By Alexey Spasskiy · Published May 5, 2026 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 10 min read
Quick Answer: To fax internationally, use the format
+[country code][area code without leading zero][local number]. Online services like mFax.to accept this format directly — no exit code, no fax machine required — and deliver to 100+ countries in under 3 minutes.
International fax is still the standard in healthcare, legal, government, and finance sectors across more than 60 countries. Japan sends over 1.7 billion faxes annually. Germany's hospitals and courts run on fax. US businesses routinely fax across borders to Canada, Mexico, and the EU. Whether you're sending patient records, contracts, visa applications, or regulatory filings, fax international remains a non-negotiable skill in 2026.
This guide covers everything: how to format international fax numbers, which country codes to use, what things cost, regional compliance obligations, and a step-by-step workflow that works from any phone or browser.
What Is International Faxing?
International faxing is transmitting a fax document to a recipient in a different country. The underlying process is identical to domestic faxing — the only difference is how you dial the number. Instead of a standard 10-digit local number, you must prepend a country code and apply international dialing rules.
Traditional fax machines treat international faxes as international phone calls, which means international call rates apply. Online fax services route transmission over the internet and charge flat per-page rates, making them dramatically cheaper for cross-border sends.
Who Still Uses International Fax?
Fax usage internationally is concentrated in specific industries and regions — and it isn't going away.
Countries with high fax adoption:
- Japan — fax is legally mandated for many government and banking workflows; roughly 1.7 billion faxes are sent per year
- Germany — leading fax adopter in Europe; healthcare, legal, and public sector routinely rely on fax
- United States — sends millions of faxes to Canada, Mexico, and EU partners daily; healthcare and legal sectors depend on it
Industries that specifically require international faxing:
- Healthcare — referrals, medical records, prescriptions, lab results
- Legal — court filings, notarized documents, contract execution
- Finance — banking authorizations, insurance claims, regulatory filings
- Government — visa applications, customs clearance, official correspondence
Why Fax Won't Be Replaced
In Japan, the government officially endorsed fax as a secure, legally binding channel. Many Japanese agencies still do not accept digital signatures or email for official submissions. International businesses dealing with Japan must understand fax is not optional — it's the protocol.
How to Format an International Fax Number
Wrong number formatting causes the majority of failed international faxes. There are two systems: exit codes (for traditional fax machines) and the universal + prefix (for online services and modern apps).
Exit Codes: For Traditional Fax Machines
An exit code tells your fax machine to dial out of your local telephone network before connecting internationally.
| Region | Exit Code | Example (sending to London +44 20 7946 0958) |
|---|---|---|
| United States & Canada | 011 | 011 44 20 7946 0958 |
| Europe (most countries) | 00 | 00 44 20 7946 0958 |
| Japan | 010 | 010 44 20 7946 0958 |
| Australia | 0011 | 0011 44 20 7946 0958 |
| Mexico | 00 | 00 44 20 7946 0958 |
Universal + Format: For Online Services
Online fax services accept the + symbol as a universal replacement for any exit code. This is the recommended format:
+[country code][area code without leading zero][local number]
Real examples:
- US number (212) 555-0100 →
+1 212 555 0100 - London number 020 7946 0958 →
+44 20 7946 0958 - Berlin number 030 1234 5678 →
+49 30 1234 5678 - Tokyo number 03-1234-5678 →
+81 3 1234 5678 - Sydney number (02) 9876 5432 →
+61 2 9876 5432
The Leading Zero Rule
Most countries include a leading zero in their domestic area codes — London "020", Munich "089", Tokyo "03". Always drop this leading zero when dialing internationally. London's "020" becomes "20" after +44. Munich's "089" becomes "89" after +49. This is the single most common cause of failed international faxes.
Italy Exception
Italy (+39) is a well-known exception: the leading zero in Italian area codes must be retained when dialing internationally. Milan's area code "02" stays "02" — dial +39 02 XXXX XXXX, not +39 2 XXXX XXXX.
International Fax Country Codes: Quick Reference
The table below covers the destinations most frequently used for international faxing. For a complete list of 200+ countries, see our fax country codes guide.
| Country | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | +1 | 10 digits after +1 |
| Canada | +1 | Same code as the US |
| United Kingdom | +44 | Drop leading 0 from area code |
| Germany | +49 | Drop leading 0 from area code |
| France | +33 | Drop leading 0 |
| Italy | +39 | Keep leading 0 (exception) |
| Spain | +34 | No leading zeros in area codes |
| Netherlands | +31 | Drop leading 0 |
| Belgium | +32 | Drop leading 0 |
| Switzerland | +41 | Drop leading 0 |
| Sweden | +46 | Drop leading 0 |
| Norway | +47 | No area code leading zero |
| Denmark | +45 | No area code leading zero |
| Poland | +48 | Drop leading 0 |
| Japan | +81 | Drop leading 0 |
| South Korea | +82 | Drop leading 0 |
| China | +86 | Drop leading 0 |
| Hong Kong | +852 | No leading zeros |
| Singapore | +65 | No leading zeros |
| Australia | +61 | Drop leading 0 |
| New Zealand | +64 | Drop leading 0 |
| Mexico | +52 | Drop leading 0 |
| Brazil | +55 | Drop leading 0 |
| Argentina | +54 | Drop leading 0 |
| India | +91 | Drop leading 0 |
| South Africa | +27 | Drop leading 0 |
| UAE | +971 | Drop leading 0 |
| Israel | +972 | Drop leading 0 |
How to Send an International Fax: Step-by-Step
Method 1: Using mFax (Recommended)
Prepare your document as a PDF
PDF is the most reliable format for international faxing — it preserves fonts, images, and layout regardless of the receiving machine. If your file is a Word document or image, convert it first using the free mFax document converter. For Europe or Asia, set your document to A4 size; for North America, use Letter.
Open mFax and upload your document
Download the mFax app on iOS or Android, or visit mFax.to in any browser. Tap the upload button and select your PDF. mFax supports multi-page faxes — just merge your pages into one PDF first using the free merge PDF tool if needed.
Enter the international fax number
Type the recipient's number in + format:
+[country code][area code without leading zero][local number]. mFax
validates the format and flags obvious errors before transmission.
Add a cover sheet
International faxes benefit from a cover sheet that identifies the sender, recipient country, total pages, and subject. Generate one free with the mFax cover sheet generator. For sensitive documents, use a confidentiality notice on the cover sheet.
Send and save your confirmation
Tap Send. International delivery typically completes in 1–3 minutes. mFax sends a delivery receipt to your email — save it. For legal, healthcare, and compliance use cases, delivery confirmation is your audit trail.
Method 2: Traditional Fax Machine
- Pick up the handset or press the external line key
- Dial your exit code (011 from US/Canada, 00 from Europe)
- Dial the destination country code (e.g., 44 for UK)
- Dial the area code — drop the leading zero
- Dial the local number
- Feed your document and press Send/Start
Cost Warning for Traditional Machines
International fax on a physical machine is billed at international telephone call rates — typically $2–$15 per minute. A 5-page fax at standard transmission speed (around 30 seconds per page) costs $15–$50. Online services charge a fraction of that, regardless of destination.
International Fax Costs in 2026
Costs depend heavily on your method and destination region.
| Method | Typical Cost Per Page | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional fax machine | $2–$15/min | International call rates; $15–$50 for a 5-page fax |
| Retail store (Staples, FedEx Office) | $3.99–$5.99/page | Plus travel time |
| Online fax — monthly plan | $0.05–$0.50 | Flat per-page; most destinations included |
| Online fax — pay-per-send | ~$5 flat | 10–100 pages to any country |
Regional pricing tiers for online fax services generally follow this pattern:
| Destination Region | Typical Online Rate |
|---|---|
| US/Canada ↔ Mexico, UK, EU | Lowest — often included in plan |
| US/Canada → Japan, Korea, Australia | Mid-tier — ~$0.10–$0.30/page |
| US/Canada → South Asia, Africa, Middle East | Higher — ~$0.30–$1.00/page |
For a full country-by-country breakdown, see our international fax rates guide.
Time Zone Considerations
Physical fax machines must be powered on and loaded with paper to receive. If you send a fax at 3 PM Eastern time to a Tokyo office, it arrives at 4 AM local time — the machine may be off, or the fax sits unread on a paper tray until morning.
Target mid-morning at the destination for time-sensitive faxes:
| Destination | Optimal Send Time (Their Local Time) |
|---|---|
| UK (GMT/BST) | 9 AM – 12 PM |
| Germany (CET/CEST) | 9 AM – 11 AM |
| Japan (JST, UTC+9) | 9 AM – 11 AM |
| Australia/Sydney (AEST) | 9 AM – 12 PM |
| Mexico City (CST) | 9 AM – 12 PM |
Eliminate Time Zone Problems with Cloud Fax
Online fax services like mFax Business receive incoming faxes 24/7 to a cloud inbox. The recipient doesn't need a physical machine running — they open their app or email when they arrive at work. This eliminates the time zone problem entirely for business-to-business international faxing.
Regional Compliance Considerations
EU and GDPR
If you are transmitting personal data to EU recipients — customer records, patient information, HR documents — GDPR applies to the sender, not just the receiver. Key obligations:
- Data minimization: only transmit information necessary for the stated purpose
- Accuracy: verify the recipient's fax number before every send; a misdirected fax containing personal data is a reportable data breach under GDPR
- Audit trail: use a fax service that logs delivery confirmations with timestamps
- Encryption: online fax services using TLS transmission are preferable to unencrypted voice-circuit faxing
HIPAA and Cross-Border Health Data
US healthcare organizations faxing protected health information (PHI) internationally remain bound by HIPAA — the destination country's laws govern the recipient, but HIPAA still governs your send. Requirements:
- Use a HIPAA-compliant fax service with a signed Business Associate Agreement (BAA)
- Verify the recipient's fax number before every transmission
- Never include PHI (diagnoses, Social Security Numbers, date of birth) on the cover sheet
- Retain delivery confirmations as part of your audit record
See our guide to the best HIPAA compliant online fax services for options with international coverage and BAA availability.
Japan — Legal and Cultural Notes
In Japan, faxed documents carry legal weight equivalent to signed originals. For business correspondence, cover sheets should be in Japanese. Most Japanese businesses expect faxes to include a formal greeting and sender's company details. Sending an English-only cover sheet to a Japanese partner is considered unprofessional. Use bilingual templates for Japanese recipients.
Troubleshooting Failed International Faxes
"Invalid Number" or "No Route to Destination"
The format is wrong. Check:
- Did you include the
+or exit code? - Did you drop the leading zero from the area code? (UK "020" → "20", Germany "089" → "89")
- Is the total digit count correct? US numbers are 10 digits after +1; UK numbers are 9–10 after +44
"No Answer" or "Ring No Answer"
- The receiving machine is powered off — send during the recipient's business hours
- The line is overloaded — retry after 15–30 minutes
- The number may be inactive — confirm with the recipient via email or phone
"Communication Error" or "T30 Error"
Caused by:
- Line quality degradation on long-distance voice circuits
- VoIP interference — if your fax machine is connected via a VoIP adapter, VoIP lines frequently cause T30 errors on international calls. See our VoIP fax troubleshooting guide
- Incompatible fax protocols between older machines
Online fax services avoid most T30 errors by routing over the internet instead of voice circuits.
Paper Size Mismatch
US Letter (8.5×11") documents sent to A4 countries may arrive cropped or with white margins that push content off the edge.
| Region | Standard Paper Size | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| North America | Letter | 8.5 × 11 in (216 × 279 mm) |
| Europe, Asia, Oceania | A4 | 8.27 × 11.69 in (210 × 297 mm) |
| Legal documents (US) | Legal | 8.5 × 14 in |
Fix: Format your PDF in A4 before sending to European or Asian recipients. Most word processors and PDF tools have an A4 paper size option in their print/export settings.
Country-Specific Fax Guides
For step-by-step instructions tailored to specific destinations, see our dedicated country guides:
- How to Fax to Germany — country code +49, healthcare requirements, common German fax workflows
- How to Fax to Japan — country code +81, format conventions, cultural etiquette
- How to Fax to Mexico — country code +52, domestic vs. international rate differences
- How to Fax to the UK from the US — country code +44, common format mistakes, cost comparison
International Fax Best Practices Checklist
- ✓Use an online fax service — avoid international call charges and voice-circuit quality issues
- ✓Format the number correctly — +[country code][area code without leading zero][local number]
- ✓Send as PDF — locks fonts, images, and layout; most reliable format across all receiving machines
- ✓Match the paper size — A4 for Europe, Asia, and Australia; Letter for North America
- ✓Time your send — target mid-morning at the destination for physical fax machines
- ✓Include a cover sheet — sender name, company, phone, recipient number, page count, subject
- ✓Verify the number before sending — confirm the recipient's current fax number via email or phone; numbers change
- ✓Save the delivery confirmation — required for legal, healthcare, and compliance documentation
- ✓Know your compliance obligations — GDPR for EU recipients, HIPAA for US health data, regardless of destination
Send Your International Fax Now
mFax.to delivers to 100+ countries from any phone or browser. Upload your PDF, enter the number in +[country code] format, and send. Delivery in 1–3 minutes, confirmation in your inbox.
For businesses and healthcare organizations with regular international fax needs, mFax Business adds HIPAA compliance features, delivery audit logs, virtual fax numbers, and team accounts — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). Rather than rigid fixed tiers, you build your own plan with a live calculator, picking the exact seats and pages your team needs and paying only for what you use. No fax machine. No international call charges. No complicated setup.
Download the mFax app or visit mFax.to to send your first international fax today.