HSBC international money transfers

HSBC is one of the most trusted banks worldwide. Established in 1875, it has been serving the banking industry for 150 years and has established operations in 58 countries¹ around the globe. With its extensive global reach and online accessibility, HSBC is a reliable choice for international banking services, especially for customers who live, work, or do business across borders.

HSBC international money transfers can be convenient, but are they affordable in 2025? In this article, we'll walk you through how HSBC international bank transfers work, including the steps to send money overseas, the transfer fees and limits, delivery times, and any hidden costs you should be aware of.

How to send money internationally with HSBC

HSBC has a global presence, making it easy to send money to another country through its banking network. If you have an HSBC account, you can conveniently transfer money using their mobile app or online banking site wherever you are, whenever you need to. For wire transfers and international payments, HSBC local branches may also process your transaction.

HSBC Global Money Transfers

Transferring between HSBC accounts in different countries is the best way to send money abroad with no transfer fees. It’s free, quick, and easy. 

To use this service, you’ll need an HSBC account in the U.S. and another HSBC account in any of the 26 markets HSBC serves². You’ll also need online banking access for both accounts. If both you and the person you’re sending money to have HSBC accounts in different countries, Global Transfers may be the fastest and cheapest option. Your money moves almost instantly, and you won’t pay any transfer fees.

HSBC Mobile Banking App

HSBC account holders can maintain their accounts and make transactions 24/7 using the bank’s mobile app. If you’re eligible for international banking services, you can send money to HSBC and non-HSBC accounts in more than 200 countries using over 50 different currencies.² 

Here’s how to send money using the app:³

1. Log in to your HSBC account.
2. Go to Accounts → Move Money → Send money internationally.
3. Select “Send to a new payee” to add the recipient to your list of payees.
4. Scroll through the list of countries and select your recipient’s location.
5. Specify the transfer amount and check the conversion details to your payee’s currency.
6. Enter the bank details and personal information of your recipient.
7. Review the details.
8. Tap “Continue” to complete the transaction.

In some cases, you may be asked to provide the purpose of the payment and other details. Once you have confirmed the transaction, you’ll receive a confirmation message.

International wire transfer⁴

Want to send money to a non-HSBC bank account? You can use a wire transfer from your HSBC online banking or mobile app. This works in 18 currencies and goes to banks all over the world.

To send a wire transfer, you’ll need:

• Your HSBC account details
• The full name and address of the person receiving the money
• Their bank’s name and address
• Their bank account number or IBAN
• Bank code (like SWIFT or routing number)
• The reason for the transfer
• The amount to send

Make sure to double-check all your details. If you enter the wrong account number or bank code, your money could be delayed or even lost.

To send an HSBC wire transfer online:

1. Log in to online banking with your HSBC security device⁵
2. Go to the Useful links section and click Wires
3. Choose the HSBC account you want to send money from
4. Select Wires/Real-Time Payments in the "To" section
5. Choose an existing payee or set up a new one
6. Follow the steps to add payee details and enter the amount
7. Choose the date for the transfer (now, later, or recurring)
8. Review everything and confirm the payment

HSBC international transfer fees^2,4,7

Does HSBC charge for international transfers? Not all the time.
HSBC Global Money Transfers, for instance, do not incur charges when transfers are made between HSBC accounts. Wire transfers from HSBC accounts are also not charged HSBC transfer fees. However, there may be currency conversion markups, intermediary bank fees, and other charges. 

Transfer limits and delivery times^2,4,8

When you use HSBC to send money overseas, the recipient typically gets access to funds within 1 to 5 business days. Most transfers are completed in 2 to 24 hours, especially global money transfers processed online. However, international wire transfers may take up to 7 days to post.

Although transfer times are longer than other money transfer service providers like Wise, Revolut, or BOSS Money, HSBC has higher transfer limits. You can send up to $50,000 per day to friends, family, or your own HSBC accounts abroad and up to $250,000 per day to non-HSBC banks abroad.

Keep in mind, though, that some countries may have their own restrictions on the amount that can be received from international transfers.

Hidden costs to watch for

While some transactions do not incur any HSBC international transfer fee, there may be other charges for international money transfers. Before and after your transaction is processed, keep an eye out for these:

• Exchange rates or spreads. For transfers between different currencies, banks charge a currency conversion fee equivalent to a percentage of the transaction amount. There may also be exchange rate markups that affect the actual rate used in your specific transfer.

• Intermediary bank fees. In some countries, HSBC works with intermediaries to complete the money transfer. The intermediaries typically have separate charges that may be deducted from or added to the amount you send.

• Receiving bank charges. Some banks also charge fees for receiving international money transfers. When this happens, your recipient may get a lower amount than what you sent. 

Although these fees are common in international transactions, sometimes they aren’t clearly disclosed. For instance, a Reddit user shared an unfortunate experience when he transferred money between HSBC and Wise.¹⁰ The Redditor was allegedly charged a $25 fee apart from the $7 HSBC charged before the transfer. The fee was not disclosed before the confirmation, so he was surprised to see that only $975 reached his Wise account when HSBC deducted $1,007 from his account. What’s puzzling is that both institutions are claiming that the other party charged the fee.

To avoid situations like this, always read the fine print and check transfer details before confirming a transaction. 

Receiving international payments with HSBC

HSBC does not charge transfer fees, but there may be applicable charges when receiving international payments through your HSBC account.² These rates vary depending on the account type and transfer details, so it’s best to contact your branch and ask which fees apply to you.

You’ll also need to make sure you have the following information for HSBC when receiving money from abroad:

• HSBC routing numbers
  - U.S. (ABA or ACH)
  - International (CHIPS or SWIFT code)
• HSBC address

Pros and cons of using HSBC for international transfers

Still not sure whether to use HSBC to transfer money abroad? Here are the pros and cons you can weigh to decide if it’s the right option for you.

Best alternatives to HSBC for international money transfers

BOSS Money, with its easy account setup and low fees, provides a great alternative to HSBC. With BOSS Money, you only need one government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, to create an account and send money abroad.

You also benefit from its value-added services:

• Transparent fees. With BOSS Money, you’ll see all the charges before you send the money. There are no hidden costs, and you’ll know exactly how much the recipient will get after all the fees have been deducted.

• Competitive exchange rates. BOSS Money uses close to mid-market exchange rates to give you the most value for your money.

• $0 fee on first transfers. When you sign up with BOSS Money, your first two transfers are free of charge. You may also enjoy exclusive discounts and rates during promotions.

• Instant delivery. Most transfers are completed within minutes. Your recipient would be able to get the funds in cash pickup locations, their bank accounts, or mobile wallets within the same day you send the money.

• Real-time tracking. Through the BOSS Money app, you can track the transfer from the time you confirm the transaction to the moment the recipient gets it.

Final thoughts: Is HSBC the best way to send money abroad in 2025?

HSBC is a great option for sending money abroad if you and your recipient both have HSBC accounts and online banking access. However, opening an HSBC account entails several documentary requirements, including an SSN, utility bills, and proof of permanent address. Most accounts also have a minimum deposit and a minimum maintaining balance.

If you are looking for a better way to manage your international payments and a more accessible way to send money to your family abroad, a more flexible money transfer service provider like BOSS Money may be the ideal option. 

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of June 18, 2025

1. https://www.hsbc.com/who-we-are/our-markets

2. https://www.us.hsbc.com/international-banking/global-money-transfers/

3. https://www.us.hsbc.com/content/dam/hsbc/us/en_us/video-transcripts/hsbc-transcripts-global-money-transfers-international.pdf

4. https://www.us.hsbc.com/international-banking/international-payments/

5. https://www.us.hsbc.com/online-banking/security-device/

6. https://www.us.hsbc.com/online-banking/move-money/move-money-faqs/

7. https://www.us.hsbc.com/international-banking/global-money-transfers/faq/#general

8. https://www.us.hsbc.com/international-banking/global-view-and-global-transfers/

9. https://www.us.hsbc.com/checking-accounts/products/premier/

10. https://www.reddit.com/r/UKPersonalFinance/comments/1bp88oa/charged_undisclosed_fee_on_transfer_between_hsbc/

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.