Previously, AP teams had to break their workflow to handle international invoices, leading to fragmented data and manual entry risks. This update provides a single, end-to-end procure-to-pay solution. By automating international banking details and offering transparent fees, we enable your team to manage global growth without the operational headache.
Included Procurify's Accounts Payable module. Users must be a Superuser or have AP permission to "Create, view, and manage payments and payees".
Requires completion of Airwallex Financial Account setup.
Overview
We’ve expanded our footprint to support US bank payments to over 190 countries. Whether your vendors are in major financial hubs or emerging markets, users can easily add and pay vendors internationally using:
Local Currency: Send payments in 90+ currencies (e.g., EUR, GBP, CAD).
USD via SWIFT: Send USD to international vendors using the secure SWIFT network.
Real-time FX rates and streamlined Swift verification mean faster global transfers. Manage your global overhead with industry-leading rates:
FX Transfers: Send payments in the vendor’s local currency with $0 wire fees.
USD SWIFT Wires: Send USD internationally for a flat $15 fee—significantly lower than the $20–$30 industry average.
How it works:
Stop wasting time logging into external bank portals. Our Unified Flow ensures that international payments follow the exact same approval and execution process as your domestic bills.
Smart Routing & SWIFT Lookup: Our system features intelligent autocomplete for SWIFT codes and international bank details. This proactively reduces the risk of "failed payments" caused by manual data entry errors.
Adding International Vendor Payment Methods:
While you don’t need a new vendor profile for international payments, you do need to add the specific payment method:
Navigate to Accounts Payable > Manage Payees and select the payee.
Select Add Payment Method.
Choose International, and click continue.
Input the country of the vendor's bank. The Account currency and available Transfer methods will appear.
Select a Transfer method (SEPA, SWIFT, etc)
Input the International Bank Account Number (IBAN). The system will recognize and display the bank associated to the account below the field automatically, helping you verify that the bank account information is correct.
Input the Account name, using the account holder's full name as registered with the bank. The system will accurately flag any discrepancies between the IBAN and account name to prevent potential errors.
Fill in the Address, and add an optional nickname. You'll notice that inputting an address auto-fills the city and postal code, further reducing manual data entry and potential errors.
Verify that the IBAN and account name match the account holder's full name as registered with the bank.
Once bank details are valid, click Add payment method.
Setting Payment method as Default:
Navigate to the Vendor or Manage Payees module and select the specific Vendor.
Click the 3 dots to the right of the newly added Payment Method.
Click Set as default.
Preparing an International Payment:
Navigate to the Accounts Payable > Pay Bills page.
Select the bill(s) you wish to pay and click Prepare Payment.
Review the Pre-filled Fields:
Payment Method: The system will auto-select the vendor's default method. If the vendor only has one method, it is selected automatically even without the "Default" designation.
Payment Source and Account: Your funding source and account are pre-selected based on the chosen payment method.
Select Payment Timing:
Pay on Final Approval: Select this to trigger the payment immediately once the final approval is granted.
Scheduled Date: Select a specific future date if strict payment timing is required.
Select the appropriate approver group and approver.
Click Submit for approval.
The system provides an estimated exchange rate from the current market rate.
Fee Schedule
We aim for transparency. Below is the breakdown of how fees are applied for various international payment methods originating from a US bank:
Payment Method | Fees | Notes | Best Used When |
SWIFT Wire (USD) | $15.00 USD | Per SWIFT wire transfer in USD | Paying international vendors that accept USD and require a traditional SWIFT wire |
SWIFT Wire with Currency Conversion | $0.00 USD | Per SWIFT wire transfer; available to US customers. | Paying international vendors in their local currency when a SWIFT wire is required |
Local Bank Transfer with Currency Conversion | $0.00 USD | Per local bank transfer with foreign exchange; available to US customers. | Paying international vendors in local currency using in-country rails for lower cost and faster settlement |
Approving International Payments
Approvers can review the pending payment to verify the vendor, banking details, estimated arrival time, the estimated currency exchange rate, and the estimated amount to be withdrawn in USD.
All payments involving current exchange are fee-free on our platform, which you can see reflected in Transaction fee field.
Exchange rates: The exchange rate locks in at the moment the payment starts processing.
If on final approval is selected, the current exchange rate shown on the payment will be used in the payment.
If the payment is scheduled for a future date, both the rate and withdrawal amount remain estimates until the actual processing date.
FAQ:
Availability & Eligibility
Q: In which regions is Bill Pay currently available?
A: Bill Pay is currently available for customers based in the United States and Canada. However, the new International Payments feature is exclusively available to our U.S.-based customers at this time.
Q: Are there plans to support International Bill Pay for Canadian customers?
A: At this stage, International Bill Pay is limited to U.S. accounts. We are constantly evaluating our roadmap and will provide updates as we expand these capabilities to other regions.
Coverage & Capabilities
Q: Which countries and currencies are supported for international payments?
A: We support local and SWIFT payments to over 190 countries and 90 currencies, covering major global financial hubs (such as the UK, EU, and Hong Kong) as well as a wide range of emerging markets.
Q: How does the system ensure payments reach the correct beneficiary?
A: We prioritize payment security through several integrated features. For European beneficiaries, we offer Verification of Payee (VoP), which validates the account holder’s name against bank records in real-time. For other regions, we use smart auto-complete for bank routing codes and addresses to minimize manual data entry errors.
Q: Can I use my Financial Account to fund international payments?
A: Yes. You can fund international payments using either a linked external bank account or your internal Financial Account.
Fees & Exchange Rates
Q: How are transaction fees determined?
A: Any transaction involving a currency exchange (FX) is processed without a transaction fee. For SWIFT wires sent in USD, there is a flat fee of $15 USD per transfer. Any applicable fees are deducted from your chosen payment source at the time of the transaction.
Q: Why is the exchange rate in the app different from the rate I see on Google?
A: The rates shown on search engines are typically "mid-market" or wholesale rates, which are not available to individual businesses. While we do not charge a separate "FX fee," a spread is applied to the mid-market rate. Our spread is set to be highly competitive compared to traditional providers like BILL or Tipalti.
Q: Why did my vendor receive less than the total amount I sent?
A: When sending money via SWIFT, intermediary or "correspondent" banks may sit between our partner and the recipient’s bank. These banks often deduct "lifting fees" for processing the transfer. Additionally, the recipient's own bank may charge a fee to receive an incoming wire.
Q: Is there a way to ensure my vendor receives the full amount without deductions?
A: Yes. Whenever possible, we recommend using Local Bank Transfers (such as SEPA in Europe). Local transfers are faster, significantly cheaper, and rarely involve the intermediary fees associated with the SWIFT network.
Processing & Timing
Q: How long does it take for an international payment to arrive?
A: Delivery times vary by region and payment method. Please refer to the estimated flight time provided when preparing or reviewing the payment for approval.
Q: When is the exchange rate officially locked?
A: The exchange rate is locked at the moment the payment begins processing. If you select "Pay on Final Approval," the rate will be captured when the final approver signs off. If the payment is scheduled for a future date, the rate shown during setup is an estimate; the final rate will be determined on the scheduled processing date.
Q: Can I track the status of my international payment?
A: Yes. Once a payment is submitted, you can track its progress on the “Manage Payments” page.
Setup & Administration
Q: Do I need to create new vendor profiles for international payments?
A: You do not need a new vendor profile, but you will need to add an "International" payment method to your existing vendor. Once added, you can set it as the default method for that payee to streamline future payments.
Q: Is there a limit on the amount I can send internationally?
A: Transaction limits vary based on several factors, including your selected transfer method, and your funding source. For example, limits may be influenced by your current Financial Account balance or your daily direct debit transfer limit.