How international money transfers work
An international transfer moves money from your account to an overseas account through the international banking network. The payment may pass through multiple banks before reaching the recipient.
How long international money transfers take
Money usually arrives in the overseas account within one to three business days. Final delivery time depends on the receiving bank.
For payments sent to Australia in Australian dollars, transfers made before 1 pm typically arrive the same day.
Fees that may be deducted
Banks involved in processing the transfer may deduct fees along the way. Because of this, the recipient may receive less than the amount you sent. See our fees.
Add a payment reference
Add reference details to help the recipient identify the payment on their bank statement.
How to send an international money transfer
You can make an international money transfer by:
- Using Internet banking for business
- Visiting your nearest Kiwibank
- Downloading an international money transfer request form and emailing it to supportTT@kiwibank.co.nz.
Outward payment fees
Outward international payment fee — international money transfers |
When you send an international money transfer to an overseas bank account from your NZD account or your foreign currency account:
¹ SHA fees are shared between the sender and beneficiary of the payment: overseas bank fees will be deducted from the payment. This will mean the beneficiary receives less than you have sent. ² Our fees are paid by the sender of the payment. You will pay an additional fee, which will be added to your payment fee to cover overseas bank fees. By choosing this option, the full amount you send should reach the beneficiary, however, this is not within Kiwibank’s control and there may be additional fees charged to the beneficiary. |
Outward international payment investigation/ amendment/ cancellation fee |
When you ask for an investigation in respect of an international payment, or ask for the amendment or cancellation of an international money transfer. NZD25 per investigation, amendment or cancellation. Other banks involved in the amendment or cancellation may charge fees. These fees vary from bank to bank. We’ll pass these fees onto you. |
Information you need to make international transfers
When your business sends money overseas you need specific details about the person or organisation you’re sending money to.
- Bank and branch number (often referred to in Australia as BSB number)
- Account number
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address, including postcode and state.
- Bank and branch name
- Bank and branch number (often referred to in Canada as institution and transit number or Electronic Fund Transactions (EFT) routing number) - note: a full EFT is 9 numbers long and includes a 0 at the start
- Account number
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
- IBAN number
- SWIFT code (preferrable)
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
- Bank and branch name
- SWIFT code
- Account number
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
- Bank and branch name
- SWIFT code
- Account number
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
- IFSC code* (for transfers over 100,000 INR)
- Bank address including PIN code*
- If recipient is not an Indian resident you’ll need to refer to them as a NRE*.
*For internet banking, put this information in payee’s details.
- Bank and branch number (often referred to in the UK as sort code)
- Account number or IBAN
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
- Bank and branch number (often referred to in the US as ABA or FedWire)
- Bank and branch name
- SWIFT code
- Account number
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
For other countries we recommend that you ask the recipient to confirm the details their bank needs.
The most common requirements are:
- Bank and branch name
- SWIFT code
- Account number
- Recipient’s account name
- Recipient’s physical address
Some countries may have additional requirements.
This information is subject to change. Kiwibank accepts no responsibility for errors or omissions.
When Kiwibank converts foreign currency into New Zealand dollars, or converts New Zealand dollars into foreign currency, or converts one foreign currency into another foreign currency, Kiwibank makes money on the conversion.