Foreign Wires FAQ
Last Updated: October 15, 2024 11:59:33 AM PDT
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Can I send a domestic wire payment to a domestic bank?
We do not typically allow domestic wire transfer payments. On a case-by-case basis, Payment Services may deem this allowable. Prior approval is required by submitting the details of the request via Services & Support.
Can I submit a wire invoice through PaymentWorks?
Not at this time. Payments requiring a wire transfer must follow the wire transfer request process, which includes the completion of a wire transfer form. Follow this link to the form for non travel wires: Services & Support Electronic Wire Request Form
What is the minimum amount I can send for a foreign wire payment request?
$50 USD. Wire transfer payments are manual and require multiple resources to process regardless of the dollar amount. UC San Diego also incurs a per wire transfer fee plus the payee may get charged an incoming wire fee from their receiving bank. Due to these considerations we do not process payments under $50 USD.
Can the Payee submit a wire payment request form?
No, they can only be submitted directly from the department.
How long does it take for a wire payment to reach the payee’s bank account?
Once your department submits a wire request via Services & Support and the request is approved by the Financial Unit approver, the request routes to the payment processing teams and the wire will usually be received by the payee within a week.
How long does it take for a wire payment to post to the department’s operating ledger?
A wire payment should appear in your department's ledger within 7 business days of receicing notice that your wire request has been completed and closed. In times of high demand such as fiscal close, this timeline may be extended.
Is there a way to track or get a tracking number for the wire transfer payment request submitted?
No. Unfortunately, we are not provided a tracking number by our financial partner at the time of wire issuance. If you need a payment confirmation number, also known as a TRN, Payment Services can provide this once the wire is issued.
How do I obtain the TRN number (confirmation) that the wire payment was completed?
Once you receive response that the wire has been issued, you may request the TRN by commenting on your wire request, or opening a case with Payment Services at support.ucsd.edu
Can a wire payment be cancelled?
Wire transfer payments cannot easily be retracted, reversed or cancelled. Please ensure all wire transfer requests are valid prior to submitting a request. If a payment is made in error, return of the funds is not guaranteed and the department is responsible for the loss.
A foreign payee received a check but cannot cash it and would like a wire transfer payment instead, what should I do?
The department will need to submit a Services & Support case to request the check be cancelled. Once the check has been cancelled, you may submit a wire request by clicking here.
What do I do if my department sent a duplicate wire payment in error?
The department needs to contact the payee immediately to request they either decline from accepting the funds into their account OR ask the payee to send the funds back to UC San Diego. Department is responsible for all fees incurred (submit a Services & Support case for further assistance).
If a payee bills us in foreign currency, can we pay in US Dollars?
No, the wire form will need to be completed in foreign currency. * The conversion rate is determined by our financial partner at the time of wire payment. The rate is not determined prior to payment submission.
What is an ABA?
The ABA (American Bankers' Association National Numeric System) routing number is a unique, 9-digit identifying transit number assigned to each bank.
What is the IBAN
The IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is a series of alphanumeric characters that uniquely identify an account held at a bank. It can be up to 34 characters long and contains at least one 2-character country code, 2 check digits, and the basic bank account number. The basic bank account number identifies the bank as well as the account holder. In printed format, spaces are inserted for readability (e.g., DE16 5003 3300 0532 0130 00).
What is the BIC or SWIFT?
The BIC (Bank Identifier Code) is an 8-character code also known as the SWIFT address and is uniquely assigned to banks. Branch codes can be added to the BIC to further designate which branch of a bank should receive the SWIFT message. When a branch code is added, the BIC has 11 characters (e.g., BARCGB22 or DEUTDE3B400).
What is the BSB?
The Australian BSB (Bank/ State/ Branch) code is a 6-digit code that precedes the actual bank account number. The first 3 digits represent the bank institution code, and the last 3 digits represent the actual branch code for the beneficiary account. The BSB code is required for all wires going to Australia.
What is the CLABE?
The CLABE (Clace Bancaria Estandarizada) is a banking standard for the numbering of bank accounts in Mexico. This standard is a requirement for the sending and receiving of international transfers since June 1, 2004. The CLABE account code has 18 digits which always contains the payee's bank account number. The CLABE code is required for all wires going to Mexico.
Find answers, request services, or get help from our team at the UC San Diego Services & Support portal.