How to Invoice Overseas Clients From Singapore and Get Paid in USD or EUR

Overseas clients are great. They often pay in strong currencies and value Singapore talent. But the first international invoice raises many questions: what to include, which currency, how to get paid, and whether tax applies.

Here is a simple guide.

What to put on an invoice for a foreign client

A clean invoice gets paid faster. Include:

• Your name or business name, address and registration number (UEN) if you have one.
• The client's legal name and address, exactly as in the contract.
• Invoice number and date. Use a simple sequence like 2026-014.
• Purchase order (PO) number if the client gave you one. Large companies often reject invoices without it.
• Description of the work and the period it covers.
• Amount and currency, written clearly: "USD 3,000.00".
• Payment terms, for example "Net 30".
• Payment details: account name, account number or IBAN, SWIFT/BIC, bank name and address.
• Tax line: GST if you are GST-registered, or a note that no GST is charged.

Tip: Send the invoice to the accounts payable email, not just to your contact. Ask for it on day one.

Choose the currency

Bill in	Pros	Cons
Client's currency (USD, EUR)	Easy for the client to approve and pay	You carry the exchange-rate risk
SGD	You know exactly what you get	Client carries the risk, may push back or pay late

Most freelancers bill in the client's currency and accept the exchange risk. For long contracts, you can add a clause that reviews the rate every six or twelve months.

Receive the money without losing it to fees

International payments have three costs:

1. The sending fee, paid by the client.
2. The intermediary or receiving fee, sometimes taken from the amount.
3. The exchange-rate margin when the money is converted to SGD.

The third one is often the biggest and the least visible.

Ways to keep costs down:

• Use a multi-currency account. Many providers give you local account details in the US, UK or EU, so the client pays a domestic transfer.
• Hold the currency and convert when the rate suits you.
• Agree who pays fees. Write "all bank charges are borne by the payer" in the contract and on the invoice.

Handle the client's paperwork

Foreign clients often need forms before they can pay you:

• Vendor onboarding form: company details, bank details, sometimes insurance.
• US tax forms: a W-8BEN for individuals or a W-8BEN-E for companies.
• Local withholding tax: some countries withhold tax on payments for services from abroad. A tax treaty may reduce it. Ask the client early.

Some clients will only work with a registered company. If you are an individual, this can be the moment the deal stalls. See why B2B clients prefer companies and your options.

GST: does it apply?

In Singapore, only GST-registered businesses charge GST.

• Registration is generally compulsory when your taxable turnover is above S$1 million in a year, or expected to be.
• Most side projects are far below that, so no GST is charged.
• If you are registered, services supplied to overseas clients can often be zero-rated, but only if specific conditions are met.

Check the IRAS GST guides for the current rules.

Put a contract in place first

An invoice is not a contract. Before you start, agree in writing:

• Scope and deliverables.
• Price, currency and payment terms.
• Late payment terms, such as interest or pausing work.
• Intellectual property: who owns what, and when.
• Governing law and disputes: which country's law applies.

Keep records for your tax return

Your overseas income is taxable in Singapore if you are a tax resident. Keep:

• Every invoice and contract.
• Bank statements showing the payments received.
• The SGD value of each payment on the day you received it.

See how to declare side income in Singapore for the filing steps.

Or let a partner handle it

Giinger has a multi-currency account and invoices clients outside Singapore every month. We sign with the client, send the invoice, collect the money and pay you in the currency you need.

See how the money moves.