When making a bank transfer to Flywire, it's important to cover any fees your bank may charge, in addition to the amount you’re sending. Flywire does not charge extra fees beyond the payment request amount.
Banks may charge a fee to initiate a transfer, and intermediary or receiving banks may also charge fees. SEPA transfers (within the Single Euro Payments Area) are typically low-cost or free, but please confirm with your bank.
When you make an international bank transfer, your bank will ask who pays the transfer fees:
- In SWIFT MT103, this appears in “Details of Charges (Field 71A)” as OUR / SHA / BEN.
- In PACS008 (ISO 20022), this appears as “Charge Bearer” with values DEBT / SHAR / CRED.
They mean the same thing — please choose OUR (DEBT) to ensure the full amount is received.
What each option means
| Option | What it means |
|---|---|
| OUR / DEBT | You, as the sender, pay the transfer fees. This helps the full payment amount reach the beneficiary. |
| SHA / SHAR | Transfer fees are shared. Some fees may be deducted before the funds reach the beneficiary, which may cause a short payment. |
| BEN / CRED | The beneficiary pays the transfer fees. Fees may be deducted from the amount sent, so the beneficiary may receive less than expected. |
What if I cannot select OUR or DEBT?
If your bank does not allow you to select “OUR/DEBT” for the "details of charges" when making an international bank transfer, follow these steps to ensure your payment is received in full:
- Select “SHA/SHAR” (Shared Fees): Choose the “SHA” option, which means the transfer fees are shared between you and the beneficiary.
- Increase Your Payment Amount: Increase your payment amount by roughly 30.00 USD (or the equivalent in your local currency). This additional amount helps cover any potential fees deducted by the bank.
Flywire will send the full amount received to the recipient, even if it’s slightly more or less than expected.
By following these steps, you can mitigate the impact of any bank fees and ensure that your institution receives the correct payment amount.