OUR vs SHA vs BEN — which charges code should I use?
Use OUR when the beneficiary must receive the exact amount (most invoice payments). Use SHA when fees are split — sender pays their bank, intermediaries deduct from the amount (default for most consumer wires). Use BEN when the beneficiary should bear all fees (rare — usually for forwarding money or when the beneficiary instructed it).
Details
The charges code goes in MT103 field 71A (or pacs.008 <ChargeBearer>) and tells every bank in the chain who is responsible for fees. There are exactly three options: OUR, SHA, BEN.
OUR: sender's bank quotes a single all-in fee; correspondents bill the sender's bank, not the payment. Beneficiary gets the full amount sent. Most expensive but cleanest. Use for: invoice payments, payroll abroad, any payment where the receiver expects an exact amount.
SHA (Shared): sender pays their bank's fee. Each correspondent in the chain deducts its own fee directly from the principal as the payment passes through. Beneficiary receives sent amount minus all correspondent lifting fees. Use for: routine consumer wires, peer-to-peer transfers where the receiver accepts a small deduction.
BEN: payment is sent net — sender pays nothing to their bank or correspondents (in theory). Beneficiary's bank deducts everything. Use for: refunds where the sender is forwarding money; fee arrangements pre-agreed with the receiver.
Practical advice: OUR is best for B2B invoices. SHA is fine for personal wires under USD 1,000. BEN is rare and often requires a relationship account.
Key facts
- OUR = sender pays everything (best for invoices)
- SHA = shared (default for personal wires)
- BEN = beneficiary pays everything (rare, usually pre-agreed)
- Field 71A on MT103 / <ChargeBearer> on pacs.008
Frequently asked questions
OUR vs SHA vs BEN — which charges code should I use?
Use OUR when the beneficiary must receive the exact amount (most invoice payments). Use SHA when fees are split — sender pays their bank, intermediaries deduct from the amount (default for most consumer wires). Use BEN when the beneficiary should bear all fees (rare — usually for forwarding money or when the beneficiary instructed it).
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