A SWIFT MT103/pacs.008 or equivalent bank advice is an official confirmation message or document that proves a cross-border payment was sent through the SWIFT network. This article explains when you need one, how to request it, and what alternatives are available.
What is a SWIFT MT103/pacs.008 bank advice?
A SWIFT MT103/pacs.008 or equivalent bank advice is a standard document issued by the sending bank for international transfers processed through the SWIFT network. It proves that a cross-border payment was sent through the SWIFT network but note that it does not prove that the transfer was received. It contains key transaction details including:
- Payer and beneficiary names and account numbers
- Payment amount, currency, and date
- Fee breakdown and who bears the charges (OUR, SHA, or BEN)
- Unique payment reference for tracking
As of November 2025, all financial institutions transitioned from MT103 to pacs.008 (ISO 20022 format). Both formats serve the same purpose, though "MT103" terminology is still commonly used.
When do I need a SWIFT MT103/pacs.008 and how does it differ from the transfer confirmation letter?
You may be asked for the SWIFT M103/pacs.008 if:
- Your beneficiary has not received the payment and requests proof of transfer
- There is a dispute about the transaction
- You need to investigate a delayed SWIFT payment.
Transfers sent through the SWIFT network generally take 1–3 business days, and in some cases five or more. These delays stem from the need to pass through multiple intermediary banks, different time zones, compliance reviews, and receiving-bank cut-off times. If you are concerned that your transfer still hasn't arrived after the expected time, please check your emails for any correspondence from our team. If none received, follow the instructions below to request the bank advice.
Before requesting a bank advice, try the transfer confirmation letter first. You can download this directly from the WebApp immediately after sending your transfer, and it often provides sufficient proof for many situations. The transfer confirmation letter contains key transaction details including:
- Transfer details: amount, currency, exchange rate, fees, creation date and more
- Recipient details: name, account number, address, bank
- Payer details: name, business registration number, address
- A unique payment reference number with Airwallex for further enquiries
Single transfer confirmation letter download:
- Navigate to Transfers
- In the transfers list, select a transfer
- Download transfer confirmation
- Choose a version (full version perfect for recording keeping or simplified version to share with recipients) and download
Bulk transfer confirmation letter download
- Navigate to Transfers
- In transfers list, select multiple transfers using the checkboxes
- Download transfer confirmation
- Choose a version (full version perfect for recording keeping or simplified version to share with recipients) and download
How to request a SWIFT MT103/pacs.008 or bank advice equivalent
You can request the MT103/pacs.008 or bank advice equivalent for your SWIFT transfer via Kai or Customer Support. It is typically available 2 business days after your SWIFT transfer is sent. In some cases, it may take longer depending on the bank.
Option 1: Ask Kai, your Airwallex AI assistant (recommended)
You can ask Kai for the bank advice or MT103 and Kai can provide the document for most international SWIFT transfers.
Option 2: Contact Customer Support
If you do not have access to Kai or require further help with a specific transaction, contact Customer Support through the Airwallex WebApp while logged in.
To help us investigate faster, please provide:
- Your transfer reference number
- The payment date
- The payment amount and currency
- The beneficiary name
UETR tracking reference
Some bank advices include a UETR (unique end-to-end transaction reference) that beneficiary banks can use to track the transfer through the SWIFT network. Please contact Customer Support if your beneficiary bank requires the UETR and it is not visible on your bank advice.