---
updatedAt: 2026-07-28T19:48:36.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://developers.routable.com/llms.txt
---

# International Payments

Routable supports [Payables](https://developers.routable.com/docs/payables-1) made from companies in the United States to vendors in over [200 countries and territories](https://developers.routable.com/docs/supported-countries-and-territories). *We do not currently support international Receivables.*

## Creating an International Vendor

To create an `international` Vendor, use the [Create a Company](https://developers.routable.com/reference/create-company) endpoint and provide a **country\_code**. The country\_code value must not match your own company's country, as vendors in the same country as your company should be treated as domestic vendors rather than international ones.

Once the vendor is created, you can use Routable's [Invite a Company](https://developers.routable.com/reference/invite-company) workflow to allow the recipient to populate various details concerning their address and funding account using our pre-built form. The data required contains a variety of different fields and formats depending on the recipient's country. If you'd rather collect this information yourself, you can do so using the [Create a Payment Method](https://developers.routable.com/reference/create-payment-method) workflow.

<Callout icon="📘" theme="info">
  ### A word about country codes and currency codes

  Routable uses [ISO 3166-1 alpha-2](https://www.iso.org/iso-3166-country-codes.html) country codes and [ISO 4217](https://www.iso.org/iso-4217-currency-codes.html) currency codes in all of its APIs.
</Callout>

## Sending International Payments

International payments are created using the [Create a Payable](https://developers.routable.com/reference/create-payable) endpoint. Payables of this type have a type of **international** and require a **currency\_code** that corresponds with the receiver's country (see below). Note also that international bank transfer payments MUST use a **delivery\_method** of **international\_ach** or **international\_swift**.

```json
{
    "type": "international",
    "acting_team_member": "d373f767-1ef2-413d-9a57-f470d637671c",
    "amount": "52.30",
    "delivery_method": "international_ach",
    "withdraw_from_account": "2a8fe155-512e-4634-bd4a-710f3a1385ae",
    "currency_code": "GBP",
    "line_items": [
        {
            "amount": "52.30",
            "description": "Truck signs",
            "quantity": "1",
            "style": "item",
            "unit_price": "52.30"
        }
    ],
    "pay_to_company": "c1cba353-1de6-4386-bcfb-31a45857cdb7",
    "pay_to_payment_method": "e08864e0-a01b-40c7-bfab-117c044ecdde",
    "send_on": null
}
```

Once this call completes, the Vendor will receive an email with instructions on how to accept the payment using another of Routable's pre-built external flows.

## Understanding SWIFT fees

When using the `international_swift` delivery option, fees are incurred from the SWIFT network. Routable users have the option to pay this entire fee themselves, or split it with their vendors, using the `swift_charge_option` request field. Passing `our` (the default) will charge the full fee to you, and passing `sha` will cause the fee to be shared with the vendor.

You can use our [fee calculator](https://developers.routable.com/docs/estimating-fees-and-exchange-rates-for-payments) endpoint to see the impact of these options on your total charges.

<Callout icon="🚧" theme="warn">
  Only use this option when creating `international_swift` and `international_vendor_choice`Payables, as the SWIFT fee does not apply to `international_ach` transactions.
</Callout>

## Countries and currencies currently supported by Routable

Routable supports sending to some countries in their native currencies and to some in US dollars. Additionally, different delivery methods (local bank transfer vs. SWIFT) are supported in different countries, and some countries have different requirements for `international` `PaymentMethods` and recipient `Companies` and `Contacts`.

See the [Supported Countries and Territories](https://developers.routable.com/docs/supported-countries-and-territories) Explorer for a complete inventory of the payment methods, delivery options, and currencies we support for those countries. The explorer will also show you any additional required data to send a Payable to the selected country or territory. Routable continues to add support for new currencies and new delivery methods to our platform, so check back often!

<Callout icon="👍" theme="okay">
  ### Need a hand?

  Reach out to our Developer Experience team at [developers@routable.com](mailto:developers@routable.com?subject=Cross-border%20payments) with any questions you may have!
</Callout>

<br />

# Sub pages

* [Supported Countries and Territories](https://developers.routable.com/docs/supported-countries-and-territories.md)
* [Estimating Fees and Exchange Rates for Payments](https://developers.routable.com/docs/estimating-fees-and-exchange-rates-for-payments.md)