SWIFT Payment Status Codes: What They Really Mean
You have a UETR. You have checked your international payment. And now you have a status code.
But does that code mean your money has arrived? Not necessarily.
A payment status describes a reported event or processing stage. It should not automatically be treated as proof of an account balance, the precise location of funds or the completion of every banking operation.
Here are the most useful statuses to understand.
ACSP — Accepted Settlement in Process
The payment instruction has been accepted for processing.
What it confirms: The reporting information indicates a processing stage.
What it does not confirm: That the beneficiary has received the funds.
What to do next: If the transfer is within the expected processing timeframe, another check may be useful. If it is overdue, contact the sending bank and provide the UETR.
ACCC — Accepted Credit Settlement Completed
The available status reports that credit settlement on the creditor's account has been completed.
What it confirms: A reported completion or credit event.
What it does not independently confirm: That every customer-facing banking interface has been updated or that there can be no subsequent account-reconciliation dispute.
What to do next: If the beneficiary cannot see the money, contact the receiving bank with the UETR and payment details for reconciliation.
RJCT — Rejected
A payment instruction or transaction has been rejected.
What it confirms: A rejection was reported.
What it does not confirm: That the sender has already received the money back.
What to do next: Contact the sending bank to establish the rejection reason and whether a return of funds is necessary or already underway.
ACWP — Accepted Without Posting; PDNG — Pending
ACWP means the payment instruction was accepted without posting the credit to the beneficiary's account. It is not confirmation of beneficiary credit. PDNG means processing is pending and further checks or updates may follow.
Neither code identifies the specific reason for a delay. Do not infer compliance screening, missing documents or a banking cut-off from these codes alone. If the status persists beyond the timeframe communicated by your bank, ask for clarification.
REFUNDING — Return in Progress
UETRACE may display REFUNDING as a simplified status when available information indicates that a return process is underway.
This is not the same as a completed refund.
What to do next: Follow up with the sending bank and continue monitoring until a completed return is confirmed.
RFND — Refund Reported as Completed
UETRACE uses RFND to identify a reported completed return. The sender should still reconcile the result against the relevant bank account if the returned funds are not visible.
REFUNDING and RFND are product-level status labels and should not be confused with the core Swift confirmation statuses ACCC, ACSP and RJCT.
Why can different reports show different statuses?
Status information may reflect different points in the payment's history. For example, an earlier processing event can be followed by a rejection or return. Differences in reporting times and available information can also affect what is visible.
Always pay attention to the meaning and date of the reported event. The time you performed a lookup is not necessarily the time the payment status changed.
What does “Not Found” mean?
A missing result means the check could not confirm matching information.
It does not independently prove that a transfer was never initiated, nor does it establish that a payment is genuine. A correctly formatted UETR can be fabricated. When proof of payment matters, obtain confirmation directly from the bank.
What should I do with my status?
A UETR check can help you decide whether to wait, monitor, request clarification or ask a bank to investigate. It cannot replace an official bank investigation or change the transfer itself.
Understand the status before deciding what to do next.
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