Chase does not issue IBAN numbers to U.S. customers
Chase Bank does not provide IBAN (International Bank Account Number) codes for accounts held in the United States. IBANs are used almost exclusively for bank transfers within Europe and a small number of other countries that have adopted the IBAN standard. If you have a Chase account in the U.S., your account is identified by your routing number and account number instead.
If you need to receive money from abroad or send money internationally, Chase will give you a SWIFT code (also called a BIC code) and your U.S. routing and account numbers. These three pieces of information work together to route international transfers to your Chase account. The SWIFT code identifies Chase itself, while the routing number identifies your specific Chase branch, and your account number identifies your individual account.
The confusion often arises because people outside the U.S. are accustomed to using IBANs for all domestic transfers in their own countries. When they try to send money to a U.S. bank account, they expect an IBAN to exist — but it does not. You will need to provide them with the alternative identifiers instead.
Key Takeaways
- Chase does not issue IBAN numbers for U.S. accounts; IBANs are used only in Europe and a handful of other countries.
- To receive international transfers at Chase, you need your SWIFT code, routing number, and account number — not an IBAN.
- Your Chase SWIFT code is CHASUS33 (for most U.S. locations), your routing number is a nine-digit code specific to your branch, and your account number is printed on your checks.
- If someone abroad is trying to send you money and asks for an IBAN, tell them Chase uses SWIFT instead and provide those three pieces of information.
How to find your SWIFT code, routing number, and account number
Your Chase SWIFT code for international transfers is CHASUS33. This code is the same for all Chase customers in the United States and tells the sending bank that the money is going to Chase.
Your routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your specific Chase branch. You can find it by logging into Chase online banking, calling Chase at 1-800-935-9935, or looking at the bottom left corner of any check you have. The routing number appears before your account number on the check.
Your account number is unique to you and is printed on your checks, visible in your online banking portal, or available by calling Chase. It typically ranges from 10 to 12 digits.
When you provide these details to someone sending you money internationally, they should enter them into their bank's international transfer form. The sending bank will use the SWIFT code to route the transfer to Chase, the routing number to direct it to your branch, and the account number to deposit it into your specific account.
When you might be asked for an IBAN
You may encounter a request for an IBAN if you are receiving money from someone in Europe, the United Kingdom, or another country that uses the IBAN system. Common sending countries include Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Poland, and the UK. If the sender's bank requires an IBAN field and will not accept SWIFT information, the sender's bank may not support transfers to non-IBAN countries, or their online form may not have a field for SWIFT codes.
In this situation, contact the sender's bank directly and ask them how to send money to a U.S. bank account. They may have a separate process for international transfers outside the IBAN zone, or they may be able to route the transfer through a correspondent bank that can accept SWIFT information. Some banks have a dedicated international transfer department that handles non-IBAN transfers differently than their standard online form.
The difference between IBAN and SWIFT
SWIFT codes identify the bank itself and the country where it operates. CHASUS33 tells the sending bank "this is Chase in the United States." SWIFT codes are used worldwide for international transfers, regardless of whether the receiving country uses IBANs.
IBANs are account identifiers that include the country code, bank code, and account number all in one string. An IBAN for a German bank might look like DE89370400440532013000, where DE is Germany, 3704 is the bank code, and the rest identifies the account. IBANs are mandatory for transfers within the IBAN zone (primarily Europe) but do not exist in the United States, Canada, Australia, or most of Asia.
Because the U.S. banking system predates the IBAN standard and uses a different infrastructure, American banks use routing numbers and account numbers instead. These two numbers serve the same purpose as an IBAN — they direct money to the right bank and the right account — but they are structured differently.
What happens if you give someone the wrong information
If you provide incorrect routing or account numbers, the transfer may be rejected by Chase before it reaches your account, and the money will be returned to the sender. This process can take one to three weeks. The sender will then need to resubmit the transfer with the correct information.
If the routing number is wrong but the account number is correct, the transfer may go to a different Chase branch and then be rerouted to you, which can add several days to the process. If the account number is wrong but the routing number is correct, Chase may reject the transfer or it may be deposited into another customer's account by mistake — which is why accuracy matters.
Always double-check your routing and account numbers before giving them to someone sending you money. If you are unsure, log into your Chase account online or call Chase directly rather than relying on a number you think you remember.
International transfers to Chase and fees
Chase charges a fee for incoming international wire transfers, typically between $15 and $20, though the exact amount depends on the type of transfer and your account type. The sending bank may also charge a fee on their end. These fees are usually deducted from the amount received, so you may get slightly less than the amount the sender transferred.
Some transfers may also be subject to currency conversion if the money is sent in a currency other than U.S. dollars. Chase will convert the funds to dollars at their current exchange rate, which may differ from the mid-market rate you see online. The difference between the rate Chase uses and the mid-market rate is how Chase makes money on the conversion.
If you receive frequent international transfers, ask Chase whether a different account type or service might reduce fees. Some business accounts or premium checking accounts have different fee structures for international deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my account number and routing number for domestic transfers?
Yes. For transfers within the United States — whether from another Chase account, another bank, or a payment service like PayPal — you only need your routing number and account number. You do not need a SWIFT code for domestic transfers. These two pieces of information are sufficient for ACH transfers, wire transfers, and direct deposits within the U.S.
What if I have a Chase account outside the United States?
Chase operates in several countries outside the U.S., and those accounts may use different identifiers. If you have a Chase account in the UK, for example, you would use a UK sort code instead of a U.S. routing number. Contact your local Chase branch or log into your account to find the correct codes for your country.
Do I need to provide my SWIFT code for every international transfer?
Most of the time, yes. The sending bank uses the SWIFT code to route the transfer to Chase. However, some banks have a dropdown menu where you select the country and bank, and the SWIFT code is filled in automatically. Always confirm that CHASUS33 appears in the transfer details before the sender submits the transfer.
What if the sender's bank says they cannot send to a U.S. account?
Some smaller banks or credit unions may not have the infrastructure to send international transfers. Ask the sender to contact their bank's international transfer department or to use a money transfer service like Wise, OFX, or MoneyGram instead. These services often have lower fees and can handle transfers to U.S. accounts more easily than traditional banks.
Is there a limit on how much money I can receive internationally?
Chase does not publish a specific limit on incoming international transfers for personal accounts. However, transfers over $10,000 trigger a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) that Chase files with the U.S. government — this is normal and legal. If you receive frequent large transfers, Chase may ask you to document the source of the funds for compliance reasons.