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SWIFT MT103 Message Format
Cheatsheet
Message Structure Overview
1. Basic Header Block {1:}
Format: {1:F01[BIC12][Branch Code]}
Example: {1:F01DEUTDEFFXXXX1234567890}
2. Application Header Block {2:}
Format: {2:O103[DateTime][BIC][Reference]}
Example: {2:O1030953230523NORDDKKKXXXX123456789}
3. User Header Block {3:}
Format: {3:{108:[Reference]}}
Example: {3:{108:MT103}}
4. Text Block {4:} - Key Fields Reference
Mandatory Fields
Field Name Format Example
:20: Transaction Reference 16x REFERENCE12345
:23B: Bank Operation Code 4!c CRED
Value
:32A: 6!n3!a15d 230523EUR100000,50
Date/Currency/Amount
SWIFT MT103 Message Format Cheatsheet 1
/12345678\nJOHN
:50A/K/F: Ordering Customer /Account\nName\nAddress
DOE
/DK500040044\nJANE
:59: Beneficiary Customer /Account\nName\nAddress
SMITH
Optional Fields
Field Name Purpose
:52A: Ordering Institution Ordering bank's BIC
:53A/B: Sender's Correspondent Sender's bank account
:54A: Receiver's Correspondent Receiver's bank details
:56A/C: Intermediary Bank Intermediary bank info
:57A: Account With Institution Beneficiary's bank
:70: Remittance Information Payment details
:71A: Details of Charges Who pays fees (OUR/BEN/SHA)
:72: Sender to Receiver Info Additional instructions
Charge Codes (Field 71A)
OUR : All charges paid by sender
BEN : All charges paid by beneficiary
SHA : Shared charges (sender pays sending, beneficiary pays receiving)
Common Bank Operation Codes (23B)
CRED : Standard credit transfer
SPAY : Same-day value payment
SSTD : Same-day value standard payment
Field Format Symbols
🔑 Key:
n = Numeric
a = Uppercase letters
SWIFT MT103 Message Format Cheatsheet 2
x = Any character
! = Fixed length
d = Decimal number
Best Practices Checklist
Verify all mandatory fields are present
Check BIC/SWIFT codes are valid
Ensure account numbers are correctly formatted
Validate currency code is valid
Confirm charge type is appropriate
Include clear remittance information
Error Prevention Tips
1. Double-check account numbers
2. Verify BIC codes
3. Confirm amount format (use comma for decimal)
4. Ensure proper line breaks in address fields
5. Check character limits in each field
Example Message Structure
{1:F01BANKBEBBAXXX1234567890}
{2:O1031130050901BANKBEBBAXXX}
{3:{108:MT103}}
{4:
:20:REFERENCE12345
:23B:CRED
:32A:230501EUR123456,78
:50A:/12345678901234567890
MR. JOHN DOE
:59:/23456789012345678901
SWIFT MT103 Message Format Cheatsheet 3
MS. JANE SMITH
:70:INVOICE 987654
:71A:SHA
-}
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SWIFT MT103 Message Format Cheatsheet 4
