Paying a US company from outside the United States is a solved problem with multiple routes, each with different costs, speeds, and documentation requirements. The right choice depends on the amount, frequency, and what the payment is for.
For a broader provider comparison, see the non-resident payment processor comparison.
The options, ranked by cost
1. Wise (cheapest for most amounts)
Wise converts your local currency to USD at the mid-market rate and delivers to the US company's bank account via ACH or wire. Fees are typically 0.4%–1.5% depending on the currency pair and payment method. Delivery takes 1–3 business days for most corridors.
Works for: Regular payments, contractor invoices, subscription fees, supplier payments. Doesn't work for: Countries where Wise is restricted or unavailable (check Wise's coverage page for your country).
2. International wire transfer (most universal)
Your local bank sends USD directly to the US company's bank account via SWIFT. Fees are typically $15–$50 per transfer from your bank, plus the receiving bank may charge $10–$25. Exchange rates include a markup of 1%–4% over mid-market depending on your bank.
Works for: Large one-off payments, countries where Wise isn't available, when you need a SWIFT confirmation for compliance purposes. Doesn't work for: Frequent small payments (the fixed fees make it expensive below $1,000).
3. PayPal or Payoneer (fastest setup)
Both platforms allow you to send USD to a US business. PayPal charges approximately 5% for cross-border business payments. Payoneer is typically 2%–3%. Both offer instant or same-day delivery.
Works for: Quick payments when you don't have the recipient's bank details, platforms where the US company already has an account. Doesn't work for: Large amounts (fees become significant), ongoing regular payments (cheaper options exist).
4. Cryptocurrency (niche use cases)
Converting local currency to USDC or USDT, sending to the US company's wallet, and having them convert to USD. Fees vary but can be under 1% for the transfer itself. The US company needs a crypto-friendly bank or exchange to convert back to USD.
Works for: Countries with severe banking restrictions, when traditional rails are slow or expensive. Doesn't work for: Most normal business payments (adds complexity, potential tax reporting obligations on both sides, and the US company may not accept it).
What documentation you need
For any payment above approximately $10,000 (or the equivalent in your currency), expect your bank to ask for:
- An invoice or contract showing what the payment is for
- The US company's details (name, EIN, bank account)
- Your relationship to the US company (owner, customer, contractor)
If you are the owner of the US company and transferring your own funds to capitalise it, you may need to show your ownership documents (Operating Agreement or stock certificates) and explain that this is a capital contribution, not a payment for services.
Exchange rate considerations
The single largest hidden cost in international payments is the exchange rate markup. Banks typically add 1.5%–4% to the mid-market rate without disclosing it as a separate fee. On a $10,000 transfer, that's $150–$400 in invisible cost.
Wise, OFX, and similar FX-focused services use the mid-market rate (or close to it) and charge a transparent percentage fee instead. For regular payments, this difference compounds significantly over a year.
Country-specific considerations
Some countries have foreign exchange controls that limit how much you can send abroad, require central bank approval for transfers above a threshold, or restrict the purposes for which you can buy foreign currency. We maintain country-specific payment guides that cover these restrictions for each jurisdiction.
Tax implications
Paying a US company from abroad does not, by itself, create a US tax obligation for you. However:
- If you are paying your own US LLC as a capital contribution, this may need to be reported on your US tax return (Form 5472 for foreign-owned LLCs).
- If you are paying a US company for services, the US company may need to report the payment depending on the amount and nature.
- Your home country may require you to report foreign payments above a certain threshold.
The payment itself is not taxable. The underlying transaction it represents may have tax consequences depending on what it's for and your relationship to the US company.