If you work for clients in the United States, at some point you may receive a message asking for details such as a routing number and account number to make a payment.

For those in Brazil, these terms can seem confusing. They are part of the US financial system and usually appear in payments made via ACH.

Before sharing any details, it is worth understanding how this method works, what information may be required, and what to review before receiving.

What is ACH?

ACH is a system used in the United States to move money electronically between bank accounts and financial institutions.

In practice, many US companies use ACH to pay freelancers, suppliers, salaries, and recurring deposits.

What are a routing number and an account number?

The routing number is a code used to identify the financial institution within the United States system.

The account number identifies the specific account within that institution. Together, these details help direct the payment to the correct destination.

Before sending any information to the client, confirm that the details were generated by the institution or account you intend to use to receive the funds. It is also worth checking that the account holder's name and account details are correct.

Is ACH the same thing as SWIFT?

No. ACH and SWIFT are different systems.

ACH is primarily used for payments within the United States financial system. Whereas SWIFT is used for international transfers between financial institutions in different countries.

Therefore, before sending details to the client, confirm which method they intend to use. If the client asks for ACH, the required details may be different from those used in an international transfer via SWIFT.

In general, ACH is usually linked to domestic payments in the US, while SWIFT appears more in international transfers between different countries.

What to review before receiving via ACH?

Knowing that the client wants to pay via ACH is only one part of the process. It is also worth understanding which details will be required, what costs may appear, what timelines are provided, and how you will be able to use the balance afterward.

Before proceeding, check:

• If your account or platform accepts incoming ACH payments

• Which details must be shared with the client

• If the account holder's name is correct

• If there are fees for receiving, converting, or moving funds

• What estimated timeline is provided

• If there are limits per transaction or per period

• How you can convert, send, or use the balance afterward

• If the transaction generates a receipt

• If the balance will be available in dollars or automatically converted

These points help to avoid questions after the payment has already been sent.

Which methods can be used to receive payments from the US?

There are different ways to receive payments from clients in the United States. The best option depends on the account used, the country, the currency, the method the client is able to send, and the conditions available to you.

Before choosing, compare what each alternative requires.

Method · May make sense for

• ACH: Recurring payments from US companies

• Wire transfer: High amounts or traditional operations

• Payment platform: Freelancers and creators

• Digital account: For those who want to track everything via app

The idea is not to assume that one method is always better. The safest route is to compare conditions before receiving.

What can cause issues with an ACH payment?

Even when the client sends the payment correctly, some details can delay or block the translation.

The most common issue is sharing incomplete details, using outdated information, or providing a name different from the one registered on the receiving account.

There can also be issues if the client uses a different method from the one for which the details were generated. Before sending the details, check:

• Account holder's name

• Routing number

• Account number

• Name of the receiving institution

• Address or additional details, if requested

• Payment currency

• Invoice or service reference

• Delivery method agreed with the client

If the payment does not arrive within the given timeframe, ask the client for the receipt or transaction code provided by their institution. This can help when contacting the account or platform being used to receive the funds.

How to send the details to the client?

After confirming the payment method, send the information in a clear message. The goal is to avoid back-and-forth communication with the client and reduce the chance of data entry errors.

You can use a simple structure:

"Hi [client name],

Here are my payment details for the invoice/payment:

Payment method: ACH
Account holder: [name]
Routing number: [number]
Account number: [number]
Reference: [invoice number or service]

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks!"

Before sending, double-check if these details exactly match the account or platform you will use to receive.

What to review about costs and conversion?

Receiving via ACH, wire transfer, platform, or digital account can involve different costs.

Depending on the method, receiving, conversion, withdrawal, sending, or moving fees can apply. There might also be a difference between the displayed rate and the rate applied to the transaction.

Before choosing, it is worth asking:

• Is there a fee to receive?

• Is there a fee to convert?

• Is the exchange rate shown before confirmation?

• Is there a fee to move the balance afterward?

• Is the estimated timeline provided?

• Are there limits for this type of transaction?

• Does the payment generate a receipt?

• Do the conditions vary according to your account or country?

These answers help you understand the money's journey before relying on the funds for an commitment.

How can belo fit into this process?

At belo, you can track through the app the available alternatives to receive, convert, send, and move money locally or internationally, depending on the features enabled for your account.

Before sharing details with a US client, it is worth reviewing which methods are available, what information should be used, and how the balance can be moved after receipt.

Features can vary by country, account, jurisdiction, and the conditions displayed in the app.

What to consider before choosing a way to receive from the US?

There is not a single ideal option for every case. The choice depends on how the client can pay, which currency you will receive, what details are required, and how you plan to use the balance afterward.

Before deciding, compare:

Criterion · What to evaluate

• Delivery method: ACH, wire transfer, platform, or another available channel

• Required details: Routing number, account number, SWIFT/BIC, or platform details

• Costs: Receiving, conversion, withdrawal, or movement fees

• Timeline: Estimated time for the balance to become available

• Balance use: If you can convert, transfer, or pay later

• Clarity: If amounts, costs, and conditions are shown before the transaction

The clearer the conditions are before sending, the less likely you are to encounter unexpected steps afterward.

Conclusion

Receiving US payments via ACH can simplify international billing, but it requires attention to account details, the method used by the client, and the terms of the transaction.

Before sharing a routing number, account number, or any other details, it is worth reviewing costs, conversion, limits, the estimated timeline, and ways to use the balance after receipt.

If you receive from US clients frequently, comparing alternatives can help you better organize your international payment routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ACH?

ACH is a network used in the United States to process electronic payments between accounts and financial institutions. It can be used for transfers, payments, and direct deposits, depending on the institution involved.

Can I use my Brazilian bank account to receive ACH?

It depends on the account or platform you use to receive. Since ACH is a method linked to the United States financial system, specific details are normally required, such as a routing number and account number. Before receiving, check which options are available for your account.

What is the difference between a routing number and an account number?

The routing number identifies the financial institution within the United States system. The account number identifies the specific account within that institution.

Is ACH better than a wire transfer?

It depends on the amount, the account used, the costs, the timeline, the limits, and the method the client is able to use. Before choosing, compare the conditions of each option.

Is it safe to share a routing number and account number?

These details may be necessary to receive payments, but they should only be shared when you trust the client and are using a secure channel. Before sending, confirm that the information is correct and up to date.

Can belo help those receiving payments from the US?

belo can be an option for those who want to track alternatives to receive, convert, send, and use money locally or internationally through the app. Before transacting, check which features are available for your account and country.