Key takeaways
Focus on growth, not admin: We handle the currency conversion for you so you can focus on building your global client base.
Get paid with confidence: Including specific payment details on your invoices helps you get paid faster and more professionally.
Stay in control: We’ll keep you informed on what to expect from international transfers, helping you manage client expectations with ease.
To get started, your customer needs two key pieces of information to make sure your funds reach you correctly and without delay:
Your IBAN (International Bank Account Number).
Your BIC (Bank Identifier Code).
While the IBAN and BIC cover the essentials, some international banks have slightly different requirements to keep things moving. To save you from back-and-forth admin later, it can be helpful to have these extra details ready just in case:
Full legal account holder name: The name exactly as it appears on your bank account.
Bank address: The physical address of your bank branch.
Routing number or sort code: Particularly common for payments coming from the US or within the UK.
Including these details clearly on your invoice upfront is a great way to appear professional and avoid any unexpected delays, leaving you free to focus on growing your business.
Ready to get paid? Here’s where to look
No need to dig through old paperwork to find your details. You can grab them in seconds within the Mettle app:
Open the Mettle app and tap ‘Account’.
Select ‘Share account details’.
Tap ‘International’.
Invoicing with confidence
International transfers have a few extra moving parts, but getting them right upfront keeps your cash flow moving smoothly so you can focus on what matters. Start by checking your invoice contains all the essentials, such as your business address, company registration number, and a clear ‘Place of Supply’ – the country where you’re delivering the work.
If you’re VAT-registered, don’t forget to include the correct wording for your services, like specifying a ‘reverse charge’ where it’s required. Keeping these details sharp means less admin for you and a more professional experience for your global clients.
Keep things transparent
Communication is key to more living and less worrying. Be crystal clear on currency by specifying whether you expect payment in GBP or your customer's local currency. It’s also wise to state your payment terms clearly, such as "Payment due in 30 calendar days," to help manage expectations. Having these details at the ready keeps you firmly in control of your business.
Fees and expectations
To make your first international payment as seamless as possible, it's worth checking that your account is fully verified. If your customer pays in a foreign currency, we’ll handle the conversion back to GBP automatically for a 1.5% conversion fee*.
Remember that international transfers typically take around five working days, and third-party intermediary banks sometimes deduct small handling fees, which might result in a payout slightly lower than invoiced. If the five day window passes and your payment hasn't arrived, simply ask your client for a ‘payment confirmation’ or ‘SWIFT advice’ to help us track its journey.
*Inbound international payments over the value of £10 charged at £4, plus 1.5% for currency conversion. Exclusions apply. Additional Mettle fees may apply.
