Receiving an international transfer into a UK account

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Obtain instructions from your bank

Open the international payments section in your app or request incoming-transfer instructions. You will normally need the beneficiary’s name, IBAN or account number and BIC/SWIFT. An address or intermediary bank details may also be required. Do not assemble instructions from random online directories.

HSBC’s guidance illustrates the details needed to receive a payment ↗. It is a bank-specific example: your product may support different currencies and arrangements. A UK sort code and account number do not always replace international details for an overseas sender.

Agree the currency and net amount

Establish whether the account accepts the sending currency or converts it automatically into sterling. Ask about the exchange rate, receiving fee and possible intermediary deductions. Compare what reaches the account rather than only a promise of “no transfer fee”.

If using a separate payment service, verify its legal entity and permissions with the FCA. The FCA explains payment provider types and protection of customer funds ↗. A popular app and a bank deposit do not necessarily offer equivalent protection.

Prepare evidence explaining the payment

For a substantial amount, gather documents in advance: sender statements, a sale agreement or evidence of a genuine gift, inheritance or earned income. Keep the trail between your own accounts. Ask whether translated documents are needed and which formats are accepted.

Do not change the payment description for convenience. Gifts, wages and business income have different tax implications. An overseas origin alone does not determine tax treatment; check the relevant rules and your tax residence separately.

Track the transfer and correct errors

Verify details through an independent channel before sending. A small test payment can check a new route, but does not guarantee that a later large payment will pass without review.

Keep the confirmation, date, currency and reference. If delayed, the sender requests a trace from their provider while the recipient checks with the UK bank. Do not resend the full amount before establishing what happened to the first transfer. If details were wrong, ask the sending bank immediately to stop or recall it; recovery is not guaranteed.