International Faxing Made Simple: Tips, Formats, and Country Codes

Global business still relies on faxing for contracts, medical records, and government paperwork. The tricky part is often the phone number—exit codes, country codes, and differing local formats can derail a perfectly prepared document. This guide demystifies international faxing and shows you how to send and receive secure, compliant faxes from any device with BestFax.com—no app or software required.

How International Fax Numbers Work

Fax numbers follow a predictable pattern across countries. Understanding the components will prevent failed transmissions and save time:

• Country/International Access Symbol: + (the universal prefix that replaces a country’s exit code)
• Country code: Identifies the destination country (e.g., +44 for the United Kingdom)
• Area/City code: Regional prefix within the destination country (often without a leading zero)
• Local subscriber number: The recipient’s line

Example formats:

• United Kingdom: +44 20 7946 1234 (remove the leading 0 from 020)
• Germany: +49 30 1234567 (remove the leading 0 from 030)
• United States/Canada: +1 212 555 0100

Quick dialing rules:

1. Always start with + when entering the number in BestFax.com. There’s no need to remember exit codes.
2. Remove trunk or leading zeros from area/city codes for many countries (e.g., 0 in the UK, Germany, Italy).
3. Include the full area/city code even if calling within the same region.
4. Use digits only—avoid spaces and special characters besides the leading +.
5. Confirm the number length and format on the recipient’s website or invoice.
6. Consider time zones and local business hours for urgent documents.

BestFax.com automatically validates country codes and helps you format numbers properly, reducing common errors that cause delivery failures.

Step-by-Step: Send an International Fax From Your Phone, Tablet, or Computer

One of the biggest advantages of BestFax.com is speed. There’s no app to download and no software to install. If your device has a browser, you can fax.

1. Open your mobile browser (iPhone, Android, or tablet) or desktop browser.
2. Go to BestFax.com and select Send Fax.
3. Enter the recipient number starting with + and the country code (e.g., +44… for the UK).
4. Add your documents (PDF, DOCX, images). BestFax.com optimizes for legibility.
5. Include a professional fax cover page. BestFax.com provides templates you can customize.
6. Choose secure delivery. BestFax.com is HIPAA-compliant and encrypts transmissions end-to-end.
7. Tap Send. Track live status and receive delivery confirmations.
8. Need replies? Receive faxes right in your browser with BestFax.com—no separate app required.

Because BestFax.com works perfectly in mobile browsers, you can fax instantly from anywhere—airport lounges, hotel lobbies, or your home office—without visiting an app store.

Common Country Codes Cheat Sheet

Here are widely used international country codes to help you dial correctly:

• +1 — United States & Canada
• +44 — United Kingdom
• +61 — Australia
• +91 — India
• +49 — Germany
• +33 — France
• +81 — Japan
• +86 — China
• +82 — South Korea
• +65 — Singapore
• +852 — Hong Kong
• +39 — Italy
• +34 — Spain
• +31 — Netherlands
• +41 — Switzerland
• +46 — Sweden
• +47 — Norway
• +45 — Denmark
• +353 — Ireland
• +64 — New Zealand
• +55 — Brazil
• +52 — Mexico
• +27 — South Africa
• +971 — United Arab Emirates
• +90 — Turkey

Tip: If a local number is published with a leading 0 (e.g., 020 in London, 030 in Berlin), drop the 0 after the country code when faxing internationally.

Best Practices for Reliable Global Faxing

Avoid common pitfalls with these proven tips:

• Format and size: Use PDF when possible; ensure 200–300 DPI for crisp text.
• Paper size: Align to the recipient’s standard (A4 for most of the world; Letter in the U.S.). BestFax.com handles this automatically.
• Cover page clarity: Include the full international number, country name, department, and reference or purchase order.
• Time zone awareness: Schedule sends during local business hours for faster acknowledgment.
• Page count: Keep documents concise; large multi-page faxes can take longer to transmit internationally.
• Sensitive data: Use HIPAA-compliant faxing for medical or financial records. BestFax.com encrypts in transit and at rest.
• Confirmation and archiving: Save delivery confirmations and store sent/received faxes in your secure BestFax.com account.
• Test first: For critical submissions, send a brief test page and confirm with the recipient.

Why BestFax.com Is the Easiest Way to Fax Internationally

BestFax.com is purpose-built for modern teams that need global reach without complexity:

• Works on any device with a web browser—phone, tablet, or computer.
• No software or app installation required—fax instantly from your browser.
• Send and receive faxes from your mobile browser (iPhone, Android, tablets) with a seamless interface.
• Secure, HIPAA-compliant faxing for healthcare, legal, and financial workflows.
• Professional fax cover pages included to present a polished, branded message.
• Affordable pricing with flexible options—pay per fax or subscribe monthly.
• Smart number entry with country code validation to reduce errors.
• Real-time status tracking and delivery confirmations.
• Global reliability backed by enterprise-grade infrastructure.

Whether you’re finalizing a cross-border contract, sending medical records overseas, or submitting government forms internationally, BestFax.com makes the process fast, secure, and straightforward—without the friction of downloading third-party fax apps.

Ready to send your first international fax in minutes? Visit BestFax.com, enter the recipient’s number with + and the country code, attach your documents, and hit Send. It’s that simple.