Getting Paid in USD From Anywhere in the World: The Practical Guide
USD is still the world's business currency. Here's how to receive USD payments efficiently regardless of where you live, incorporate, or bank.
Last edited 6 July 2026 - Authors: Joe Martin Hanson, Director & Global Partner, with advice from FTR’s Banking Introduction Partners.
A consultant in Lisbon invoicing a US client in EUR is quietly donating 2–5% of every invoice to a bank's FX spread. Invoice in USD instead and that spread drops to under 1%.
Key Numbers to Know (2026)
Wise Business USD receiving: US routing + account number, ACH-compatible
Mercury (US LLC only): true US bank account, full ACH/wire capability
Payoneer USD receiving: US receiving accounts available worldwide
Airwallex USD receiving: US accounts for Airwallex users
Typical FX margin — Wise: 0.35–0.65% above mid-market
Typical FX margin — traditional banks: 2–5% above mid-market
Typical FX margin — PayPal: 3–4.5% above mid-market
Wire transfer fee to receive USD internationally: $10–$50 typical
ACH receiving fee: usually free
Why USD Receiving Matters
Most international B2B business is still invoiced in USD. If you're a consultant in Portugal invoicing a US client, you can receive USD efficiently, or invoice in EUR and let your client's bank do the conversion — expensive for them, unpredictable for you. The right infrastructure lets you receive USD via ACH (free, fast), hold it as USD, and convert to your operating currency only when you actually need to.
The Setup That Works
If you have a US LLC: use Mercury or Relay for full US business banking. Real routing and account numbers, ACH, wire, and a debit card — best-in-class.
If you don't have a US entity: Wise Business, Payoneer, or Airwallex all provide US receiving details. Your US clients pay you via ACH exactly as they'd pay a US vendor.
For higher volumes, layer the two: Wise for smaller receipts, Mercury or Relay reserves via a US LLC once volume justifies the entity.
The Cost You Don't See
The single biggest hidden cost is FX conversion. Receive $10K USD and convert it immediately to EUR through a traditional bank, and you might lose €300 against the mid-market rate. Route the same $10K through Wise and you lose €40. That's the whole argument in two numbers.
Rule: hold USD as USD until you need to spend or invest in the local currency. Convert only what you need, when you need it.
Card Payments vs Bank Transfers
For B2B invoicing, prefer ACH or wire. Fees are minimal, there's no chargeback risk, and the receiving infrastructure is straightforward. For B2C or self-service SaaS, you need card processing — see Articles A17 and A18 for the trade-offs there.
Which Setup Fits You
No US entity and moderate volume: open Wise Business, Payoneer, or Airwallex and stop there. Growing past roughly $50K/month in US client revenue: form the US LLC and add Mercury or Relay for the reserve you're not converting yet. Either way, invoice in USD by default — the currency decision is worth more to your margin than most tax planning you'll do this year.
Get the Receiving Side Right
Getting USD receiving right can be worth thousands a year in avoided FX spread. On a scoping call, we map the setup for your entity and client base — which rail, which bank, and when the US LLC actually pays for itself. Book one here.
General information only, not tax, legal, or financial advice for your circumstances. Confirm specifics with a qualified adviser before acting.
Next Steps
If you're evaluating offshore structuring and want an honest assessment of what CRS and UBO registries mean for your specific situation, book a scoping call. We don’t time-bill and the initial call is free - click the ‘Book a Consultation’ button or email us at hello@ftr.finance today.
Important note: This article is general information for readers considering cross-border retirement or asset structuring. It is not personal tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws, visa rules, and treaty positions change regularly, and how they apply to you depends on your specific facts, citizenship, source of income, and prior tax history. Speak to a qualified adviser at FTR or elsewhere before acting on anything in this article.
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