How is a bank transfer made from the United States to Mexico?

Sending money from the United States to Mexico seems simple until the bank asks for a SWIFT code, a CLABE account number, and charges you a $45 fee. This article explains how each method works, what information you need in each case, and how much you will actually pay.

To send money from the U.S. to Mexico via bank transfer, you have three options: wire transfer via SWIFT, ACH, and digital remittance services. To deposit into a bank account, all three require the recipient's CLABE number (18 digits), their full name, and the destination bank. The difference lies in the cost, speed, and number of steps. With a remittance service like Félix, the recipient can also receive funds in a wallet or in cash, without a bank account.

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What methods exist for making a bank transfer from the U.S. to Mexico?

When someone in the United States wants to send money to a bank account in Mexico, they have three main routes: wire transfer (SWIFT), ACH transfer, and digital remittance apps. Each has different requirements, different costs, and different delivery times.

The choice isn't just about price: it depends on whether the recipient has a bank account in Mexico, how much money you need to send, and how fast it needs to arrive.

To send money to a bank account in Mexico from the U.S., the recipient always needs to provide their CLABE number: an 18-digit code that uniquely identifies their account in the Mexican banking system.

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How does a wire transfer (SWIFT) from a U.S. bank to Mexico work?

A wire transfer is the traditional international bank transfer. It travels through the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) network, which connects financial institutions around the world.

To do this from a U.S. bank, you need to gather the following information from the recipient:

• Full name of the account holder, exactly as it appears at the bank
• 18-digit CLABE number (not the card number, not the 10 or 11-digit account number: the interbank CLABE)
• Name of the receiving bank in Mexico (for example, BBVA, Banorte, HSBC Mexico)
• SWIFT code of the Mexican bank. Each Mexican bank's SWIFT code is available on the bank's official website or at a branch. Never use a SWIFT code from an unofficial source.

Once you have those details, go to your U.S. bank (in person or via the banking app), initiate an international transfer, enter the information, and authorize the transaction.

Wire transfer cost: U.S. banks charge between $25 and $50 per outgoing transfer (check the exact fee with your bank). In addition, the bank applies its own exchange rate, which is usually less favorable than the market exchange rate. The actual cost of the transfer may be higher than it seems if you only look at the fee.

Time: between 1 and 3 business days, although some banks process on the same day if the transfer is made before the cutoff time.

To find out the bank's SWIFT code for the recipient in Mexico, you can check it directly on the Mexican bank's website or ask the recipient.

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What is the CLABE and why is it mandatory for receiving transfers in Mexico?

The CLABE (Standardized Banking Code) is an 18-digit number that the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) established as the standard for identifying bank accounts in the country's interbank payment system. Without this number, no bank in Mexico can receive an international or domestic transfer.

It is not the same as the debit card number (which has 16 digits) or the account number that appears on the bank statement. The CLABE is the correct number for transfers.

The recipient can find their CLABE in:

• Their bank's app ("my account" or "account details" section)
• The monthly bank statement
• At a branch, by asking the teller

To fully understand the difference between these numbers, the article difference between account number and interbank account explains each one in detail.

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How does an international ACH transfer to Mexico work?

ACH (Automated Clearing House) transfers are the U.S. domestic electronic payment system. In their standard version, they only work within U.S. territory (they use the bank's routing number, not a SWIFT code). However, some banks and payment processors in the U.S. offer international ACH to Mexico through direct agreements with Mexican banks.

This option is not available at all banks and conditions vary. When it exists, the cost may be lower than a wire transfer, but the processing time is usually 2 to 5 business days.

For regular transfers to Mexico, most people using traditional banking channels end up using wire transfers or, more frequently, digital apps that handle the process faster and more affordably.

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How much does it cost and how long does it take to send money to Mexico with Félix Pago?

Félix is a direct alternative to banks for sending money to Mexico from the U.S. It works entirely through WhatsApp, with no need to download an additional app.

The recipient can receive the money directly into their bank account in Mexico (they only need their CLABE, just like any bank transfer), in a wallet like Mercado Pago, Cuenta Nu, or Spin by Oxxo, or pick it up in cash.

Cost: $2.99 per transfer to a bank account in Mexico.

Delivery time: minutes in most cases.

Payment methods available for the sender: debit or credit card issued in the U.S. (except American Express), or cash at participating stores like Walmart, 7-Eleven, CVS, or Walgreens.

To compare Félix with other services in detail, you can view the article compare the most popular money transfer services to Mexico.

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What information do you need to make any type of transfer to Mexico?

Regardless of the method you choose, you will always need this basic information about the recipient:

• Full name (as it appears on their ID document)
• 18-digit CLABE number
• Name of the bank in Mexico

If you use a bank wire transfer, you also need:

• SWIFT code of the receiving bank in Mexico
• Address of the receiving bank (some U.S. banks require it)

The article What do I need to send money to Mexico? has a complete list organized by transfer method.

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Frequently asked questions

How much money can I send to Mexico via bank transfer?

Limits depend on the method. Traditional U.S. banks generally allow wire transfers of any amount, although they may request additional documentation for large amounts. Digital apps have their own limits. In the case of Félix, the monthly limit is $2,999 without verification and $9,999 with completed identity verification. For more details on limits by service, see How much money can be sent to Mexico per month?

Can I send money to Mexico if I don't have a U.S. bank account?

Yes. Some remittance services, including Félix, allow you to pay with cash at physical stores. The money still arrives in the recipient's bank account in Mexico.

Does the recipient pay any taxes for receiving the transfer?

In Mexico, remittances received by individuals are generally not subject to income tax (ISR). The article What are the taxes for receiving money from abroad? explains the current rules in detail.

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Sources and references

Bank of Mexico (Banxico)

• Banco de México: CLABE (Official definition and structure of the interbank CLABE number.)

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

• CFPB: International Money Transfers (Consumer rights when sending money internationally from the U.S.)

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Related content

• Compare the most popular money transfer services to Mexico
• Wire transfer vs. bank transfer: what is the difference?
• ACH transfers: what are they and how do they differ from bank transfers?
• Difference between account number and interbank account
• How much money can be sent to Mexico per month?
• What do I need to send money to Mexico?