Paying National Insurance Contributions from abroad

If you are considering making a payment to us other than by Direct Debit, please read the information below. Please check with your bank concerning any charges for the method of payment you have chosen and ensure that your payment includes all charges and allows for any currency fluctuations. If there is a shortfall it will be necessary to write to you again and request a further payment. Banks sometimes change their payment details without informing us, therefore, the information provided may be subject to change.

Methods of Payment

Cheque

Sterling Cheque - This is by far the best method of payment open to you. By using a cheque of a United Kingdom (UK) bank in sterling currency or by purchasing a sterling draft from your foreign bank, you should avoid any bank charges - other than any standard charges imposed by your bank.
Foreign Currency Cheque - A foreign currency cheque will need to be converted into sterling before it can be paid to us. This will incur bank charges of £10.00 from the Bank of England. There will also be charges levied by the foreign bank.
Eurocheque - UK banks have withdrawn the Eurocheque clearing service. Eurocheques drawn on foreign banks are now treated as any other sterling foreign cheque. For example Eurocheques under £700.00 sent from Canada and the USA may incur charges of £50.00 or £30.00 from any other country.

Cheques should be made payable to HM Revenue & Customs. Please write your National Insurance number or Employers Reference number and 'CAR' on the reverse of the cheque and include a note giving:

your full name, address and NI number or Employers reference number
the tax year(s) the payment covers
cheque details (cheque number, bank sort code and bank account number)

If you would like a receipt, please ask for one when you send your payment to us.

Cheques should be sent to HM Revenue & Customs, NI Contributions Office, Room BP5002A, Benton Park View, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE98 1ZZ, United Kingdom.

Sterling draft

You can purchase a sterling draft from a bank abroad drawn in sterling with a UK clearing bank. Any charges will be payable at the time of purchase.

Bankers Automated Credits System (BACS)

You must have a bank in the UK to be able to use this method of payment. Payments may be made via the internet if your bank supports this method of payment.

Sort Code	Account Number	Account Name	Reference or Beneficiary Details
10-14-99	68035000	Paymaster Account at the Bank of England	NI Number, surname and initial (Employers should quote their 13 digit reference number)

Do not use the BACS details shown above to make a payment via CHAPS

There are only 18 spaces available to provide the reference and beneficiary details, therefore please ensure your NI number or Employers reference number is provided to enable your account to be updated correctly.

Please ensure all CHAPS and SWIFT payments are made via the Nat West Bank. Any CHAPS and SWIFT sterling receipts from overseas incorrectly directed to the Bank of England will be rejected and incur a charge of £15.00.

Clearing House Automated Payments System (CHAPS)

Payments may be made via the internet if your bank supports this method of payment.

Payment Method	Quote	Reference or Beneficiary Details	Destination Bank (if requested by your bank)
Sterling from an account in the UK	Sort Code: 16-53-60 Account No. 68035 (If an 8 digit account no. is needed please use 68035000)	NI Number, full name and area where payment is to be made ie CAR (Employers should quote their 13 digit reference number)	Nat West Bank, 6 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middx. UB3 3EL (NatWest is part of Royal Bank of Scotland)

Do not use the CHAPS details shown above to make a payment via BACS

Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) payments

Please check with your bank as the facility to make a payment via the internet may not be available. Charges may be incurred by the clearing bank when using this method of payment.

Payment Method	Quote	Reference or Beneficiary Details	Destination Bank (if requested by your bank)
Euro’s from a bank account held in the UK or Overseas (To avoid double conversion rates being applied or possible rejection please ensure your payment is sent in Euros)	BIC: NWBKGB2LXXX IBAN:GB43NWBK60720608304793 Account Name: OPG Euro	68035 NI Number, full name and area where payment is to be made ie CAR (Employers should quote their 13 digit reference number)	Nat West Bank, 6 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middx. UB3 3EL (NatWest is part of Royal Bank of Scotland)
Payments in Sterling or foreign currency (non euro) from overseas	BIC: NWBKGB2LXXX IBAN:GB82NWBK60104341414985 Account name: OPG	68035 NI Number, full name and area where payment is to be made ie CAR (Employers should quote their 13 digit reference number)	Nat West Bank, 6 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middx. UB3 3EL (NatWest is part of Royal Bank of Scotland)

Payment Method

Quote

Reference or Beneficiary Details

Destination Bank (if requested by your bank)

Euro’s from a bank account held in the UK or Overseas

(To avoid double conversion rates being applied or possible rejection please ensure your payment is sent in Euros)

BIC: NWBKGB2LXXX
IBAN:GB43NWBK60720608304793
Account Name: OPG Euro

68035
NI Number, full name and area where payment is to be made ie CAR
(Employers should quote their 13 digit reference number)

Nat West Bank, 6 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middx. UB3 3EL

(NatWest is part of Royal Bank of Scotland)

Payments in Sterling
or foreign currency (non euro) from overseas

BIC: NWBKGB2LXXX

IBAN:GB82NWBK60104341414985
Account name: OPG

68035
NI Number, full name and area where payment is to be made ie CAR
(Employers should quote their 13 digit reference number)

Nat West Bank, 6 Coldharbour Lane, Hayes, Middx. UB3 3EL

(NatWest is part of Royal Bank of Scotland)

When using a bank transfer method please ensure you have quoted the correct details and retain your receipt as proof of payment. Please send a letter and copy of the transfer form you receive from the bank informing us of the payment.