Chase's international wire fee is $15 for outgoing wires sent through their standard service
Chase charges a flat $15 fee for each outgoing international wire transfer you send. This fee applies whether you wire $100 or $10,000. The fee is deducted from your account when you initiate the transfer, separate from any currency conversion costs or fees the receiving bank may charge.
The $15 fee covers Chase's processing of your wire. It does not include intermediary bank fees — banks between Chase and the recipient's bank may take additional cuts, which can range from $10 to $50 depending on the countries involved and the receiving bank's policies. Those fees typically come out of the amount the recipient gets, not from your account.
Chase also charges to receive international wires into your account: $15 per incoming wire. If someone sends you money from abroad, Chase will deduct $15 when the wire arrives. Some other banks waive incoming wire fees, so this is worth comparing if you receive international transfers regularly.
Key Takeaways
- Chase charges $15 to send an international wire and $15 to receive one, with no variation based on the amount transferred.
- Intermediary banks between Chase and the recipient's bank may charge additional fees that reduce what the recipient receives.
- The fee is separate from currency conversion markups, which Chase applies at their own exchange rate.
- Other banks and money transfer services often charge less for international wires, so comparing costs matters for frequent transfers.
When the $15 fee applies and when it does not
The $15 outgoing fee applies to wires sent through Chase's standard international wire service. This is the most common route for customers sending money abroad from a checking or savings account.
Some Chase accounts include perks that may reduce or waive wire fees. Chase Private Client accounts, for example, sometimes waive wire fees as part of their premium service package. If you have a high-balance account or a business relationship with Chase, ask your banker whether wire fees are waived. The only way to know is to ask directly — Chase does not advertise these exceptions widely.
Incoming wires always incur the $15 fee unless you have a specific account type or relationship that waives it. There is no way to avoid the incoming fee on your end; the sender cannot pay it for you.
How the fee compares to other banks and transfer services
Chase's $15 outgoing wire fee is in the middle of the market. Bank of America and Wells Fargo charge the same amount. Smaller banks and credit unions sometimes charge $10 to $20. Some online banks charge $0 for outgoing international wires, though they may limit the number of free wires per month or require a minimum balance.
If you send international wires regularly, specialist money transfer services like Wise, OFX, or Remitly often charge less than banks and offer better exchange rates. Wise, for example, charges a percentage of the amount transferred (usually 1–2%) rather than a flat fee, which can be cheaper for large transfers. For small amounts under $500, the flat fee at a bank is often better. For amounts over $2,000, a percentage-based service may save you money.
The real cost difference is often in the exchange rate, not the fee. Chase applies a markup to the mid-market exchange rate — the rate you see on financial news sites. Specialist services typically charge a smaller markup. On a $5,000 transfer, the exchange rate difference can easily exceed the wire fee itself.
How to send an international wire through Chase
You can initiate an international wire through Chase's online banking portal, the mobile app, or by calling a branch. Online is fastest — you can start a wire in minutes if you have the recipient's banking details ready.
You will need the recipient's full name, their bank account number or IBAN (International Bank Account Number), the bank's name and address, and the bank's SWIFT code (an 8- or 11-character code that identifies banks internationally). If any detail is wrong, the wire may be rejected or delayed, and Chase may charge a fee to cancel or amend it.
Processing time varies. Wires sent before 2 p.m. ET on a business day typically arrive within one to two business days, though some countries take longer. Wires sent on weekends or holidays are processed the next business day. The receiving bank's processing speed also matters — some banks are faster than others.
Fees for canceling or changing a wire
Once a wire is sent, you cannot always cancel it. If the wire has already left Chase's system, it is in the hands of intermediary banks and the receiving bank, and cancellation is difficult or impossible.
If you catch the wire before it leaves — usually within minutes of sending it — Chase may be able to cancel it at no charge. If the wire has already been transmitted and you want to cancel or amend it, Chase typically charges $20 to $30 to attempt a recall. There is no may provide the receiving bank will comply, so you may pay the fee and still not recover the money.
This is why getting the recipient's details right the first time matters. Double-check the SWIFT code and account number before you send.
Currency conversion and hidden costs
The $15 wire fee is not the only cost. Chase applies an exchange rate markup when converting your dollars to the recipient's currency. This markup is typically 1–2% above the mid-market rate, though it varies by currency and account type.
On a $5,000 wire to Europe, a 1.5% markup could cost you $75 in addition to the $15 wire fee. That $90 total is what makes comparing services worthwhile for larger transfers. Specialist money transfer services often have smaller markups, sometimes under 0.5%.
Intermediary banks may also charge fees that reduce the amount the recipient gets. These fees are not charged to you directly — they come out of the money in transit. The recipient may receive $50 to $200 less than you sent, depending on how many banks handle the wire and their fee structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid the $15 fee by having the money picked up at a Chase branch abroad?
No. The $15 fee applies to the wire transfer itself, not to how the recipient accesses the money. If you send a wire to a Chase branch in another country, the recipient can pick it up there, but you still pay the $15 outgoing fee. Some banks offer this as a free service, so it is worth asking if you are sending to a country where Chase has branches.
Does Chase charge a fee if the wire is rejected?
Chase does not charge the $15 wire fee if the wire is rejected before it leaves their system. However, if the wire is rejected by an intermediary bank or the receiving bank after it has been transmitted, you may not get the fee back. Ask Chase whether the fee will be refunded if the wire fails.
What is the difference between a wire and an ACH transfer?
ACH transfers are domestic only and take three to five business days. Wires are international and arrive in one to two days. Chase charges $0 for outgoing ACH transfers but $15 for international wires. If you are sending money within the U.S., ACH is cheaper and faster enough for most purposes.
Will Chase refund the fee if the recipient's bank charges an additional fee?
No. Chase's $15 fee is for their service. Fees charged by the receiving bank or intermediary banks are separate, and Chase does not refund their fee because another bank charged one. This is why it is important to ask the recipient what fees their bank charges for incoming wires.
Is there a limit to how much I can wire internationally?
Chase does not publish a single wire limit — it depends on your account type, history, and relationship with the bank. New accounts may have lower limits than established ones. Business accounts may have different limits than personal accounts. Call your branch or log into online banking to see your limit, or ask to increase it if you need to send a large wire.