International payments are an essential lever for French companies importing or exporting. Yet they remain a source of complexity: hidden fees, delays, exchange rate fluctuations, regulatory compliance... In 2025, the landscape of cross-border transactions is changing rapidly with the rise of fintechs, digitalization and new regulations.
What are the best payment methods for international trade? How can you reduce costs and optimize the management of financial flows? This guide will help you navigate this world and avoid costly mistakes.
In an interconnected world, companies need to be able to pay their suppliers and collect their payments without incurring delays or additional costs. Behind a simple foreign transfer, there are many issues at stake.
- Cost: A foreign currency transfer involves fixed charges, an exchange rate commission and sometimes hidden fees. Some banks charge up to 50 euros per transaction.
- Delays: A payment can be executed in a matter of seconds or take several days, depending on the method used. The SWIFT network, although used worldwide, suffers from delays due to multiple intermediary banks.
- Security and compliance: Companies must comply with anti-money laundering obligations (KYC, LCB-FT).
Optimizing international payments is more than just a transaction. It's a strategic lever for improving cash flow, reducing costs and securing operations.
The choice of payment method depends on the country, currency, amount and degree of urgency. Here are the most common solutions in 2025.
Bank transfers are the most widely used solution for international B2B payments.
- The SEPA credit transfer is ideal for euro transactions within the 36 countries of the SEPA zone. It's fast (24 to 48 hours), inexpensive and secure. By 2025, SEPA instant transfers will be widespread, enabling immediate transfers 24 hours a day.
- The SWIFT (or Non-SEPA) transfer is essential for payments in currencies outside the euro zone. It links over 11,000 banks in 200 countries, but involves higher charges and processing times of up to five days.
For companies with recurring foreign currency transactions, opening a multi-currency account helps to avoid unnecessary conversions and benefit from better rates.
Credit and debit cards are convenient for fast payments, especially in B2B and B2C. However, they have several limitations.
- High fees : Transactions in foreign currencies incur commissions, often between 1.5% and 3%.
- Payment limits: Not suitable for large amounts.
Fintechs specializing in international payments are expanding rapidly, offering alternatives to traditional banks.
These platforms offer solutions with low fees and simplified currency management:
- Lower cost than banks
- Real-time currency conversion with more competitive rates
- Integration with accounting software
However, many of these platforms impose restrictions on the amounts or geographical areas covered.
Blockchain-based payments are gradually establishing themselves as an alternative to traditional payments.
- Stablecoins: Cryptocurrencies backed by fiat currencies (USDT, USDC, EURC) enable fast, virtually free transactions.
- Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC): The European Union plans to launch the digital euro by 2027, while China is already using its digital yuan for cross-border payments.
By 2026, 75% of large companies plan to integrate blockchain into their transactions. However, regulatory uncertainties are still holding back their adoption.
Each payment method has its advantages and disadvantages.
- SEPA: fast and cost-effective in euros
- SWIFT : essential for foreign exchange, but costly and slow
- Fintechs: flexible and competitive but sometimes limited
- Blockchain : promising but still unregulated and complex to set up
Cross-border payments are far more than a simple transfer of money. Behind every transaction lie financial risks, hidden costs and regulatory hurdles. Here are the main mistakes to avoid.
An international transfer may seem trivial, but bank charges can quickly add up. In addition to fixed charges, some banks apply a margin on the exchange rate, which is sometimes difficult to identify.
- A payment of €50,000 in dollars can generate a difference of several hundred euros, depending on the bank chosen.
- Some platforms charge a reception fee for incoming transfers in foreign currencies.
Solution: Compare offers from banks and fintechs, check for hidden fees and give preference to solutions with full transparency on conversion rates.
The processing time for an international payment varies according to the method used and the banks involved.
- A SEPA credit transfer is usually executed within 24 to 48 hours, or even instantaneously.
- SWIFT transfers can take up to five working days, particularly if intermediary banks are involved.
- Additional delays may occur in the event of public holidays in the beneficiary's country.
Solution : Anticipate delays, use instant transfers when available, and check the business days of the corresponding banks before making a payment.
Currency fluctuations can have a considerable impact on transaction costs.
- Between January and September 2024, the euro fluctuated between 5% and 10% against the dollar, resulting in significant cost differentials for importers and exporters.
- A company that fails to hedge its currency risks can see its profitability affected by unforeseen fluctuations.
Solution: Use forward contracts or currency options to fix a rate in advance and avoid unpleasant surprises.
International payments must comply with strict rules, particularly in terms of anti-money laundering (KYC, LCB-FT) and tax compliance.
- Since 2025, European companies have had to declare the carbon emissions linked to their imports under the MACF CBAM scheme .
- Banks and fintechs apply transaction verification procedures to prevent financial risks and fraud.
Solution: Ensure that its transactions comply with local and international regulations, and use automated tools to simplify the monitoring of tax and environmental obligations.
Reducing costs, speeding up lead times and securing payments requires the adoption of best practices and appropriate solutions.
Not all payment solutions are created equal. To avoid excessive charges and benefit from the best conditions, it's crucial to evaluate several criteria before choosing a provider.
- Traditional banks: suitable for large transactions, but often more costly and slower.
- Fintechs and online platforms: flexible, fast and often more economical for foreign currency payments.
- Blockchain and stablecoin solutions: still emerging but promising for instant, low-cost payments.
Check foreign currency transfer fees, exchange rates and any hidden charges to optimize transactions.
Instant SEPA transfers and local currency payments speed up transactions and reduce costs.
- By using local partner banks, companies can avoid the costs associated with intermediary banks.
- Some providers, such as Keewe, offer payment in local currencies at no extra cost, making it easier to do business with foreign suppliers.
Manual payment management can lead to errors, delays and a lack of visibility over financial flows.
- Companies that automate their payments reduce their processing costs by 30-50%.
- The integration of a multi-currency management solution enables real-time monitoring of payments, exchange rates and cash flow.
Platforms like Keewe offer automated payment management, simplified access to exotic currencies and full cost transparency.
Optimizing international payments requires the right strategy:
- Anticipate delays and currency fluctuations.
- Compare service providers to avoid hidden costs.
- Automate transactions for greater efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with new regulations.
In the next section, we'll look at how to choose the best solution for your needs and the innovations that will transform the industry in 2025.
With the rise of fintechs and changing regulations, companies need to be more strategic in their choice of international payment solution. The wrong choice can lead to hidden costs, delays or regulatory complications.
Traditional banks often charge high fixed fees, plus exchange rate margins and intermediary fees. By contrast, some fintechs offer more transparent solutions, with competitive conversion rates and no hidden fees.
A SWIFT transfer can quickly cost up to €50 in fixed charges, not to mention the costs associated with the corresponding banks. Online payment platforms reduce these costs by offering interbank rates adjusted in real time.
The right thing to do: Always compare offers and opt for a solution that clearly displays costs, particularly exchange rates.
An international payment can be instantaneous or take several days, depending on the method chosen.
- SEPA credit transfers are fast and inexpensive for euro transactions in Europe.
- The SWIFT network, although secure, can lead to delays of up to five working days , depending on the intermediary banks.
- Fintechs and alternative platforms often enable payments within a few hours, or even in real time for certain local currencies.
Processing delays can have a serious impact on a company's cash flow and slow down its operations. Good anticipation and the use of instant payments can avoid these inconveniences.
Companies operating internationally often have to juggle several currencies.
- A multi-currency account avoids unnecessary conversions and reduces fees.
- Payments in local currency avoid unfavorable exchange rates.
- A hedging strategy can protect against currency fluctuations.
For optimized management, it is essential to opt for a solution that offers access to a wide range of currencies, including exotic and emerging currencies.
Integration with accounting and ERP software facilitates payment tracking and optimizes cash management.
- Payment APIs automate transactions, reducing the risk of errors.
- Real-time visibility of incoming and outgoing payments improves cash management.
Companies should opt for solutions that are compatible with their existing tools, to avoid tedious and costly manual management.
International payments are undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by digitalization and new regulatory requirements.
SEPA Instant has established itself in Europe, enabling euro payments in less than 10 seconds, 24/7. SWIFT is also modernizing its network with SWIFT GPI, which reduces processing times and offers improved transaction traceability.
Companies now prefer these fast solutions, reducing their dependence on traditional SWIFT transfers.
Stablecoinssuch as USDC, USDT and EURC are becoming increasingly popular for cross-border payments.
- Instant transactions and lower costs than traditional banks.
- No dependence on traditional banking networks.
Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) such as the digital euro or the digital yuan could revolutionize the market in the next few years.
AI is revolutionizing payment management by offering predictive solutions.
- Real-time exchange rate optimization.
- Automatic detection of fraud and non-compliance risks.
Fintechs are increasingly integrating algorithms capable of reducing costs and improving the security of international payments.
Fintechs are constantly innovating with payments integrated directly into management tools.
- Direct access to interbank rates in real time.
- Foreign exchange risk management and automated recurring payments.
- Multi-currency solutions optimized for companies operating internationally.
Companies are increasingly adopting these platforms to simplify payment management and improve profitability.
Faced with the challenges of international payments, Keewe offers an innovative solution combining transparency, speed and security.
- Multi-currency payments with no hidden fees and ultra-competitive exchange rates.
- An intuitive interface and automated payments, integrated with companies' accounting and ERP tools.
Keewe distinguishes itself by enabling companies to increase efficiency, reduce transaction costs and comply with new environmental obligations by measuring the carbon footprint of payments.
Take action! Discover how Keewe can transform your international payment management and simplify your cash flow today.