A freelancer in Colombia can lose a significant amount of money each month just by choosing the wrong collection channel. Here we tell you what data each method needs (ACH, Wire, SEPA, Payoneer, USDT), how long they take, and how to act if a payment does not arrive.

Download the belo app and check how to collect in dollars according to your account and current conditions.

The method is defined by the payer, not the payee

A freelancer in Colombia can lose a significant amount of money each month just by choosing the wrong collection channel. 

The difference between a payment through an ACH account and a SWIFT transfer with two intermediary banks is felt every month, and accumulates fast. 

Knowing how to receive dollars in Colombia starts with understanding something that many guides omit: the method depends on the client, their country, their banking system, and what their finance department is willing to process.

A client in the United States can probably pay you via ACH or Wire. One in Europe will prefer SEPA because that is what their bank uses for transfers in euros.

Others, especially startups or crypto-native companies, offer to pay in USDT directly to a wallet.

And there is a large group of clients who operate through platforms such as Payoneer or Airtm, where the money first reaches the platform and then moves to your account.

Before sharing any billing information, it is advisable to be clear about which country they will pay you from, in which currency, which method the client accepts, and what you will do with that money when it arrives. Those four questions define everything else.

Information needed to receive dollars in Colombia

Each channel requires different information, and a single-digit error can mean weeks of delay. 

For a client in the United States who pays via ACH or Wire, you need to share your routing number, account number, account holder name, bank name, bank address, and account type. A clear message in English can look like this:

"Hi, here are my payment details: Account holder name: [tu nombre]. Bank name: [nombre del banco]. Bank address: [dirección]. Routing number: [número]. Account number: [número]. Account type: Checking. Please let me know if you need anything else."

For a European client paying via SEPA, the information changes. You need an IBAN and a BIC/SWIFT code associated with an account that accepts euros. The message is similar in structure, but with different fields:

"Hi, here are my EUR payment details: Account holder: [tu nombre]. IBAN: [código]. BIC/SWIFT: [código]. Please confirm once the transfer is initiated."

When the client operates through Payoneer or Airtm, the process is simplified because both platforms manage the flow internally. In Payoneer, you share your associated email address or generate a payment request link.

In Airtm, the client can send dollars to your username and you receive the equivalent in your account. 

Receiving payments from abroad through these platforms has the advantage that the client already knows the process, but the fees are usually higher than with a direct transfer.

For crypto payments, the data you share is your wallet address on the corresponding network. 

If the client pays in USDT, you need to specify the network (TRC-20, ERC-20, or another) because sending to the wrong network means losing the funds. An appropriate message would be:

"Hi, I accept payment in USDT. Please use the following wallet address on the TRC-20 network: [dirección]. Important: please confirm the network before sending."

Required details by payment method

Times, costs, and what to do when receiving

The speed and cost of each method vary enough for the choice to matter. These are the main channels with their real costs:

Cost comparison by method

• An ACH transfer from the United States takes between 2 and 4 business days, with a low cost that makes it convenient for medium amounts.

• A Wire transfer arrives within the same timeframe but has a fixed cost, making it more convenient for large amounts.

• SEPA is usually settled in 1 to 2 business days within Europe with low or no costs for the sender, although the conversion from euros to dollars or pesos adds an exchange rate spread.

• Payoneer and Airtm apply fees that vary depending on the withdrawal method and can become significant with frequent payments.

• USDT payments arrive in minutes and the network cost varies depending on the chosen blockchain, from cents on TRC-20 to several dollars on ERC-20.

Receiving dollars in Colombia opens up a question that many freelancers solve poorly: convert immediately or hold in dollars. 

If your monthly expenses are in Colombian pesos and the exchange rate is at a level you consider favorable, converting makes sense.

But if the peso is appreciating and you can cover your expenses with other income, keeping dollars works as a reserve that protects against future devaluation. The key is not to convert by inertia, but by decision.

For those looking for a tool to centralize this flow, at belo we designed a receiving account in US dollars in the United States that you can activate from the app, where you can receive ACH or Wire payments from US bank accounts and platforms like PayPal, Upwork, Deel, and Airbnb. 

Funds are credited as USDC and you can use them directly, convert them, or transfer them according to your needs.

Regarding the tax aspect in Colombia, earning in dollars in Colombia as a freelancer implies declaring that income to the DIAN. 

If you are registered as a natural person with economic activity of providing services abroad, you need to report the income in your annual income tax return.

Depending on the amount, withholding tax may apply at the time of bank monetization.

It is advisable to work with an accountant who knows the details of exporting services, because thresholds and obligations change according to your income level and tax regime.

When the payment does not arrive or arrives with issues

The most common problems when collecting from abroad have a solution if you know where to look. 

A payment rejected due to incorrect details is the most frequent error, and is resolved by verifying that each field matches exactly what your receiving platform or bank shows.

If the client sends via SWIFT to an account that only accepts ACH, the transfer bounces and can take weeks to be returned.

When a payment takes longer than expected, asking the client for the Trace ID (for ACH) or the IMAD code (for Wire) allows tracking the transfer from the receiving side. 

If you charge through Payoneer and the credit is delayed, it is advisable to check that your account is verified to the level the platform requires to receive international amounts.

For USDT payments, the most serious error is the wrong network. If your wallet is on TRC-20 and the client sends via ERC-20, the funds can be irretrievably lost. 

Confirming the network before each transaction, even if it seems redundant, avoids a problem that no technical support can solve later.

Download the belo app and check how to collect in dollars according to your account and current conditions.

Frequently asked questions about receiving payments in dollars from Colombia as a freelancer

Do I need a US dollar account to receive payments from abroad in Colombia?

Not necessarily. Platforms like Payoneer, Airtm or belo allow you to receive payments in dollars without having a foreign currency bank account.

If you use direct transfers via ACH or SWIFT, it is advisable to have an account that accepts dollars or an intermediary that manages the conversion.

Which method is best to use if my client is a large company in the United States?

Large companies in the United States usually process payments via ACH or Wire, because these are the methods their finance departments can easily record.

ACH is preferable for medium amounts due to its lower cost, while Wire is more efficient when the amount is high.

Does getting paid in dollars from Colombia have tax implications?

Yes. Income in dollars must be declared to the DIAN as part of the annual income tax return, and may be subject to withholding tax depending on the amount and the tax regime in which you are registered.

Working with an accountant specialized in the export of services helps to correctly comply with these obligations, because the thresholds change according to your income level.

What do I do if my client says they already made the payment but the money does not appear?

Ask the client for the transfer receipt and the tracking code, which is the Trace ID for ACH payments or the IMAD code for Wire.

With this data, your receiving bank or platform can locate the transaction and determine if it is pending, rejected, or in transit.

Is it safe to receive payments in USDT as a freelancer?

Receiving in USDT is technically safe if you confirm the network before each transaction, as a network error can result in irretrievable loss of funds.

In addition, the value of USDT is pegged to the dollar, which reduces volatility compared to other cryptocurrencies and makes managing your income more predictable.