How to Pay an Invoice Issued in EUR
Who should read this article?
This article is intended for people responsible for payments and accounting at companies using the Trans.eu Platform and CargoON.
In this article you will learn:
- how to pay an invoice issued in EUR,
- how to choose the right transfer type,
- when to use a SEPA transfer and when to use a standard international wire transfer,
- how to set the transfer cost option so the recipient receives the full amount,
- how to avoid errors related to currency, account number, and currency conversion,
- what to do if the payment needs to be made in a local currency.
How to Pay an Invoice Issued in EUR
From 1 June, Trans.eu invoices are issued in EUR. In most cases, payment should also be made in EUR, in accordance with the details shown on the invoice.
Trans.eu holds a bank account in Poland (IBAN starting with PL). This means that clients from SEPA countries can make EUR payments as fast and low-cost SEPA transfers — instead of more expensive SWIFT transfers.
Depending on your country and settlement method, payment can be made:
- online, via available payment methods,
- by SEPA transfer in EUR,
- by standard international wire transfer,
- in selected cases, in local currency to a local bank account.
Online Payment
The easiest way to pay an invoice is to use the online payment option available on the Platform.
If this option is available for your account, you can pay the invoice via:
- Stripe recommended — a faster and more efficient payment method,
- Przelewy24 (P24).
To check the available payment methods, go to the Billing and invoices tab on the Platform.
SEPA Transfer in EUR
If your invoice is issued in EUR and your bank supports SEPA transfers, you can make the payment as a SEPA transfer.
SEPA transfers are designed for euro payments and are typically cheaper and faster than a standard international wire transfer.
When making a SEPA transfer:
- select EUR as the currency,
- enter the account number in IBAN format,
- fill in the recipient details as shown on the invoice,
- verify that the transfer amount matches the amount due on the invoice.
Standard International Wire Transfer
If a SEPA transfer is not available, select a standard currency or international transfer in your bank.
To make this type of transfer, you may need:
- IBAN — the international bank account number,
- SWIFT/BIC — the code identifying the recipient's bank,
- the recipient's details,
- the recipient's bank address, if required by your bank,
- the transfer currency matching the details on the invoice.
Transfer cost option — an important step
When placing a standard SWIFT transfer, your bank may ask who covers the transfer fees. The available options are typically:
Option | Meaning | Effect for the recipient |
OUR ✓ recommended | The sender covers all fees | The recipient receives the full invoice amount |
SHA (Shared) | Fees are split — the sender pays their bank, the recipient pays theirs | The recipient may receive an amount lower than the invoice |
BEN (Beneficiary) | All fees are covered by the recipient | The recipient may receive an amount significantly lower than the invoice |
When the Invoice Is in EUR but Payment Must Be Made in Local Currency
In some countries, an invoice may show amounts in EUR, but payment should be made in local currency to a local bank account.
In this case:
- check the payment details and instructions on the invoice,
- make the transfer in the currency indicated on the invoice or in the payment instructions,
- ensure the converted amount fully covers the invoice value,
- pay attention to the exchange rate applied by your bank on the day the transfer is made.
Example: for selected clients in Kazakhstan, invoice amounts may be presented in EUR, but payment should be made in Kazakhstani tenge (KZT), in accordance with the payment instructions on the invoice.
How to Avoid the Most Common Transfer Errors
Before confirming a payment, check:
- whether the selected transfer currency matches the invoice,
- whether the transfer type is correct: SEPA, currency transfer, or local transfer,
- whether, for SWIFT transfers, the cost option OUR has been selected so the recipient receives the full amount,
- whether the account number has been entered in the correct format,
- whether the IBAN does not contain spaces or additional characters,
- whether the country code, e.g. PL, is in the correct place,
- whether the recipient details match those on the invoice,
- whether your bank is adding fees or currency conversion that may reduce the final payment amount.
What to Do if the Bank Rejects the Account Number
If your banking system does not accept the account number from the invoice, check:
- whether you have selected an international, currency, or SEPA transfer — not a domestic transfer,
- whether the account number has been entered as a single string, without spaces,
- whether the country prefix, e.g. PL, should be entered in a separate field,
- whether the bank's form requires you to indicate that the recipient holds an IBAN,
- whether a SWIFT/BIC code is required.
What to Do if the Transfer Was Sent but Has Not Yet Been Credited
Transfer processing time depends on the transfer type, the sender's bank, the recipient's bank, and any intermediary banks involved.
- A SEPA transfer typically arrives within 1 business day.
- A standard international wire transfer may take several business days.
If the payment has not been credited after the standard processing time, prepare a transfer confirmation from your bank. It should include the transfer date, amount, currency, recipient details, and the account number the funds were sent to.
