International Money Transfer: Where to Do It

Consumers who are sending money to their families or friends in another country have several options, but the expense and length of time it takes to complete a transfer are important factors when considering a method.

While consumers can choose from several banks and fintech companies to complete a wire transfer, they should take these considerations into account:

Fees. The fees are what a bank or company such as Western Union or PayPal will charge you to send money outside of the U.S. The fee is typically a percentage of the amount. Another factor to remember is that the company will likely charge you a markup on the currency exchange rate. Consumers should not expect the best exchange rate when sending U.S. dollars to another country such as Mexico or China.

Limits on amounts. Another factor to consider is limits on amounts. Depending on the bank or company that you select, there will likely be a minimum amount that you can send overseas and also maximums on the amounts to comply with various international banking regulations. The limits could apply to each transaction or be a cumulative amount over a set period of time.

Timing. One major factor is the length of time it takes the money to arrive in another country. The funds could take several days or more to be available in your family member’s bank account. There are other options available if the money transfer needs to be basically instant. If your recipient needs the money soon, plan on paying another fee for the convenience.

Money destinations. Some services will transfer money into a bank account, but others will require that the recipient have an account with the service. Determine which option is most convenient before the money transfer occurs. Other companies like Western Union allow people to pick up actual cash at various physical locations.

Countries. Shop around and compare the various services since many focus on certain countries and are not available everywhere. In some countries, receiving money from the U.S. may not be an option.

You can use the bank where you have a checking or savings account to conduct your international money transfer or open an account with various companies that specialize in sending money, such as Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, Xoom, TransferWise or Paysend.

The fees for transferring money can add up quickly. For example, Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank charges $45 for international wire transfers or when you send money to another country, said spokesman Alan Aldinger. The minimum amount is $100.

Here are some of the top services for sending money internationally.

Western Union. Western Union is the best bet if your family member or friend needs to receive money via cash. The company is located in more than 200 countries and 500,000 locations. Western Union’s fees are comparable to its competitors, and the exchange rate markup ranges from less than 1% to more than 6%, depending on the currency and destination. The amount limits vary by country. Same-day money transfers are possible if you send funds by cash, debit or credit card.

MoneyGram. MoneyGram is the second-largest money transfer provider and competes with Western Union. It operates in more than 200 countries and has about 350,000 retail locations, which is convenient if you want the recipient to receive cash. Transfers from bank accounts are low-cost, but fees via other methods, along with MoneyGram’s exchange rates, which run up to more than 3%, are more costly. Same-day money transfers are an option.

PayPal. Use PayPal if you’re sending money to someone who also has a PayPal account. If you need to send money to a person’s bank account, consider Xoom, which was acquired by PayPal. If you send money from your PayPal balance or bank account, the fee is 5%, with a minimum fee of 99 cents and maximum of $4.99. When you use a debit or credit card, the fee is 5%, plus 2.9% and a currency-based fixed fee.

Xoom. Xoom is owned by PayPal, the same company that also owns Venmo, and you can send money to nearly 160 countries via Xoom. The fee is $5.99 for transferring via bank accounts for all amounts. The exchange rate markup is 1% to 3% more than the midmarket rate.

TransferWise. The exchange rate appears to be one of the highest, and you can send money in more than 20 currencies and 70-plus countries from U.S. banks. Transfers using a debit or credit card can arrive within a few minutes, but bank transfers take one to three business days.

OFX. OFX does not charge any fees, and the exchange rate is less than 1%, but all transfers must occur within bank accounts, and it typically takes two to four days for your recipient to get the money. The company can transfer money to 197 countries or 55 currencies. The minimum amount of a transfer is $1,000.

Paysend. U.S. customers can send money to more than 70 countries from its website or mobile app. Paysend provides a flat-fee structure of $2 per transaction. Paysend entered the U.S. market in September.

“With hundreds of American banks and financial institutions shuttering physical branches or limiting access due to COVID-19, it’s now even more difficult for millions of U.S.-based immigrants, expats and foreign exchange students to send money back home via traditional transfer methods,” says Paysend’s U.S. general manager, Matt Montes.