How to Send International Faxes: Complete Guide to Global Faxing 2025

Need to send an international fax but don’t know where to start? International faxing has become easier and more affordable than ever with modern online fax services. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about sending faxes worldwide, from country codes to cost-effective services.

What is International Faxing?

International faxing involves sending fax documents from one country to another using traditional fax machines or modern online fax services. Whether you’re sending business contracts to Europe, medical records to Asia, or legal documents to Australia, international faxing remains a trusted method for secure document transmission across borders.

Why International Faxing is Still Essential

Legal and Business Requirements

• Government agencies often require faxed documents
• International contracts need secure transmission
• Medical records require HIPAA-compliant transfer
• Legal documents need court-accepted delivery methods
• Financial institutions trust fax for sensitive information

Reliability Across Time Zones

• 24/7 availability regardless of business hours
• Immediate delivery without waiting for email responses
• Confirmation receipts provide proof of transmission
• Universal acceptance by institutions worldwide

Security Advantages

• Point-to-point transmission reduces interception risk
• No email server vulnerabilities
• Encrypted online services provide additional security
• Legal admissibility in international courts

How to Send International Faxes: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Choose Your International Fax Service

Best Option: Onetime Fax

• $5 per fax worldwide - same price to any country
• No account required - start faxing immediately
• Secure transmission with 256-bit encryption
• All countries supported - no geographic restrictions
• Unlimited pages per fax

Traditional Alternatives:

• International fax machines - expensive per-minute rates
• Subscription services - variable international pricing
• Office service centers - limited hours and high costs

Step 2: Format International Fax Numbers Correctly

Standard International Format: +[Country Code][Area Code][Local Number]

Important Rules:

• Always include the country code
• Remove leading zeros from area codes
• Use the plus sign (+) before country code
• No spaces or dashes in online services (optional for readability)

Step 3: Prepare Your Document

File Format Requirements:

• PDF (recommended for best quality)
• Word documents (.doc, .docx)
• Image files (.jpg, .png, .tiff)
• Text files (.txt)

Quality Considerations:

• High contrast for international transmission
• Clear, readable text to avoid transmission errors
• Standard paper size (A4 for most countries, Letter for US)
• Professional formatting for business documents

Step 4: Send Your International Fax

Using Onetime Fax:

1. Visit www.onetimefax.com
2. Upload your document
3. Enter the international fax number with country code
4. Add your email for delivery confirmation
5. Pay $5 and send instantly
6. Receive confirmation when delivered

International Fax Country Codes Directory

North America

• United States: +1
• Canada: +1
• Mexico: +52

Europe

• United Kingdom: +44
• Germany: +49
• France: +33
• Italy: +39
• Spain: +34
• Netherlands: +31
• Switzerland: +41
• Austria: +43
• Belgium: +32
• Sweden: +46
• Norway: +47
• Denmark: +45

Asia Pacific

• Japan: +81
• China: +86
• South Korea: +82
• Australia: +61
• New Zealand: +64
• Singapore: +65
• Hong Kong: +852
• Taiwan: +886
• Thailand: +66
• Malaysia: +60
• Philippines: +63
• Indonesia: +62
• India: +91

Middle East & Africa

• Israel: +972
• United Arab Emirates: +971
• Saudi Arabia: +966
• South Africa: +27
• Egypt: +20
• Turkey: +90

South America

• Brazil: +55
• Argentina: +54
• Chile: +56
• Colombia: +57
• Peru: +51

International Fax Number Formatting Examples

United Kingdom Example

• Local format: 020 1234 5678
• International format: +44 20 1234 5678
• Note: Remove the leading 0 from area code

Germany Example

• Local format: 030 12345678
• International format: +49 30 12345678
• Note: Remove the leading 0 from area code

Japan Example

• Local format: 03-1234-5678
• International format: +81 3 1234 5678
• Note: Remove the leading 0 from area code

Australia Example

• Local format: (02) 1234 5678
• International format: +61 2 1234 5678
• Note: Remove the leading 0 from area code

International Fax Costs Comparison

Traditional International Fax Rates

• Europe: $2-5 per minute
• Asia: $3-8 per minute
• Australia/NZ: $2-4 per minute
• South America: $4-10 per minute
• Africa: $5-15 per minute

Online International Fax Services

• Onetime Fax: $5 per fax (any destination)
• eFax: $0.12-0.99 per page (varies by country)
• HelloFax: $0.07-0.50 per page (limited countries)
• RingCentral: $0.05-0.75 per page (varies by plan)

Cost Savings Example

Sending 5-page document to UK:

• Traditional fax: $15-25 (5 minutes @ $3-5/min)
• eFax: $3-5 (5 pages @ $0.60-1.00/page)
• Onetime Fax: $5 (flat rate regardless of pages)

Time Zone Considerations for International Faxing

Business Hours by Region

Europe (GMT/CET):

• Business hours: 9 AM - 6 PM local time
• Best sending times from US: 3 AM - 12 PM EST

Asia Pacific:

• Business hours: 9 AM - 6 PM local time
• Best sending times from US: 6 PM - 3 AM EST

Australia/New Zealand:

• Business hours: 9 AM - 5 PM local time
• Best sending times from US: 5 PM - 2 AM EST

24/7 Faxing Advantages

• Government offices often accept faxes outside business hours
• Medical facilities operate around the clock
• Legal deadlines don’t wait for business hours
• Emergency situations require immediate transmission

International Fax Regulations and Compliance

GDPR Compliance (Europe)

• Data protection requirements for EU recipients
• Consent requirements for personal data
• Secure transmission mandatory
• Data retention limitations

HIPAA Compliance (Healthcare)

• Encrypted transmission required
• Audit trails for medical records
• Patient consent for international transfers
• Secure disposal of transmission records

Financial Regulations

• Anti-money laundering documentation
• Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements
• Secure transmission for financial data
• Regulatory reporting compliance

Common International Faxing Challenges

Technical Issues

Number Formatting Errors:

• Solution: Always use international format with country codes
• Double-check area codes and local numbers
• Remove leading zeros from area codes

Transmission Failures:

• Solution: Try during recipient’s business hours
• Check internet connection for online services
• Verify recipient fax number is active

Poor Document Quality:

• Solution: Use high-contrast documents
• Ensure clear text and proper formatting
• Use PDF format for best results

Cultural and Language Considerations

Document Formatting:

• Paper sizes vary by country (A4 vs Letter)
• Date formats differ (DD/MM/YYYY vs MM/DD/YYYY)
• Address formats vary by country

Language Barriers:

• Include English translations when possible
• Use clear, simple language
• Provide contact information for questions

Business Practices:

• Respect local business hours
• Consider cultural holidays
• Follow local communication customs

Industry-Specific International Faxing

Healthcare International Faxing

Common Uses:

• Medical record transfers between countries
• International patient referrals
• Medical device documentation
• Pharmaceutical research data

Compliance Requirements:

• HIPAA compliance for US healthcare
• GDPR compliance for EU patients
• Local privacy laws in destination countries
• Secure transmission protocols

Legal International Faxing

Typical Documents:

• International contracts and agreements
• Court filings in foreign jurisdictions
• Patent applications worldwide
• Immigration documents

Legal Considerations:

• Court acceptance of faxed documents
• Timestamp requirements for filings
• Authentication procedures
• Legal privilege protection

Business International Faxing

Common Applications:

• International purchase orders
• Customs documentation
• Banking and finance documents
• Insurance claims and policies

Best Practices:

• Professional formatting
• Clear contact information
• Multiple language versions when needed
• Confirmation of receipt

Security Best Practices for International Faxing

Transmission Security

• Use encrypted services like Onetime Fax
• Verify recipient numbers before sending
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive documents
• Use secure networks when possible

Document Security

• Remove sensitive information not needed by recipient
• Use password protection for highly confidential documents
• Include confidentiality notices
• Secure disposal of printed copies

Privacy Protection

• Minimize data collection by using services without accounts
• Choose services with no data retention
• Verify privacy policies of fax services
• Comply with local privacy regulations

Troubleshooting International Fax Issues

Failed Transmissions

Check Number Format:

• Verify country code is correct
• Ensure area code formatting
• Remove any extra digits or characters

Timing Issues:

• Try during recipient’s business hours
• Account for time zone differences
• Avoid local holidays and weekends

Technical Problems:

• Check internet connection
• Verify document format compatibility
• Try different fax service if needed

Quality Issues

Poor Reception:

• Use high-contrast documents
• Ensure clear, readable text
• Try PDF format instead of images
• Reduce file size if too large

Formatting Problems:

• Use standard paper sizes
• Check margin requirements
• Ensure proper orientation
• Verify font readability

Future of International Faxing

Technology Improvements

• AI-powered document enhancement
• Blockchain verification for international documents
• Real-time translation services
• Enhanced mobile capabilities

Regulatory Developments

• Standardized international fax protocols
• Improved cross-border compliance
• Enhanced security requirements
• Digital signature integration

Market Trends

• Increased demand for secure international communication
• Growing remote work driving international faxing
• Better integration with business systems
• Competitive pricing for international services

Getting Started with International Faxing

What You Need

• Document to fax (digital or scanned)
• Recipient’s international fax number
• Internet connection
• Reliable international fax service

Recommended Setup

1. Choose a reliable service like Onetime Fax
2. Verify recipient fax number format
3. Prepare high-quality documents
4. Test with non-critical documents first
5. Keep transmission confirmations

Best Practices Checklist

• ✅ Use international number format
• ✅ Choose encrypted fax service
• ✅ Verify document quality
• ✅ Consider time zones
• ✅ Keep confirmation receipts
• ✅ Follow local regulations
• ✅ Maintain professional standards

Conclusion: Master International Faxing

International faxing remains an essential tool for global business, healthcare, and legal communications. With modern online fax services like Onetime Fax, sending documents worldwide has never been easier or more affordable.

Key advantages of modern international faxing:

• Fixed pricing regardless of destination
• Secure transmission with encryption
• No account requirements for privacy
• Universal compatibility with all countries
• Professional quality without ads

Whether you’re sending one international fax or hundreds, choosing the right service and following best practices ensures successful, secure transmission to any destination worldwide.

Ready to send your first international fax? With proper formatting and a reliable service, you can reach any country in minutes.

Top 5 Mistakes in International Faxing (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Incorrect country code or number format – Always use the full international format and double-check the code.
2. Sending during recipient’s off-hours – Check time zones and send during local business hours.
3. Poor document quality – Use high-contrast, clear PDFs for best results.
4. Using free/untested services for important faxes – Use a reputable, encrypted service for business, legal, or medical documents.
5. Not keeping confirmation receipts – Always save your delivery confirmation for compliance and proof.

Downloadable Country Code PDF

Download International Fax Country Codes (PDF)