The SWIFT code is 8 or 11 characters, made up of:

• 4 characters - bank code (only letters)
• 2 characters - ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (only letters)
• 2 characters - location code (letters and digits) (if the second character is '1', then it denotes a passive participant in the SWIFT network)
• 3 characters - branch code, optional ('XXX' for primary office) (letters and digits)

Where an 8-digit code is given, it may be assumed that it refers to the primary office.

 

What is an International Payment?

International Wire Transfer

SWIFT MT 103 Basic Format for Wire Transfer