What Chase charges for sending money abroad

Chase charges a flat fee to send money outside the United States. The fee varies depending on whether you send the wire through a Chase branch, by phone, or online through Chase.com or the Chase mobile app. As of now, the online fee is lower than the branch or phone fee, but you should confirm the current amount before you send because Chase updates these fees periodically.

In addition to Chase's fee, you will pay an intermediary bank fee if your wire passes through a correspondent bank on its way to the destination country. This fee is deducted from the amount the recipient receives, not added to what you send. You won't know the exact intermediary fee until after you initiate the transfer, because it depends on the receiving bank's location and the currency involved.

Chase also applies an exchange rate to convert your dollars into the foreign currency. This rate includes a markup above the mid-market rate — the true market rate at that moment. The markup is how Chase makes money on the conversion. You cannot avoid this markup, but you can see what rate Chase is offering before you confirm the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase charges a flat wire fee that is lowest when you send online and higher when you use a branch or phone, though the exact amounts change periodically.
  • The receiving bank may deduct an intermediary fee from the money that arrives, which you cannot predict in advance but can see before you confirm.
  • Chase's exchange rate includes a markup above the market rate, and you can view the rate before you send but cannot negotiate it.
  • You need the recipient's full name, bank account number, bank routing code (SWIFT or IBAN), and the recipient's bank address to complete the transfer.
  • Foreign wires sent before 2 p.m. ET on a business day typically arrive within one to three business days, depending on the destination country.

Information you need before you start

Gather the recipient's banking details before you log in or visit a branch. You will need the recipient's full legal name exactly as it appears on their bank account, their account number, and their bank's routing code. In most countries outside the United States, the routing code is called a SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code) or an IBAN (International Bank Account Number, which is longer and includes the country code). Some countries use both.

You will also need the name and address of the recipient's bank. If you have the SWIFT code, you can search it on the SWIFT website to find the bank's official address. If the recipient gives you an address that does not match the SWIFT registry, use the SWIFT registry version — banks are strict about this.

Have your Chase account number and routing number ready as well. If you are sending from a business account, you may need additional authorization or documentation depending on the amount and destination.

Sending a wire online through Chase.com or the mobile app

Log into Chase.com or open the Chase mobile app and navigate to the wire transfer section, usually found under "Transfers" or "Send Money." Select "International Wire" or "Foreign Wire." Enter the recipient's name, account number, and SWIFT code or IBAN. Chase will prompt you to enter the recipient's bank name and address — copy this information exactly as it appears in official bank records.

Enter the amount you want to send in U.S. dollars. Chase will show you the exchange rate it is offering, the wire fee, and an estimate of how much the recipient will receive after intermediary fees (if any). Review these numbers carefully. If you proceed, you will be asked to confirm the transfer and may need to use two-factor authentication to authorize it.

Chase typically processes online wires sent before 2 p.m. ET on a business day the same day. Wires sent after 2 p.m. or on weekends and holidays are processed the next business day. The wire usually arrives at the recipient's bank within one to three business days, depending on the destination country and whether the receiving bank is in a time zone ahead of or behind the United States.

Sending a wire by phone or at a Chase branch

Call the number on the back of your Chase debit or credit card to reach a wire specialist, or visit a Chase branch in person. A representative will ask for the same information: the recipient's full name, account number, SWIFT code or IBAN, bank name, and bank address. They will also ask the purpose of the transfer (for example, "family support" or "business payment") — this is required by U.S. law and does not affect whether the wire is sent.

The representative will tell you the wire fee, show you the exchange rate, and estimate any intermediary fees. If you agree to proceed, you will authorize the transfer. At a branch, you may be asked to sign a form. By phone, you authorize verbally, and the representative will confirm the details back to you before processing.

Wires sent by phone or branch before 2 p.m. ET on a business day are typically processed the same day. The arrival time at the recipient's bank is the same as with online transfers — usually one to three business days depending on the destination.

What happens if the wire is delayed or does not arrive

If the recipient does not see the money within the expected timeframe, contact Chase when ready. Have your wire confirmation number ready — Chase provides this when you send the wire. Chase can check the status of the wire with the intermediary banks involved and the receiving bank.

Delays often happen because of incorrect bank details, a mismatch between the recipient's name on the wire and the name on their bank account, or a holiday in the destination country. If the receiving bank rejects the wire because of an error, the money returns to your Chase account, usually within five to ten business days. You will not be charged a second fee to resend the wire if the error was on the recipient's banking information, but Chase may charge a fee if the error was in how you entered the information.

If the wire is lost or the recipient's bank cannot locate it after two weeks, ask Chase to file a trace. This is an investigation that can take several weeks. If the trace determines the money was sent correctly and the receiving bank lost it, the receiving bank is responsible for recovering it, not Chase.

Limits on how much you can send

Chase sets daily and monthly limits on wire transfers, and these limits vary by account type and your account history. A new account typically has a lower limit than an established account. Business accounts may have different limits than personal accounts. Log into your Chase account or call the number on your card to find out your current limit.

If you need to send more than your limit allows, you can request a temporary increase by calling Chase or visiting a branch. Chase may approve the increase if you have been a customer for a while and have no history of fraud or unusual activity. The approval process can take one business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire after I send it?

It depends on how quickly you act. If you cancel before the wire leaves Chase's system — usually within minutes of sending — Chase can stop it. Once the wire reaches an intermediary bank or the receiving bank, it cannot be recalled. Call Chase when ready if you need to cancel, and have your confirmation number ready.

Why is the exchange rate different from what I see online?

Chase's exchange rate includes a markup and changes throughout the day as market rates move. The rate you see on a financial website is the mid-market rate, which does not include any bank's markup. Chase's rate is always less favorable than the mid-market rate because the markup is how Chase profits on the conversion.

Do I have to use a SWIFT code, or can I use an IBAN?

Either one works. SWIFT codes are used in most countries. IBANs are standard in Europe and some other regions. If you have both, you can use either one. If you only have one, that is enough — Chase can route the wire with just a SWIFT code or just an IBAN.

What if the recipient's bank is in a country Chase does not work with?

Chase maintains relationships with banks in most countries, but not all. If Chase cannot send to a particular bank, a representative will tell you when you initiate the transfer. In that case, you would need to use a different bank or a money transfer service that works with that destination.

How do I know if the wire arrived?

The recipient should check their bank account or contact their bank directly. Chase can confirm that the wire left the U.S. banking system, but the receiving bank controls when the money appears in the recipient's account. Some banks post wires the same day; others take one or two business days even after the wire arrives.