IBAN vs Sort Code vs Routing Number: Which Bank Details to Give International Clients (2026)

Different clients in different countries need different bank details to send you money. Giving a US client an IBAN won't work. Giving a UK client a routing number won't work. This is the definitive guide to which details to provide to which client.

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The Three Main Banking Identifier Systems

US: Routing Number + Account Number

Used for: ACH transfers and domestic US wire transfers.

• Routing number: 9-digit ABA routing number identifying the bank
• Account number: Your specific account at that bank Who needs these: US clients paying in USD. When they initiate ACH or domestic wire from their US bank.

Your Playto Pay USD VBA provides: A US routing number + account number. US clients pay domestically.

UK: Sort Code + Account Number

Used for: UK domestic BACS, CHAPS, and Faster Payments transfers.

• Sort code: 6-digit code identifying the UK bank branch (format: XX-XX-XX)
• Account number: 8-digit account number Who needs these: UK clients paying in GBP. When they initiate a UK domestic bank transfer.

Your Playto Pay GBP VBA provides: A UK sort code + account number.

Europe and SEPA Zone: IBAN + BIC

Used for: SEPA Credit Transfer (EUR payments within SEPA zone).

• IBAN (International Bank Account Number): Country-specific format, 15-34 characters starting with country code (e.g., GB29NWBK60161331926819 for UK, DE89370400440532013000 for Germany)
• BIC/SWIFT code: Bank Identifier Code, 8-11 characters identifying the bank globally Who needs these: EU clients paying in EUR, also UK clients paying in EUR.

Your Playto Pay EUR VBA provides: An IBAN + BIC for SEPA transfers.

UAE: IBAN (UAE Format)

Used for: UAE domestic EFTS (Electronic Funds Transfer System) and SWIFT.

• UAE IBAN: 23 characters, starts with AE
• BIC/SWIFT code Your Playto Pay AED VBA provides: A UAE IBAN + BIC.

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Quick Reference: Which Details to Give Which Client

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What About SWIFT for International Wires?

SWIFT/BIC codes are used for international SWIFT wires — when a client in one country sends to a bank in another country via the SWIFT network.

When SWIFT is needed: If a client doesn't have access to your local VBA (e.g., a Japanese client sending JPY or an Indian client sending from an Indian bank to your account abroad).

For all common cases (US, UK, EU, UAE clients): VBA + domestic transfer is preferred over SWIFT. It's faster, cheaper for the client, and avoids correspondent bank fees.

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Template: Invoice Payment Details by Client Location

For US clients:

USD Bank Transfer:
Account Name:   [Company Name]
Routing Number: [9-digit routing]
Account Number: [Account number]
Bank:           [Bank name, US]
Reference:      [Invoice number]

For UK clients (GBP):

GBP Bank Transfer:
Account Name:   [Company Name]
Sort Code:      [XX-XX-XX]
Account Number: [8-digit account]
Reference:      [Invoice number]

For EU clients (EUR):

EUR Bank Transfer (SEPA):
Account Name:   [Company Name]
IBAN:           [Your EUR IBAN]
BIC/SWIFT:      [BIC code]
Reference:      [Invoice number]

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FAQ

Why won't a routing number work for EU clients? Routing numbers are US domestic only. EU clients use SEPA and IBAN. Giving an EU client a US routing number will result in a failed transfer.

Can I give all clients the same banking details? No. You need different details per currency and per client geography. Playto Pay provides VBAs for USD (US details), GBP (UK details), EUR (IBAN), and AED (UAE IBAN) — use the right one for each client.

What is BIC and when do clients need it? BIC (Bank Identifier Code) is the same as SWIFT code. EU and UAE clients need it for IBAN-based transfers. US clients using domestic ACH or wire don't need it.