We use transferwise for almost all of our international payments. transferwise rocks. We used to use XETrade, but this isn't available to us where we currently live and work. Our bank(s) hate us for using transferwise, and actually try many different ways to stop us from using it (except for making the process cheaper - funny thing, that)
I've used Paypal because it was very simple to setup, until I realised how much I was losing, then I setup a bank to bank international wire, which took some time because most account managers I have talked had no idea how to do. It still takes some fees, but a lot less compared to Paypal.
I've got a business bank account with Chase, and they'll do currency conversions and international transfers, via online banking, with a minimum of fees.<p>They've also got a credit card (Sapphire Preferred, I believe) that has no currency exchange fees, and has both a chip (useful in Europe) and a magstrip (useful everywhere else).<p>If you set up a local bank account, keep the FBAR in mind.
Some banks—such as Thailand's Bangkok Bank—have a US branch just for receiving transfers. That way, you have a US routing number along with your normal local bank account number, and then can get your US pay despoiled just as if it were going to a US account. Fees tend to be lower than manually wiring money each month.
You mean bank transfer fees?! You cannot avoid them unless you also have an US bank account which you won't get if you are not living in the US.
Private money transfer is pretty cheap with well known services like e.g. Paypal (I'm guessing this is one of the main reasons Paypal exists, easy and cheap).
I have a US bank account & use OzForex (you can use USForex as a US citizen). I've also used XE Trade in the past.<p>Transferwise is awesome (much better UI), but not as good as OZ/USForex or XE in terms of rates.
A lot of this is dependent on where you live? Are you billing via a US/International LLC? Or is this a direct contract? do you spend USD in the current country or another currency?
At least here in Brazil the best way is to convert the USD to Bitcoins and sell it in the local market, however not every company is willing to do so.<p>When there is no such option: Wire transfer