International payment delayed
Why do international business payments get delayed?
If your international payment is running late, it's often waiting longer at one stage in the bank chain than you were told to expect. Cross-border transfers don't just hop across borders, they pass through extra banks, get checked more closely, and may pause along the way.
Most hold-ups are straightforward and sort themselves out in a couple of business days. Sometimes, though, you need to step in by sending extra information or fixing a detail in the payment order.
Common causes and what to check first
- Cut-off times: if the instruction arrived late, your bank began processing it on the next business day.
- Bank holidays: a day off either where you're sending from or where the currency is settled may freeze progress.
- Compliance checks: banks screen transfers under anti-money-laundering and sanctions rules, so some payments pause for review. You might be asked about the reason for the transfer; you'll find this covered in our purpose of payment codes guide.
- Intermediary banks: sometimes, a correspondent bank holds funds or applies a deduction.
- Wrong details: a missed digit in the account number, an incorrect BIC, or a name mismatch can trigger extra steps or even a return.
Example: a payment held for a purpose check
Here's a typical case: a UK firm pays an overseas supplier, but the payment sits for another two business days. The reason? The purpose field just said “invoice.” After the company submits the contract reference and a clearer explanation of what they’re paying for, the bank lets the payment go through. The snag here wasn't the amount or the route, just the description.
What to do at each step of a delay
- Check the send time against your bank’s daily cut-off and look up any holidays in both countries.
- Use the payment reference to track progress, and contact your bank to see where it's being held. Our guide to SWIFT gpi tracking explains tracking in more detail.
- If a bank requests documents, reply without delay and give them exactly what they ask for.
- If the payment still hasn't arrived after the window your bank gave, request a trace.
- If details were incorrect, don't send the payment again unless your bank confirms the first is completely cancelled or returned.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an international business payment take?
Timing varies by route, by currency and by the banks each transfer passes through. Some international payments show up in a couple of business days, but reviews or holidays may add time. It’s best to ask your bank exactly how long your particular transaction should need, and to follow up if the payment's overdue.
Should I send the payment again if it is delayed?
Best not to resend without checking. Duplicating a payment can cause more problems while the first may still arrive. Have your bank trace the original first; only send a new payment if they confirm it’s missing or has come back.