transfer amounts. There are strict limits on how much you can send at once, making them unsuitable for large supplier payments or payroll

While useful in very specific personal contexts, these services aren’t appropriate for companies. They lack the compliance features, reporting tools and cost-efficiency required for cross-border business operations.

Best for: Emergency personal transfers or sending money to individuals without bank accounts – not for SMEs or e-commerce sellers.

6. Cards and wallets

Prepaid and debit cards and digital wallets are popular tools for managing small-scale international spending, especially for individuals or employees who need to travel or make purchases abroad.

Platforms like Revolut, Wise or multi-currency cards like World Card allow you to:

Top up in your home currency and spend in multiple foreign currencies
Access real-time exchange rates, often at or close to the mid-market rate
Use physical or virtual cards for online or in-person purchases globally

As such, they’re ideal for managing minor business travel expenses, such as hotels, meals or transport abroad. And they help you avoid surprise FX fees on company cards while overseas.

While they’re convenient for spending, these solutions don’t always meet the needs of growing businesses when it comes to receiving or managing money at scale:

You can’t use them to receive income from customers or marketplaces
They’re not designed for supplier payments, particularly high-value or bulk transactions
They offer limited controls and visibility, without detailed reporting, approval workflows or multi-user access

Best for: Solo operators or employees who need a simple way to spend internationally – not for businesses that need to send, receive and manage payments across borders.

How WorldFirst helps you trade internationally

If you’re a growing e-commerce brand or global SME, international payments aren’t just a back-office task. You might be collecting sales in euros, paying suppliers in renminbi and running payroll in dollars – all while trying to manage FX rates and transfer times across different platforms.

WorldFirst is a global payments platform designed precisely for ambitious businesses trading internationally. With the WorldFirst account, you can hold and manage balances in 20+ currencies, pay international suppliers in 100+ currencies and get local bank details (like a US routing number) all from a single login.

Whether you’re receiving income from Amazon or paying partners in China, WorldFirst makes it simple, secure and cost-effective to do business across borders. Below, we’ll walk through how it works – and why it could be a smarter alternative to conventional bank wires or personal finance apps.

Hold 20+ currencies with local account details for faster international payments

With a WorldFirst account, you can hold balances in over 20 major currencies – including USD, GBP, EUR, RMB, AUD and SGD – and receive local bank details for each one. Depending on the currency, you’ll get a US routing number, a UK sort code or European IBAN, so you can send and receive money like a local business.

That makes it easy to:

Pay international suppliers in 100+ currencies – avoiding double conversions, surprise deductions and SWIFT delays
Collect marketplace income from platforms like Amazon, TikTok Shop and AliExpress – with funds landing directly into your WorldFirst account in local currency, ready to convert, withdraw or reinvest
Speed up transfers and reduce fees, thanks to WorldFirst’s infrastructure and global banking partnerships

For international suppliers and digital-first businesses, it’s a simpler, smarter way to take control of your global cash flow without the need to open a bank account in every country.

Make faster international payments with better FX rates and no surprise fees

Traditional international payments often rely on the SWIFT network, which can be slow, costly and unpredictable. WorldFirst takes a different approach.

By using local payment rails in over 60 countries, WorldFirst ensures your money moves faster and your recipients get paid in full, with no surprise deductions or delays. Here’s what that means in practice:

Faster settlement. Many payments arrive same or next day
Better FX rates. Typically more competitive than high street banks
Fewer intermediaries. Reduced risk of funds getting held up en route

And if your business deals in multiple currencies or operates on tight margins, WorldFirst offers advanced FX tools to help you stay in control:

Firm orders. Set your ideal exchange rate and WorldFirst will automatically execute the trade when the market hits your target
Forward contracts. Lock in today’s rate for future transfers, so you can plan ahead and protect your bottom line from FX volatility.

The result? Lower transfer costs, smoother supplier relationships and more predictable cross-border cash flow – all from one central account.

Leverage payment features built for cross-border businesses

Unlike consumer money transfer apps, WorldFirst is designed specifically for the demands of fast-moving, international businesses. That means scalable tools, hands-on support, and automation where it counts.

Here’s how a WorldFirst account helps you streamline operations:

Make batch payments to multiple suppliers. You can pay all your global vendors in one go, saving hours on manual transfers and reducing the risk of payment errors.
Set user roles and permissions for your team. Stay in control while delegating. Assign permissions so finance team members can create or approve payments without accessing sensitive account information.
Integrate with marketplaces and business tools. Automate how you collect, reconcile, and manage global income. Whether you sell on Amazon or TikTok Shop, your earnings can land directly into your WorldFirst account in the correct currency faster and without extra fees. And with integrations like Xero and NetSuite, you can streamline your financial operations, syncing payments and FX data directly into your books.
Dedicated support from FX and payments specialists. Get expert guidance on everything from currency strategies to payment timing. Your dedicated account manager is on hand to help you reduce risk, optimise rates and understand local market best practices.

Pay suppliers in China, including on 1688

Paying Chinese suppliers has traditionally been one of the trickiest parts of global trade. Conventional methods like wiring money via SWIFT can be slow and expensive. You often face long settlement times, opaque fees and limited visibility once the funds are sent.

WorldFirst removes these obstacles, helping you pay Chinese suppliers faster, more affordably, and with full confidence:

Make POBO (pay-on-behalf-of) payments. Send funds to mainland Chinese bank accounts even if you don’t have one yourself. Your supplier receives local currency (CNH or CNY), while you stay fully compliant with Chinese FX controls
Pay directly on 1688.com via WorldFirst’s built-in integration. Get real-time quotes and settle transactions within the platform, eliminating the need for intermediaries or manual bank transfers
Use local payment rails instead of SWIFT. Enjoy faster settlement and lower fees compared to traditional routes, with payments typically arriving in under 24 hours
Avoid double conversions and unpredictable fees. By paying in your supplier’s local currency, you get more transparency and your vendors receive the full amount – strengthening your commercial relationships

One global account to manage all your currencies and business payments

Running a cross-border business often means juggling multiple bank accounts, currencies and platforms – each with its own fees, timelines and logins. It’s a recipe for inefficiency and lost revenue.

WorldFirst simplifies this with one account built to unify your global operations:

Consolidate balances across currencies and markets. View, hold and manage 20+ currencies in one place – no need for separate accounts in each country. It’s ideal for e-commerce businesses selling in multiple regions or sourcing from international suppliers.
Save on unnecessary conversions and transaction fees. Avoid forced currency conversions by paying and receiving funds in local currencies. Move money between internal accounts without incurring extra charges.
Gain complete visibility into your global cash flow. Track incoming and outgoing payments across marketplaces, suppliers and currencies – all from one intuitive dashboard. This makes forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning much easier.

Whether you’re selling in five countries or sourcing from three continents, WorldFirst gives you one login to manage the entire picture — reducing admin and unlocking greater control over your international finances.

Start simplifying your international payments today. Open a WorldFirst account for free in minutes and get local account details in 20+ currencies.

How Glamour Empire used WorldFirst to make international payments across Europe

Glamour Empire, a UK-based maternity and womenswear brand, was rapidly expanding across Europe – with 85% of its sales coming from Germany.

But managing cross-border FX payments and collecting revenue in multiple currencies was becoming time-consuming and stressful. Their previous provider didn’t offer local support, and setting up bank accounts in new regions (like the US) was a bureaucratic nightmare.

Monika, Glamour Empire’s founder, switched to WorldFirst after being offered:

A WorldFirst account with local currency accounts to receive payments from marketplaces like Amazon across the EU and US
Fast and cost-effective international payments to suppliers and partners
Dedicated support from an account manager, ensuring issues were resolved quickly without long waits
An intuitive, full-service platform that made it easy to manage all global transactions in one place

Now, Glamour Empire sells seamlessly across Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland – and formerly, the USA – without the admin burden of setting up local bank accounts or chasing support.

Ready to make international payments easier?

Whether you’re expanding to new marketplaces, paying suppliers overseas or collecting revenue in multiple currencies, sending international payments doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

From traditional bank transfers to specialist remittance apps, there are plenty of options on the market. But few are built with global e-commerce businesses in mind.

WorldFirst combines the flexibility of a multi-currency account with the practical tools growing businesses need:

Local receiving accounts in key markets
Fast, secure payments to suppliers (including China)
Better FX rates than most banks
A single, easy-to-use platform
And the human support to back it all up

If you’re looking for a simpler way to run your international business, open a WorldFirst account for free today and start sending international payments with confidence.

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How to send international payments: 6 options for businesses

6 common methods to send international payments (and how they compare)

1. Multi-currency accounts (like WorldFirst)