Who is Responsible for Paying Bank Transfer Fees?

Yuxuan

2026-01-20 14:28:50

The buyer (importer) is fully responsible for paying all bank charges associated with the international wire transfer. This is a standard practice in international trade to ensure the seller (Yuxuan Company) receives the exact, net invoice amount. Any deduction due to bank fees will result in a payment shortfall, delaying order processing and shipment until the full amount is settled.

Standard Payment Terms: "OUR" Charges

Our payment terms explicitly state that all transactions are conducted on an "OUR" basis. This means:

You (the remitter) bear the charges of your local bank, any intermediary (correspondent) banks, and our receiving bank.
We (the beneficiary) must receive 100% of the invoice amount into our account.

You must explicitly instruct your bank to apply the "OUR" option when initiating the transfer. The alternative terms "SHA" (shared) or "BEN" (beneficiary) are not acceptable as they will lead to a shortfall in our received funds.

Estimated Bank Fee Ranges by Region

Bank fees vary significantly depending on the country, banks involved, transfer amount, and currency. The table below provides estimated total fee ranges for transfers from our key client regions to China. These are estimates for reference only; you must confirm the exact cost with your bank.

Originating Region	Typical Fee Range (Total Cost)	Fee Structure & Components	Tips to Minimize Costs
Africa	$40 - $150+ USD	Local Bank Fee: Often a fixed fee + a percentage of the amount. Intermediary Bank Fees: Typically 1-3 intermediary banks charge $15-$40 each, as many African banks lack direct relationships with Chinese banks. Receiving Bank Fee: Our bank in China may charge a small fixed fee ($10-$25).	Use a major international bank with a presence in China (e.g., Standard Chartered, Citibank). Consolidate payments to make fewer, larger transfers. Confirm the full cost breakdown with your bank upfront.
Middle East	$25 - $70 USD	Local Bank Fee: Usually a moderate fixed fee. Intermediary Bank Fees: Often only one intermediary is involved due to strong banking ties between GCC and China. Fee ~$20-$30. Receiving Bank Fee: Standard fixed fee.	GCC currencies (AED, SAR) often have efficient, lower-cost corridors to USD/CNY. Online banking platforms from major UAE banks sometimes offer preferential rates for international transfers.
Central Asia	$30 - $90 USD	Local Bank Fee: Fixed or percentage-based fee. Intermediary Bank Fees: Payments may route through Russian or European banks, adding 1-2 intermediary charges. Currency Conversion: If transferring from local currency (e.g., KZT, UZS), the bank's exchange rate margin is an additional hidden cost.	If possible, pay directly from a USD account to avoid double conversion. Ask your bank about their most direct correspondent banking route to China.
Southeast Asia	$20 - $60 USD	Local Bank Fee: Generally low, especially for online transfers. Intermediary Bank Fees: Often minimal, as many Southeast Asian banks have direct relationships with Chinese banks. Receiving Bank Fee: Standard fee applies.	Use your bank's online foreign transfer service, which is often cheaper than branch service. Singapore (SGD) and Malaysia (MYR) transfers are typically very cost-efficient.

Critical Instructions for Your Bank Transfer

To avoid payment delays, you must provide clear instructions to your bank:

Select Charge Type: Clearly state: "All bank charges are for the remitter's account (OUR)."
Calculate Total Send Amount: The amount you send must be: [Invoice Amount] + [Estimated Total Bank Fees]. Send the combined total.
Verify Beneficiary Details: Double-check our account name, number, and SWIFT code. Incorrect details cause rejection and forfeiture of fees.
Request a Cost Breakdown: Ask your bank for a written estimate of the total fees (local + correspondent + receiving) before authorizing the transfer.

What Happens if There is a Payment Shortfall?

If we receive less than the full invoice amount due to deducted fees, we will:

Immediately notify you of the shortfall amount.
Place all order and shipment activities on hold until the shortfall is settled.
Request an additional transfer to cover the missing amount. Note that this second transfer will also incur its own bank fees.

To prevent this situation, overestimating the required fee amount slightly is always safer than underestimating it.

Final Recommendation: Always budget for bank transfer fees as a separate, necessary cost of your vehicle import. Contact your bank at the start of the transaction to understand their exact fee structure for international wires to China.