Mercury

## What are the fees for international wire transfers and currency exchange through Mercury?

## Overview Mercury provides international payment services with a transparent fee structure that distinguishes between transfers sent in U.S. dollars and those requiring currency conversion. The platform's services are available exclusively to companies that are formed and have a legal address within the United States. All international transfers are processed using the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) network, with typical delivery times ranging from one to three business days. This approach offers an alternative to the often opaque and variable fee structures of traditional banking institutions. ## Key Features For international wire transfers sent in U.S. dollars (USD), Mercury offers two distinct processing options. The first is the 'Charges Shared' (SHA) model, which is the standard option and is free of charge from Mercury's side. Under the SHA model, Mercury covers its own outgoing fees, but any fees charged by intermediary banks in the SWIFT network or by the recipient's own bank are deducted from the transfer amount. This means the final amount received by the beneficiary may be less than the amount sent. The second option is the 'Charges Ours' (OUR) model, which is available for a flat fee of $15 per transaction. This premium option is designed to cover the fees of intermediary banks, thereby increasing the likelihood that the recipient receives the full, intended amount. However, even with the OUR option, Mercury does not cover or reimburse any fees that the recipient's bank may charge for accepting an incoming wire. The minimum amount for sending an international USD wire is $5.00. ## Technical Specifications For international payments that need to be delivered in a local currency other than USD, Mercury applies a flat, transparent 1% currency exchange fee. This fee is inclusive, meaning it covers both the cost of the currency conversion and any associated intermediary bank fees. This contrasts with many traditional banks, which may embed markups into the exchange rate in addition to charging separate wire fees. Mercury's transparent 1% fee provides businesses with predictability in their international payment costs. For very large currency exchanges, specifically those exceeding $200,000, Mercury advises customers to contact them directly to inquire about the possibility of custom pricing. ## How It Works Mercury's international payment services support a broad geographic reach, with the ability to send payments to over 160 countries and hold and send funds in more than 30 different currencies. However, there are explicit restrictions. Due to international sanctions and high-risk classifications, payments to certain countries and regions are blocked. As of early 2026, these blocked regions include Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Congo, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and sanctioned areas of Ukraine. Furthermore, there are eligibility restrictions based on the location of a company's beneficial owners; companies with physical addresses or beneficial owners in countries like Albania, Nigeria, and Pakistan are deemed ineligible for these services. While not universally specified, a transaction limit of up to $1,000,000 per wire is possible for many supported countries. ## Use Cases ## Limitations and Requirements In addition to wire transfers, non-USD transactions made using Mercury's debit and IO credit cards are also subject to an international transaction fee. This fee is based on the interchange rate and is non-refundable, even if the transaction is later reversed. ## Comparison to Alternatives ## Summary In conclusion, Mercury's fee structure for international payments is designed for transparency and cost-effectiveness. It offers free standard international USD wires (with potential third-party fees) and a premium $15 option to cover intermediary fees. For payments involving currency conversion, a straightforward 1% fee is applied. All transfers utilize the SWIFT network and are subject to geographic and eligibility restrictions. Businesses should always consider that recipient banks may impose their own fees, which are not covered by Mercury.