A US client asks for your routing number and account number. Your Nigerian bank gives you an account number and a SWIFT code.
So which details should you send?
It depends on how your client plans to pay you. ACH and wire transfers are different payment methods, and choosing one your receiving account doesn't support can delay your payment.
If you're a Nigerian freelancer working with international clients, here's how the two methods compare, what account details you need, and what to check before sending payment instructions.
What Is the Difference Between ACH and Wire Transfers?
What Is an ACH Transfer?
ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. It's a US electronic payment network used to move money between participating US bank accounts.
Businesses use ACH for payments such as payroll, bills, account transfers and recurring payments to contractors. Payments are processed electronically, often in batches.
Standard ACH payments may take more than one banking day, although some settle on the same day. Same Day ACH is available for eligible payments through participating institutions. According to Nacha's ACH guidance, most ACH payments settle in one banking day or less.
To receive an ACH payment, you'll need eligible US account details, including a routing number and account number. Whether a fintech account supports ACH depends on its provider and terms.
What Is a Wire Transfer?
A wire transfer sends money electronically from one financial institution to another.
In the US, domestic bank wires may use the Fedwire Funds Service. International bank transfers commonly use the SWIFT messaging network to communicate payment instructions between financial institutions, often with intermediary banks involved.
Wire transfers are frequently used for large or time-sensitive payments, but they can cost more than ACH. International wires may also take several business days, depending on the banks involved, cut-off times, currency conversion and compliance checks.
The receiving bank or provider will tell you which details the sender needs. These may include your account number, bank name, SWIFT/BIC code and, in some cases, intermediary bank details.
ACH vs. Wire Transfer: Key Differences at a Glance
Feature | ACH transfer | Wire transfer |
Common use | Payroll, recurring payments and routine transfers | Domestic or international bank payments |
Payment details | Usually a US routing number and account number | Account details and bank instructions; international transfers commonly require a SWIFT/BIC code |
Processing time | Often one banking day or less, but timing varies | Domestic wires may settle quickly; international transfers can take several business days |
Fees | Often low-cost, depending on the bank or provider | May include sender, receiving and intermediary bank fees |
Returns or recalls | Can be returned under applicable network rules | Often harder to recall after processing |
Availability | Requires an account that supports ACH | Depends on the sending and receiving institutions |
These are general differences, not guarantees. Your bank, payment provider and the client's payment platform determine the actual fees, processing time and requirements.
Can Nigerian Freelancers Receive ACH Transfers?
A standard Nigerian bank account generally cannot receive a US domestic ACH payment directly. ACH uses US banking details, including a routing number and account number, rather than the details of an ordinary Nigerian bank account.
However, some financial service providers give eligible users US receiving account details that support ACH payments.
Why a Regular Nigerian Bank Account May Not Support US ACH Transfers
Your Nigerian bank account has its own account number and local banking details. Those details are not automatically interchangeable with the US routing and account numbers required for ACH.
If your client asks for ACH details, don't send your Nigerian account number and assume the payment will go through. First, confirm whether your receiving provider supports ACH.
How US Receiving Account Details Work
Some providers offer eligible users US account details through financial infrastructure partners. Depending on the account's terms, those details may support certain incoming ACH payments or other payment methods.
Before sharing your details with a client, check:
Whether the account accepts ACH credits, domestic wires, or both.
Whether the account is eligible to receive payments from the client's bank or platform.
Whether the sender's name must match the name on your account.
Whether receiving fees, transaction limits or withdrawal charges apply.
How you can withdraw or convert the money after it arrives.
Having US account details does not automatically mean an account supports every US payment method. Confirm the supported payment types with your provider.
How Can You Receive International Wire Transfers in Nigeria?
Receiving USD Through a Nigerian Domiciliary Account
A domiciliary account at a Nigerian bank can be used to hold and transact in foreign currency. Banks generally provide instructions for receiving international transfers, including the bank's SWIFT/BIC code and any intermediary bank details required.
Before your client sends a wire, contact your bank or check its official incoming-transfer instructions. Confirm:
The account name and number to provide.
The bank name and SWIFT/BIC code.
Whether an intermediary bank is required.
The bank's incoming-transfer fees.
Whether the funds will be credited in USD or converted to another currency.
A standard naira account may handle an incoming international payment differently from a domiciliary account. Confirm the currency and conversion terms with your bank before the transfer is sent.
Understanding Correspondent Bank Fees and Currency Conversion
An international wire may pass through intermediary or correspondent banks before reaching the receiving bank. Depending on the payment route, fees may be deducted along the way.
Some international wire instructions let the sender select how charges are allocated:
OUR: The sender is instructed to pay the transfer charges.
SHA: The sender and recipient share the charges.
BEN: The recipient bears the charges.
The options and their exact treatment depend on the banks and payment route. Even when the sender selects OUR, confirm whether any additional charges can still apply.
Currency conversion can also affect the amount you receive. If your money is converted to naira, compare the exchange rate and any conversion charges, not just the transfer fee.
ACH vs. Wire Transfers: Which Is Better for Freelancers?
Neither method is automatically better for every freelancer. Your best option depends on your client's location, your receiving account, the payment amount and how quickly you need the money.
When an ACH Transfer Makes Sense
ACH may be suitable when:
Your client is paying from a US bank account.
You have receiving account details that explicitly support ACH.
You're receiving regular payments, such as monthly retainers.
Your client can use ACH and the payment doesn't need an alternative route.
ACH is often cost-effective for routine US payments, but check the receiving provider's fees and eligibility requirements first.
When a Wire Transfer Makes Sense
A wire may be suitable when:
Your client needs to send an international bank transfer.
Your receiving bank or provider supports the payment route.
The sender's bank offers wire transfer as the required payment method.
You have confirmed the fees, receiving instructions and expected processing time.
A wire isn't automatically the best choice for a large payment, nor is it guaranteed to arrive faster than every ACH payment. Compare the actual options available to both parties.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Payment Method
Before you give a client your payment details, ask:
Which payment methods can the client send?
Which of those methods can your receiving account accept?
What will the sender pay, and what might be deducted before the money reaches you?
How long should the transfer take under the provider's stated terms?
How will you withdraw, hold or convert the funds?
What happens if the payment is delayed, returned or sent with incorrect details?
The important thing is to confirm the route before the client initiates the transfer.
How to Reduce the Cost of Receiving USD Payments
A few practical checks can help you avoid unnecessary charges:
Compare the total cost. Include receiving fees, intermediary deductions, withdrawal fees and currency conversion.
Ask for the payment currency. Confirm whether your client can send USD without converting it first.
Check the exchange rate. A low transfer fee doesn't necessarily mean you'll receive the best overall value.
Avoid unnecessary conversions. Converting between currencies multiple times can add costs.
Review withdrawal charges. A provider may charge little to receive money but more to move it into your local bank account.
Confirm payment details before sending them. Incorrect account information can delay a transfer or cause it to be returned.
If you're receiving recurring payments, compare the total cost across several payments rather than judging a provider by one fee alone.
Where a USD Receiving Account Fits
We’re building the CherryPay Dollar Account for eligible users who want to receive and manage supported USD payments through CherryPay.
CherryPay is a fintech platform, not a bank. We work with regulated financial infrastructure partners, including Bridge, to provide eligible users with access to services such as USD receiving account details.
The Dollar Account is currently available through a waitlist. Supported payment methods, eligibility requirements, fees and limits should be confirmed through our official product information before you rely on the account for a particular payment.
If you're considering a USD receiving account, make sure it supports the exact payment method your client intends to use. You can visit CherryPay's Dollar Account page to check the current information and join the waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ACH cheaper than a wire transfer?
ACH is often lower-cost for routine US payments. Wire transfers may involve higher bank fees and, for international transfers, possible intermediary charges. The actual cost depends on the banks and providers involved.
How long does an ACH transfer take?
Timing varies by payment type, bank and provider. Many ACH payments settle in one banking day or less, while others take longer. Same Day ACH is available for eligible payments through participating institutions.
Can a Nigerian freelancer receive USD directly into a Nigerian bank account?
A Nigerian domiciliary account can receive supported foreign-currency transfers, subject to the bank's instructions and requirements. A standard naira account may handle an incoming foreign payment differently, so confirm the currency and conversion terms with your bank.
Can international clients pay Nigerian freelancers through ACH?
They may be able to if the freelancer has eligible US receiving account details that support ACH and the client's bank or payment platform accepts those details. A standard Nigerian bank account number alone is generally not enough.
Do I need to open a US bank account to receive ACH?
Not necessarily. Some providers arrange US receiving account details for eligible users. Check the account's terms to confirm whether ACH payments are supported and what restrictions apply.