HSBC

HSBC international transfers review

The ins and outs of transferring funds around the globe with this provider.

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With HSBC’s Global Transfers service you can seamlessly transfer funds between your eligible HSBC accounts with no transfer fee. Or you can use HSBC’s international transfer option to make a transfer to someone else’s bank account abroad, but for a fee.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll first need to have a bank account with HSBC.

How do I make an HSBC international transfer?

To initiate a transfer, you must first be an HSBC Personal Internet Banking customer. Then:

  1. Log on to your HSBC Personal Internet Banking account.
  2. Select the My HSBC tab and click on Pay or transfer under the Move Money section.
  3. Select the account that you wish to make a payment from, then click the New Payee tab.
  4. Click the Wire transfer tab and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the international transfer request.

HSBC international transfer fees

HSBC transfer fees depend on how you’re sending the transfer and whether you’re sending or receiving it.

Sending money outside the UK

Payment typeOnlineBranchPhonePostal
HSBC to HSBC£0£0£0£17
Within the EEA£0£0£0£17
Outside the EEA£4£9£9£17

Receiving money from outside the UK

AmountCharge
Under £100Free
Over £100£6

The bank charges a service fee for every international transfer, which the sender can review before making the transaction. The sender has different options: to pay all the charges, to share the charges or for the recipient to pay all the charges (which HSBC exchange rates

You’ll need to consider the exchange rate that applies whenever you send money overseas, and HSBC updates its rates frequently in order to keep pace with market fluctuations. You’ll be able to review the live exchange rate that applies to each transaction before you make a transfer, but using HSBC’s Global Transfers service to send money between your accounts gives you preferential exchange rates from the bank.

Who charges less?

Independent transfer services usually win out over banks when it comes to fees. There are several providers who will send a transfer for free with competitive exchange rates, including OFX, Xe and Wise.

Transfer limits and available countries

As HSBC is an international bank, you can use the Global Transfers service to send funds to eligible HSBC deposit accounts in more than 45 countries around the world. The maximum amount you can send per day using the Global Transfers service is USD$200,000 (roughly £150,000).

With international transfers, you can send:

  • Online: up to £50,000
  • Over the phone: £10,000,000 for Premier customers and up to £10,000 for non-Premier customers
  • In branches: Unlimited

However, there are some countries where UK banks will not send your funds, such as Iran, Iraq, Cuba and North Korea.

See how other services compare to HSBC

Table: sorted by promoted deals first
Our table below lets you compare services you can use to send money abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different money transfer services, and when you have made your choice, click Go to site.
1 - 20 of 21
Name Product Filter values Fastest transfer speed Fees (pay by bank transfer) Learn more
TorFX
24 hours
£0

View details
TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
Key Currency
24 hours
£0

View details
Make same-day transfers in all major currencies across Europe.
Wise (TransferWise)
4 hours
From £3.75

View details
Wise uses the mid-market rate and transparent fees to help you send money in 45+ currencies.
Equals Business Expense Card
Equals Business Expense Card
24 hours
1.5%

View details
Equals Money sends money overseas in 140+ currencies.
OFX
24 hours
£0

View details
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyTransfer
24 hours
£0

View details
CurrencyTransfer lets you shop around for the best exchange rate on its online marketplace.
Currencies Direct
24 hours
£0

View details
CurrenciesDirect makes transferring money abroad simple with bank-beating exchange rates.
Xe
Within minutes
£2
SPECIAL OFFER ✓ £25 Amazon voucher when you refer a friend

View details
Xe has fast transfers with low fees and a range of foreign currency tools.
PassTo
Within minutes
From £0.99

View details
No fees on your first transfer. Refer 3 friends to PassTo and earn £50 once they each make a transfer of at least £200. They'll earn £5 too. T&Cs apply.
PassTo specialises in remittances to bank accounts and cash pickup locations in 45+ countries.
Atlantic Money
Within minutes
£3

View details
Remitly
Within minutes
From £1.49
SPECIAL OFFER ✓ Get £10 off with code FINDER

View details
Remitly has quick, affordable transfers around the world, with both express and economy options.
CurrencyFair
24 hours
£2.50

View details
Special offer: New customers get unlimited fee-free transfers for their first 3 months. T&Cs apply.
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
Revolut
Within minutes
From £0
SPECIAL OFFER ✓ Sign up and get a free £10 top-up plus 1 month of Revolut Premium

View details
Sign up with Finder to get 3 months of Revolut Premium for free. T&Cs apply.
Revolut is a digital bank that sends money fast to 30+ currencies, often with no fee added to the exchange rate.
WorldRemit
Within minutes
From £1.99
SPECIAL OFFER ✓ Use promo code 4FREEFINDER to send your first 4 transfers with no fee. Conditions apply.

View details
WorldRemit sends money to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposits, cash pick-ups or mobile top-ups.
OFX
24 hours
£0

View details
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
TorFX Business
24 hours
£0

View details
TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
Currencies Direct Business
24 hours
£0
SPECIAL OFFER ✓ https://www.currenciesdirect.com/en/info/refer-a-friend

View details
CurrenciesDirect makes transferring money abroad simple with bank-beating exchange rates.
OFX Business
24 hours
£0

View details
OFX has no maximum limit transfers, with competitive exchange rates for 45+ currencies.
CurrencyFair Business
24 hours
£2.50

View details
Special offer: Zero fees on your first 10 transfers.
CurrencyFair has bank-beating exchange rates and fast transfer times on 15+ popular currencies.
WorldFirst Business
24 hours
£0

View details
WorldFirst sends 60+ currencies at competitive rates with no fees. If you find a better eligible quote, WorldFirst will beat it.
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What types of transfers can I make with HSBC?

  • International transfers. Send up to £50,000 from your HSBC account to other people, businesses and financial institutions around the world. Initiate a transfer through your online account, completing an online transfer request form with your recipient’s name, address and bank account number. You’ll also need to supply your recipient bank’s routing number or SWIFT code.
  • Global Transfers. HSBC Premier and Advance account holders can use HSBC’s Global Transfers, which allows you to send up to USD$200,000 (roughly £150,000) per transaction per day between your eligible HSBC deposit account and your HSBC accounts throughout the world. No fees are attached to these transfers, and you can initiate them by logging on to your personal internet banking account.

Whichever option you choose, HSBC transfers the funds to your recipient’s account as soon as possible. International transfer requests received by 4.15pm are processed on the same day, while transfers requested after 4.15pm are processed the next business day.

Pros and cons of using HSBC

Pros

  • Trusted global bank. HSBC is one of the biggest banks in the world.
  • Secure and convenient. Whether you’re sending HSBC Global Transfers or an international transfer, HSBC’s international money transfer solutions are safe and easy.
  • Same-day transfers. International transfers initiated before 4.15pm are processed by HSBC on the same day.

Cons

  • International transfer fees. You’ll need to pay a service fee for each international transfer you send to a non-HSBC account or an HSBC account that doesn’t belong to you. Check the pre-payment and receipt disclosures associated with your account to confirm the fee you’ll pay for each transaction.
  • Security device. You may be required to get an HSBC security device that requires two-factor authentication to make a transfer. You have the option of using a digital device via the HSBC mobile banking app or a portable physical one.

Customer service

If you need to get in touch with HSBC about a transfer abroad you can chat with a representative online, call 020 7991 7414 or tweet @HSBC_UK (but don’t tweet any personal account info).

HSBC SWIFT/BIC information

Bank nameSWIFT/BICBank addressRecipient’s nameRecipient’s account number
HSBC BankMIDLGB228 Canada Square, London, United Kingdom, E14 5HQBeneficiary’s name as it appears on the bank statementComplete bank account number

What is HSBC?

Established in London by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in 1991, HSBC Holdings is a multinational financial services provider with roots dating back to the 1860s. The third-largest bank in the world in terms of assets, HSBC has operations across 80 countries and territories around the world.

HSBC has more than eight million customers across the UK, from retail and commercial banking to wealth management, asset management and more. HSBC Bank has more than 600 branches throughout the UK.

What other products does HSBC offer?

  • Current and saving accounts. Manage your ongoing financial needs, from basic accounts with essential features right through to high-end accounts that help you get more out of your money.
  • Credit and debit cards. Whether you’re looking for a platinum-level rewards card or a basic card for emergency purchases, you’ll find a card with HSBC.
  • International banking solutions. HSBC offers a wide range of international banking services, from international mortgages to helping those who are relocating overseas.
  • Mortgages and home equity loans. Own your next home sooner or take advantage of the equity in your current property with a range of flexible mortgage solutions.
  • Investment products. Invest in mutual funds, fixed-income products, ETFs, equities and more with help from HSBC.
  • Insurance. HSBC offers life insurance, long-term-care coverage and disability insurance.

Bottom line

Whatever the reason you need to transfer funds across international borders, HSBC offers two money transfer options worth considering. However, before you decide on the right solution to your funds transfer needs, compare the features and benefits of a range of providers.

Frequently asked questions

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  • Apps like Ria

    Find iPhone and Android alternatives to the popular Ria app for overseas transfers.

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  • Apps like Xoom

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4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    SarahDecember 29, 2017

    Hello, my client has a HSBC account and wants to do a money transfer to my bank account in Korea. Since I have several accounts of different korean banks, I would like to know which korean bank should I give my client so that he doesn’t have to pay the correspondance fee. Last time, he sent the money to Shinhan bank and there was a trasnfer fee and correspondance fee from Deutsche bank that was required.

      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      ArnoldDecember 30, 2017Staff

      Hi Sarah,

      Thanks for your inquiry

      I’m afraid we cannot recommend specific banks. It would be best to speak directly with your banks and inquire about their international money transfer fees. Ultimately, it would be up to you to choose the bank that meets your needs.

      Hope this information helps

      Cheers,
      Arnold

    Default Gravatar
    JoyJuly 16, 2017

    Is it possible to transfer money from Bangladesh to Canada ?

      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      MayJuly 17, 2017Staff

      Hi Joy,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      If you have a bank account with HSBC in Bangladesh and would want to do a money transfer to another bank or HSBC account in Canada, yes, you can. Please organise your transfer via online banking and log into your account. Fees and rates will be specified in your transfer. For all your other inquiries, please get in touch with HSBC Bangladesh directly.

      Cheers,
      May

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