How to pay a supplier abroad: the short version
- Add dollars to your account. You can get paid from abroad or convert reais by Pix.
- Add your supplier's details.
- Choose how to send. You'll see the fee and timing before you confirm.
- Download the receipt in the app.
What it costs
With Ruvo, the cost depends on how you send and where the money comes from. For SWIFT from reais, for example, you pay a 1% fee plus US$25. If your business has higher volume, you can talk to our team about rates.
What it costs to send with Ruvo
| Method | From your dollar balance | From reais |
|---|---|---|
| ACH (US) | 0.5% | 1% |
| Wire (US) | 0.5% + US$15 | 1% + US$15 |
| SWIFT (other countries) | 0.5% + US$25 | 1% + US$25 |
Bank, platform or USD account: which to choose
- Bank or FX broker by SWIFT: a traditional route. Sending money abroad usually comes with 3.5% IOF, plus fees and the exchange rate.
- Payment platforms: they can help with certain currencies or countries. Compare the fee, the rate and what your supplier actually gets.
- A USD account like Ruvo: a good fit when your supplier takes dollars and you want to hold a dollar balance, with no IOF.
Here's what to compare in an international business account.
ACH, wire or SWIFT: which to use
- ACH: for suppliers with a US bank account. With Ruvo, it costs the least.
- Wire: also for US bank accounts, when your supplier asks for it.
- SWIFT: for suppliers in other countries. SWIFT payments are in USD for now, so make sure your supplier can receive dollars.
Want to learn more? See how SWIFT works.
How to work out the fee
- From your dollar balance: you pay a 0.5% fee, plus US$15 for a wire or US$25 for SWIFT.
- From reais: add 0.5% for the conversion, for a 1% fee plus the same flat amounts.
What details to get from your supplier
You'll usually need their name, address, bank and account number. For US accounts, also get the routing number. For other countries, get the SWIFT/BIC code and, if it applies, the IBAN. Double-check everything before you send, since a wrong detail can hold up the payment.
How to pay an international invoice
- Check the details: amount, currency, supplier name, bank details and due date.
- Check the currency: with Ruvo, SWIFT payments are in USD for now.
- Pick the method: ACH or wire for US accounts, and SWIFT for other countries.
- Keep everything: file the invoice with your payment receipt.
Goods or services: what changes
- Goods: besides paying, the import goes through customs. That usually involves an invoice, packing list and bill of lading, and you may want a customs broker.
- Services: paying someone abroad can trigger taxes like IRRF, CIDE and PIS/COFINS-Importação, depending on the service and country.
What paperwork to keep
For most payments, Ruvo doesn't ask for documents. For larger amounts, we may ask for an invoice, a contract or proof of source of funds, and any transaction can be reviewed by our banking partner.
After you pay, you can download the receipt in the app, with the exchange rate and fees, or ask our support team for it. Keep it with the rest of your paperwork.
When Ruvo isn't the best fit
If your supplier only takes transfers in euros, yuan or another currency, Ruvo can't send that yet, since SWIFT is USD only for now. In that case, look at a bank or another platform.
Does your business also get paid by clients abroad? See how to get paid in USD in Brazil.
Sources
- Decree 12.499/2025, IOF rates (Brazilian government)
- Import clearance manual (Brazil's federal tax authority)
Updated on November 5, 2026
This content is for information only and is not financial or tax advice. How we write
