Transferring Money Overseas? Here is What You Need to Know
 
Feb 23, 2017
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There might come a time in your life when you may need to transfer some money to a family member, friend, or employee overseas. Whatever the case may be, you might want to take a look at your options to see which method would be best, especially if you have never done this before. Today, we will take a look at a few tips for getting your money transferred abroad quickly, safely, and at the best rates.

There are walk in type money transfer centers, such as ones operated by Ria, and these centers handle most of the transfers from the US. This is typically done on a cash to cash sort of basis… meaning that you hand over the cash that you want to be sent, and it will be converted to whatever the currency is of the country that you are sending it to. Then, cash will be picked up by your intended recipient. In some countries, it might even be delivered to your recipient.

Knowing how to send money abroad means that you need to know about a few of the key components. These are:

• Affordability
• Reliability
• Safety and Security
• Knowledge and common sense

It is good to know how to send money to someone abroad and to receive it too. You might be traveling someday and have your wallet stolen and need to receive money from someone at home. You never know what can happen.

Exchange Rates

One of the best tips for when you need to send money abroad is to find the best rates of exchange. You need to know that banks are not generally the greatest places for good exchange rates, and this is especially true when it comes to transferring large amounts of money. Instead, you should look for alternate methods of transferring the money, like a money transfer service. To be safe, check with a few different providers of foreign money exchange and compare their rates. Then you will be able to choose the one that offers the best rate so that you will have the most gain on the transfer.

Fees

You will also need to know what the transfer fees are. These can be quietly tacked on to the transaction on both ends, from the sender and to the recipient. Look for services that will give you reasonable transfer fees when you need to send money overseas.

Safety and Security

If you happen to be using a money transfer company or a bank, make sure that you are secure and safe. Check and find out which body oversees and regulates the company. By doing this, you will be able to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your money, your intended recipient, and yourself are all safe. Ensure that you will easily be able to get in touch with the customer service team in the event that you need to and that you won’t be diverted to one of those large, automated, irritating call centers in some part of the world that is unreachable.

Why are You Sending Money Abroad?

There are any number of reasons to be sending money abroad. Some of them include but are not limited to things like:

• You or a family member might be relocating for employment purposes.
• You might be purchasing a property where you will spend your retirement.
• You might be sending money as a gift for a birthday or the holidays.
• You might have international suppliers and or customers for your business.
• There might be a family event such as a wedding.
• You might be or have a student in college who is living abroad.
• You might even work as a freelancer and need to send or receive funds for invoices.

When you choose a money transfer service provider that handles your type of transfers on a regular basis, you will be able to be confident that the money you send will arrive safely and that you will be getting the best deal.

The bottom line is this: if you need to send money abroad, or receive it, you need to check around to see who has the best rates of exchange coupled with the lowest fees to get the best deal.

Written by Jane Brown