International payments to New Zealand
Payments to New Zealand may be made through Visa Direct or SWIFT.
Visa Direct is a Visa service that lets you receive payments to your BNZ Visa cards.
The SWIFT BIC code for Bank of New Zealand is: BKNZNZ22. This should be used whenever funds are sent from overseas to BNZ bank accounts.
SWIFT BIC (Bank Identifier Code) codes should be used on all international payments to identify a particular bank or financial institution.
Before you start
- View rates and fees for receiving international payments.
- View processing cut off times.
- Be aware that our sanctions requirements may lead to delays in processing your payments.
Information you’ll need
Your details
- Your account name (full name)
- Your physical (street) address (not a PO Box)
- Your full account number to be credited
Your bank’s details
Bank of New Zealand
Wellington
New Zealand
SWIFT BIC code: BKNZNZ22
If you’re asked to provide a clearing code for your payment into BNZ, please use: 02nnnn - where nnnn is your four digit branch number (see domestic account number formats below).
Payer’s details
- Payer’s account name (full name)
- Payer’s physical (street) address (not a PO Box)
It’s also important that the payer provides the above details on the payment message. If the payer’s address is quoting a PO Box address, it may be delayed or not processed by BNZ. Payer and payee’s full account names and physical addresses are required for international payments under the AML and CFT legislation.
Account number formats
Domestic account numbers
These include the four digit branch number, seven digit account and three digit suffix, shown in this format:
02-NNNN-NNNNNNN-NNN
Your account number is displayed on your account statement
Foreign currency account numbers
These include the six digit account number and four digit suffix, shown in this format:
NNNNNN-NNNN
Your foreign currency account number is displayed on your account statement
When payments are made to your foreign currency account, we recommend that you ask the payer to quote “DO NOT CONVERT” in their payment message, to avoid the money being converted to New Zealand dollars.
International Bank Account Number (IBAN) and other codes
Some countries have adopted a standard known as an International Bank Account Number (IBAN).
New Zealand hasn’t adopted this standard, so if you’re giving your details, please provide your full bank branch account number and suffix as indicated on your statement.
Other codes that you may see are BSB, Sort Code, ABA Routing Number, Clearing Code or National Clearing Code. New Zealand hasn’t adopted any of the other codes.