How to Receive International Payments in USD Using Grey.co or Payoneer
How to Receive International Payments in USD Using Grey.co or Payoneer
Step-by-step setup, best practices, fees, and real-world workflows for freelancers and small businesses going forward.
Receiving USD from international clients and marketplaces is essential for freelancers, creators, and exporters. Two practical, widely used options are Grey (virtual foreign accounts tailored for Africa) and Payoneer (global receiving accounts and payout services). This guide shows how each works, when to choose which, and exact steps to start receiving USD today.
Why use Grey or Payoneer?
Grey provides instant virtual USD/GBP/EUR accounts that act like local bank accounts in those currencies — ideal when you need to receive marketplace payouts or link a USD bank account to platforms. Grey focuses on fast local conversions and withdrawals for African users. 0
Payoneer offers global receiving accounts (USD, EUR, GBP, and more) through its Global Payment Service, letting clients pay via local bank transfers (ACH, wires, SEPA, etc.). Payoneer is commonly used by marketplaces and agencies for reliable, large-scale payouts. 1
Quick comparison (when to pick which)
| Need | Pick Grey | Pick Payoneer |
|---|---|---|
| Fast USD → local Naira withdrawals | Yes (virtual USD accounts + quick conversions) | Possible but usually via bank transfer timings |
| Marketplace & agency payouts | Works with many platforms | Designed for marketplaces, mass payouts |
| Transparent mid-market FX | Competitive local rates | Transparent fees, predictable pricing |
Option 1 — How to receive USD with Grey (step-by-step)
- Create & verify account: Sign up on Grey.co and complete KYC (ID + selfie/proof of address). Verification is typically quick for supported countries. 2
- Create a USD receiving account: In the app, generate a USD virtual account — you’ll get account number, routing/ACH details, and bank name to share with clients. 3
- Share details with clients or platforms: Add the USD account details to invoices or your marketplace payment settings (e.g., Upwork, Deel where supported). 4
- Receive & convert: Funds arrive via ACH or wire. Use Grey’s in-app conversion to swap USD to Naira (rates shown before conversion). Grey supports USDC too if you accept crypto. 5
- Withdraw locally: Withdraw the converted Naira to your linked Nigerian bank — Grey emphasizes fast local withdrawals. 6
Option 2 — How to receive USD with Payoneer (step-by-step)
- Sign up and verify Payoneer: Create your Payoneer account and complete KYC (ID, address). Payoneer supports many countries and is widely accepted by marketplaces. 8
- Activate Global Payment Service: In Payoneer dashboard request receiving accounts (USD, EUR, GBP etc.) — Payoneer issues local receiving details (like a U.S. account for USD via ACH/SWIFT). 9
- Share with clients or marketplaces: Add your Payoneer receiving account details to invoices and marketplace settings; many platforms support Payoneer natively. 10
- Receive & withdraw: Funds arrive into your Payoneer balance; withdraw to your local bank or use Payoneer’s card where supported. Withdrawals typically take 2–5 business days depending on the corridor. 11
Best practices for reliable USD receipts
- Name matching: Ensure the beneficiary name you give clients matches exactly the name on your Grey/Payoneer account to avoid rejected transfers. 13
- Run a test transfer: Send a small payment first to confirm the route, fees, and timing before large invoices.
- Invoice clearly: Use the receiving account details and include purpose/description to speed reconciliation at the bank end.
- Keep KYC docs handy: Maintain clear invoices, contracts, and ID documents to resolve any manual review quickly.
Real-world workflows & recommendations
If clients are US/EU-based marketplaces or agencies: Use Payoneer when you need marketplace-native support and predictable payout workflows. 14
If you’re an African freelancer or creator needing fast local Naira access: Grey’s virtual USD accounts + fast conversion to Naira makes it a practical choice — many users prefer Grey for speed and local UX. 15
Practical tip: For flexibility, many professionals keep both — Payoneer for marketplace and B2B receipts, and Grey for fast USD receipts and instant local conversions. Test both with small transfers to identify which gives you the best net payout for your corridors.
Further reading & official resources
- Grey — How to receive USD freelance payments in Nigeria. 16
- Grey — Receiving account guidelines & ACH info. 17
- Payoneer — Global Payment Service (receiving accounts). 18
- Payoneer — How to receive funds to your Payoneer account (FAQ). 19
Final thoughts
Both Grey and Payoneer are practical solutions for receiving USD internationally — your choice depends on client origin, payout frequency, and whether you prioritise instant local access (Grey) or broad marketplace compatibility and mass-payout features (Payoneer). Tell me your client countries and monthly volume and I’ll map a step-by-step setup and cost estimate tailored to your needs.
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