International transfers rely on precise routing. When funds are sent to Commercial Bank of Dubai, the right SWIFT/BIC ensures the payment lands in the correct banking destination in the UAE.
A single character typed incorrectly can send a transfer into manual repair, adding time and extra back-and-forth.
- Understanding SWIFT Codes For CBD
- CBD SWIFT Code Details
- CBD SWIFT Code Breakdown
- When You Need A CBD SWIFT Code
- What To Enter Alongside The SWIFT Code
- How IBAN And SWIFT Work Together In The UAE
- How International Transfers Route To Dubai
- How To Use CBD SWIFT Codes In A Transfer Request
- Typical Fields You May See On Bank Forms
- Ways To Keep Transfers Smooth
- Important Points
- Is CBDUAEAD The Same As CBDUAEADXXX?
- Which One Should Be Used On International Wire Forms?
- Do All CBD Branches Have Different SWIFT Codes?
- Why Might A Sender Be Asked For An Intermediary Bank?
- Does A SWIFT Code Replace An IBAN?
- Where Can You Confirm The Correct Code Before Sending?
This guide focuses on CBD SWIFT codes and how they are used in real transfer flows.
You will also see how branch identifiers and the SWIFT network fit into cross-border payments, so the details make sense rather than feeling like random form fields.
Understanding SWIFT Codes For CBD
A BIC is typically 8 characters (institution + country + location), and can be extended to 11 characters with a branch identifier.
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SWIFT is the global messaging network banks use to exchange standardized payment instructions.
The code tells the system “which bank, which country, which location.” - A BIC8 identifies the institution and location; a BIC11 adds a specific branch or unit identifier.
- For many retail transfers, a bank’s primary office code (often ending with XXX) is acceptable, unless your beneficiary instructions specify a different branch code.
CBD SWIFT Code Details
The commonly used identifier for Commercial Bank of Dubai is:
CBDUAEAD (BIC8) and
CBDUAEADXXX (BIC11).
In many international payment forms, entering the 11-character version is the safest choice.
That character can relate to internal messaging addressing (often called a logical terminal), and it is not usually required in standard “SWIFT/BIC” form fields.
CBD SWIFT Code Breakdown
| Part | Example In CBDUAEADXXX | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Code | CBDU | Identifies Commercial Bank of Dubai in SWIFT format. |
| Country Code | AE | The UAE country identifier. |
| Location Code | AD | Routes the transfer to the correct processing location. |
| Branch Code | XXX | Commonly the primary office or main processing unit. |
When You Need A CBD SWIFT Code
- Sending money to a CBD account from outside the UAE using an international wire (often an MT103 payment message).
- Receiving funds from abroad into CBD, where the sender’s bank asks for a SWIFT/BIC.
- Corporate settlements such as supplier payments, service invoices, and other cross-border flows where correspondent routing uses a BIC.
- Certain trade-related instructions (for example, document-based banking workflows) where parties identify banks via SWIFT addresses.
What To Enter Alongside The SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code is a routing key, not a full set of beneficiary instructions.
To keep a CBD transfer smooth, you typically need a short bundle of details that match your beneficiary’s bank records.
Small mismatches can trigger clarification steps before crediting the account.
- Beneficiary full name (as shown on the account) and, when relevant, an address line.
- Beneficiary account identifier: an account number or IBAN, depending on the destination country’s standard.
- Receiving bank name and location: Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai, UAE.
- Payment reason or purpose: a short, clear description helps processing stay efficient, especially for business transfers.
- If an intermediary bank is required by the sender’s bank, you may also be asked for a correspondent bank SWIFT/BIC.
It is common in cross-border and multi-currency transfers.
How IBAN And SWIFT Work Together In The UAE
The UAE uses IBAN for electronic payments, and it is widely used for both domestic and international transfers.
In practical terms, a sender may provide an AE IBAN for the account and a SWIFT/BIC for the bank routing.
- A UAE IBAN has a fixed structure and length. It represents your account number in a standardized format, improving accuracy.
- The SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank and location, ensuring the payment instruction reaches the correct institution in the UAE banking system.
- If you have a CBD account, your bank statements or official account documents typically show the IBAN format for that account.
How International Transfers Route To Dubai
Dubai sits at the intersection of trade, services, and cross-border activity, so payment routing is built for volume and variety.
A SWIFT message carries structured fields that move a transfer from the sender’s bank, through possible correspondents, to CBD in Dubai.
- The sender’s bank creates an international payment instruction and tags the receiving bank using the CBD SWIFT code.
- If the currency needs an intermediary, a correspondent may appear in the route for settlement before final delivery.
- CBD receives the instruction and applies internal checks, then credits the beneficiary account when the details match and settlement is complete.
How To Use CBD SWIFT Codes In A Transfer Request
If you are submitting a wire transfer form (online or at a branch), the goal is consistency: the SWIFT/BIC, beneficiary name, and account identifier must align.
The steps below fit most banks worldwide.
- Collect beneficiary details: full name, account number or IBAN, and the receiving bank details.
- Enter the receiving bank SWIFT/BIC: use CBDUAEADXXX when an 11-character code is requested.
- Confirm bank name and location: Commercial Bank of Dubai, Dubai, UAE.
- Add the payment purpose: keep it short, specific, and neutral (for example, “invoice payment” or “family support”).
- Review for typos, then submit. Save the confirmation or reference number for tracking.
Typical Fields You May See On Bank Forms
| Field Name | What To Provide | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| SWIFT/BIC | CBDUAEADXXX | Routes the payment to the correct institution and processing location. |
| Bank Name | Commercial Bank of Dubai | Reduces manual clarification when names are checked against the BIC. |
| Bank Country/City | UAE, Dubai | Helps align the instruction when the sending bank validates destinations. |
| Beneficiary Account | IBAN or account number | Ensures funds credit the right account after the bank receives settlement. |
| Payment Purpose | A short, clear reason | Supports efficient processing and reduces follow-up questions for cross-border payments. |
Ways To Keep Transfers Smooth
- Use the full 11-character SWIFT/BIC when your form asks for it: CBDUAEADXXX.
- Match the beneficiary name exactly. Small differences (extra initials, missing middle names) can slow a bank credit.
- Prefer IBAN where it is supported, especially for UAE accounts and many international corridors.
- If your sender asks for an intermediary bank, provide the correspondent details given by your sending bank or by CBD through official instructions.
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Keep your payment purpose short, factual, and consistent with any related invoice or agreement.
A clear purpose supports smoother processing.
Important Points
Is CBDUAEAD The Same As CBDUAEADXXX?
Yes, they point to the same institution and location. CBDUAEAD is the BIC8.
CBDUAEADXXX is the BIC11 where XXX commonly indicates the primary office or a default processing unit.
Which One Should Be Used On International Wire Forms?
If the form accepts 11 characters, using CBDUAEADXXX is typically safest.
If it only accepts 8, use CBDUAEAD.
The key is to keep the bank code and beneficiary details aligned.
Do All CBD Branches Have Different SWIFT Codes?
Some banks publish multiple BIC11 codes for specific branches or service units.
If your CBD account documentation provides a dedicated branch identifier, use that.
Otherwise, CBDUAEADXXX is the standard entry used in many payment instructions.
Why Might A Sender Be Asked For An Intermediary Bank?
Certain currency routes settle through a correspondent bank before funds reach the receiving bank.
This is normal in global banking. It helps the payment move efficiently through the settlement chain.
Does A SWIFT Code Replace An IBAN?
No. A SWIFT/BIC identifies the bank; an IBAN identifies the customer account in a standardized format.
Many cross-border transfers use both: IBAN for the account and SWIFT for the bank routing.
Where Can You Confirm The Correct Code Before Sending?
The most reliable confirmation comes from official CBD account documentation and the beneficiary’s bank-provided details.
If a transfer is high value or time-sensitive, a quick verification step is worthwhile before submission, even if the SWIFT/BIC looks familiar.
