Small business guide to paying a foreign currency invoice

Updated Jan 25, 2021

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Australian businesses are becoming increasingly international entities. With global trade becoming common practise and foreign exchange becoming an increasingly integral factor in business transactions, it's important for small and large businesses to understand the ins and outs of foreign transactions. For small businesses, this can be easier said than done. Foreign currency invoices can be difficult to incorporate into small business practises due to fluctuating foreign currency rates and changing technologies.

If you have any interaction with international business, take a look at our comprehensive small business guide on paying a foreign currency invoice.

Paying foreign currency invoices

When you receive a foreign currency invoice the currency will depend on the agreement you have made with your business supplier. Depending on the type of business you are engaged in and the country the foreign business is in, the invoice can request the invoice to be in the supplier's currency or in your own domestic currency. You can also request two invoices or an invoice with two listed currencies and then choose which currency to pay in.

By invoicing in the domestic currency the business shifts the risk to the purchaser, so keep this in mind.

When you receive a foreign currency invoice you'll have to choose a provider through which to pay it, such as a bank or international money transfer company. The provider you choose will depend on the amount of money you have to pay, whether this is a regular invoice and the currency you need to pay in. Providers usually require you to register with them. After you register you will usually be quoted a rate which will be confirmed by the provider. You then transfer the specified amount to your chosen provider who sends it forward to the nominated bank account of the payee. The provider will then confirm the payment has been made.

Providers of foreign exchange payment services

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
GBP 0	1 - 2 days	AUD 0.00	0.737	USD 7,366	New customers use code AZIMO50 to get GBP 5 off when you transfer GBP 50+. Valid till 31 October 2021. T&Cs apply. Azimo sends money directly to a bank account or over 280,000 cash pick-up points. It also has fast transfers to 50+ countries.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 0.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BYR, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MNT, MOP, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SRD, STD, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, XPF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.739	USD 7,391	TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply. TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HRK, HUF, ILS, JPY, NOK, NZD, PLN, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	Within an hour	AUD 0.00	0.739	USD 7,386	New customers get their first transaction for free with code FIRSTFREE. T&Cs apply. Send money in minutes at competitive exchange rates with this Australian money transfer service.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Email, Branch Available currencies AUD, BWP, GHS, KES, MYR, RWF, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, VND, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 250	1 - 2 days	AUD 0.00	0.739	USD 7,388	$0 transfer fees for Finder customers. OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 250.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, AZN, BGN, BND, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KRW, KWD, LKR, MAD, MGA, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, RUB, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, THB, TOP, TRY, TWD, TZS, USD, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XOF, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 2,000	1 day	AUD 0.00	0.739	USD 7,386	Send guarantees to match any competitor’s exchange rate. T&Cs apply. Send provides fee-free transfers via its 24/7 multi-currency payments platform with real-time quotes.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, BGN, BHD, CAD, CHF, CNY, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KWD, MXN, MYR, NOK, NZD, OMR, PHP, PLN, QAR, RON, SAR, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	Same day	AUD 0.00	0.738	USD 7,380	XE has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AMD, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BND, BRL, BSD, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KRW, KWD, KZT, LKR, LSL, MAD, MKD, MUR, MWK, MXN, MYR, NAD, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SZL, THB, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UGX, USD, VUV, WST, XCD, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	Same day	AUD 3.99	0.733	USD 7,326	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Conditions apply. WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 - 2 days	AUD 45.00	0.739	USD 7,354	Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 50+ currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
AUD 200	1 - 2 days	AUD 50.00	0.741	USD 7,369	Exclusive: New customers sending over 500 AUD from Australia use code FINDER50 to get 50 AUD off. Pay zero fees on your first transaction. Valid till 31 December 2021. T&Cs apply. Instarem offers simple transfers with a flat 0.5% transfer fee for most transfers.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 200.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, BDT, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, PHP, PKR, SGD, THB, USD, VND Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 day	N/A	N/A	N/A	Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to $3,000. SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, EUR, GBP Go to site Read the full review
AUD 1	1 day	AUD 52.00	0.738	USD 7,342	Pay no fees on your first two transfers, up to $3,000. SingX offers the real exchange rate every time you make a transfer and can help you send money across the world.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, JPY, KRW, LKR, MYR, NPR, NZD, PHP, SGD, THB, USD, VND, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 10	Within an hour	AUD 2.99	0.734	USD 7,334	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BOB, BRL, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, GHS, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KMF, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NIO, NPR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RWF, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
AUD 5	1 - 2 days	EUR 3.00	0.739	USD 7,386	Special offer: Zero fees on your first 10 transfers. CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount AUD 5.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, NOK, NZD, PHP, PLN, SEK, SGD, THB, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

Businesses have some choice when it comes to choosing a foreign exchange payment provider. Many banks offer this service, but you need to check the fees as they tend to charge for the convenience. You can also choose one of the foreign exchange payment providers who specialise in this service as the fees are usually lower or not charged at all for smaller transactions. Here are some of the options you have for international payment providers.

Features offered by international money transfer providers

Different providers offer different services for international money transfers. When deciding on a provider to use you should consider all the features of their service and the fees they charge. It may be worthwhile to choose a provider that has multiple branches or an online service platform so it is easy and convenient to pay foreign exchange invoices. Some of the features offered by these providers include:

Forward contracts

A forward transaction contract is an agreement between you and your chosen provider where they agree to sell to you foreign currency at a future fixed date and at a fixed rate of exchange. This can help your business with cash flow and can protect you against fluctuations in foreign currency rates. A forward exchange contract needs to involve the payer and the payee.

Foreign currency option

Foreign currency options offer different methods to limit foreign exchange risk. With foreign currency options customers have the right to buy or sell foreign currency at a specified price within a set period (US option), or on a fixed date (European option). As an importer, you need to sell Australian dollars and pay a premium. This type of contract allows you to take advantage of favourable exchange rates.

Online transfer

Many banks and international transfer providers have dedicated online platforms to assist you with international transfers. This is a quick and easy payment method that is easy to use and becoming popular for business.

SWIFT transfers

A SWIFT transfer refers to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication and uses a global interbank network. Many providers have built their services around this network. This option involves sending your funds to the provider who then immediately transfers it to the nominated bank account.

How to compare foreign exchange payment providers

When choosing a foreign exchange payment provider there are a few things you should keep in mind to get your business the best foreign exchange payment service.

Fees. Some providers will charge you fees to use their payment service; however, there's a decent amount of providers who provide their services for free. Some providers only charge you a fee if you send over a certain amount of money so be sure to check the fine print.
Customer service. If there's one thing you want from a foreign exchange payment provider it is peace of mind. International money transfers can be tricky and you don't want any mistakes which may hurt your business. Look for providers who offer over the phone or in-person services when facilitating your payment.
Convenience. When dealing with international business exchanges you want a service that is going to be convenient. Although some providers are not available to be contacted 24 hours a day, some do provide 24 hour access to your account in order to monitor your payments.
Informative service. Some providers provide foreign exchange rate monitoring and access to live exchange reports which may prove invaluable to your business.

Reporting income from international transactions

After your business has engaged in an international transaction, whether sending or receiving money, you must declare it on your Australian tax return. If you have paid foreign tax in another country, you may be entitled to an Australian foreign income tax offset which provides relief from double taxation.

Thank you for your feedback!

Jeremy Cabral

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Jeremy Cabral is the chief operating officer and global head of publishing for Finder. He has written hundreds of comparisons covering everything from credit cards to travel money to Netflix TV shows. Jeremy has a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from the University of Western Sydney.

Compare foreign exchange rates Travelex International Payments

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Azimo International Money Transfers

New customers use code AZIMO50 to get GBP 5 off when you transfer GBP 50+. Valid till 31 October 2021. T&Cs apply.
Azimo sends money directly to a bank account or over 280,000 cash pick-up points. It also has fast transfers to 50+ countries.

More info

TorFX International Money Transfers

TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.
TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.

More info

MasterRemit International Money Transfers

New customers get their first transaction for free with code FIRSTFREE. T&Cs apply.
Send money in minutes at competitive exchange rates with this Australian money transfer service.

More info

OFX (Ozforex) International Money Transfers

$0 transfer fees for Finder customers.
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.

More info

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4 Responses

JoeJuly 10, 2017

I am new to importing and have just paid my first overseas invoice, yet the charges were astronomical, and I did not have piece of mind! What if I do not receive my goods? I am looking to import USD $3,000 every 5 weeks. What is the best and safest option? Thank you in advance

JonathanJuly 12, 2017

Hello Joe!

Thanks for the comment! :)

If you regularly deal in currencies, a multi-currency bank account can be a good option. Also known as a foreign currency account, they allow you to hold different currencies and convert them into AUD when you want. This means you can avoid short-term rate fluctuations from harming your balance.

Please feel free to read our guide on multi-currency accounts to learn more about how these accounts work.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Jonathan

RobJanuary 30, 2014

Hi there,
Do HSBC offer the multi currency accounts for ad hoc payments for goods overseas? I need a provider that will allow me to hold US currency and make purchases online by transferring directly to their account. I am not a corporation but trying to establish a online business.

Thanks

finder Customer Care

ShirleyJanuary 31, 2014Staff

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your comment.

HSBC offers a personal and business multi currency account that allows you to hold USD. Please enquire about this directly to HSBC to see what type of account your online business is eligible for.

Cheers,
Shirley

Paying foreign currency invoices

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Paying foreign currency invoices

Providers of foreign exchange payment services

Compare up to 4 providers

Features offered by international money transfer providers

How to compare foreign exchange payment providers

Reporting income from international transactions

Jeremy Cabral

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International Money Transfer Offers

Azimo International Money Transfers

TorFX International Money Transfers

MasterRemit International Money Transfers

OFX (Ozforex) International Money Transfers

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