What is an international money order?
A money order is a piece of paper, similar to a cheque, used to make payments overseas. It is a safe alternative to cash and even personal cheques. On the money order, it is specified who will receive the money, and both the payer and beneficiary must sign it for it to be valid. A money order can be purchased by prepaying the amount printed on it and filling out a form provided by the issuer, and then it can only be paid out to the designated recipient.
International money orders can be obtained from postal services, some banks, and remittance providers such as MoneyGram and Western Union. They are accepted in many countries worldwide and can be converted to local currency in a wide variety of countries.
Pros and cons of international money orders
Like any other payment method, a money order will have benefits and drawbacks. Here's a quick summary of money order pros and cons.
- Convenience: Money orders are a fairly convenient payment method. You don’t need a bank account, and you can pay for it using cash, debit card, or even traveller’s cheques.
- Safety: International money orders are safer than cash if you have to mail money overseas. Even if the order gets lost or stolen, you can get them reissued and don’t have to worry about someone stealing the funds. Also, an international money order usually requires signature of both the payer and beneficiary, which adds a layer of security.
- Guaranteed: Unlike a cheque, a money order cannot bounce as it is already paid for before being sent. So, the payment is guaranteed when the beneficiary collects the funds.
- Expensive: The sender has to pay fees to purchase an international money order, and there are often recipient fees associated as well. This makes international money orders a relatively expensive way of sending money overseas.
- Poor exchange rates: With money orders, you often end up getting poor exchange rates, which can impact the amount of money you’re able to send.
- Slow: International money orders are often mailed to the recipient. This can take a while depending on the countries involved, and is typically slower than online transfers.
How do I send an international money order?
The basic steps involved in sending an international money order are pretty simple. Here; 's a step-by-step guide to take you through the process:
Ensure that international money orders are accepted in the recipient's country: While international money orders are widely accepted, it may still be in your best interest to check if the country where you are sending it supports them. For example, if you have purchased your money order from USPS, it will be accepted in 27 countries only.
Decide where you want to purchase your international money order from: You can purchase your international money order from your bank, postal services, Western Union, MoneyGram and many other providers. First, do some research and find out the provider that proves least expensive and most convenient.
Gather all the information for payment and delivery: You need to be prepared with the name of the recipient and address and also have the necessary cash or debit card ready to pay for the money order. You may be able to pay with credit as well with some providers as well, but this will usually incur extra fees.
Fill out the form: Write the name of the individual or business that will receive the international money order on the line that starts with "Pay to" or "Pay to the Order Of." In the purchaser section, you enter your personal information. If you are paying a bill, include your account number in the memo section.
Sign the international money order: To make the money order cashable, you should sign it where it says "purchaser's signature".
Track your money order: The issuer will provide you with the receipt with the details of your money order and the tracking number. You can use this number to track the money order and to verify whether it has reached the recipient or not.
What are the alternatives to international money orders?
If you're considering other options for transferring your money internationally, the two main options you'll want to consider are using your bank or an online money transfer provider. Of course, these both have their pros and cons, but in general online money transfer providers will be able to deliver your money faster and less expensively than if you use an international money order. Here's a quick summary of these other notable options.
Banks
The most obvious alternative to international money orders is a bank transfer. You can walk into your bank branch or log in to your internet banking account and make an international money transfer. The transfer occurs via the SWIFT network, which is a messaging network used by banks and financial institutions all over the world to transfer information, including money transfer instructions. Depending on where the money is coming from and going, the currencies involved, and the amount of money transfer, your transfer may happen instantly or may take 2-3 days.
Banks tend to be able to facilitate large international transactions, but you'll also have to pay a fixed transfer fee and a mark-up on the exchange rate as high as 5% to make an international money transfer with a bank.
Money transfer companies
Over the past few years, specialised money transfer companies such as XE, Paysend and WorldRemit have emerged as a great alternative to both international money orders and bank transfers. These companies have been successful in employing the latest technologies and improved systems to bring down the transfer times and costs significantly. In general online money transfer companies can offer lower fees than banks; they are quicker and also charge exchange rate margins between 1% and 2%, as opposed to the high margins often levied by banks.
Money transfer companies also support a variety of payment and delivery methods. You can pay for your transfer using bank transfer, debit or credit card, e-wallets, or cash, and the funds can be delivered to the recipient's bank account, picked up in cash, or even home-delivered (depending on the provider you choose). It is important to note that not all services are designed alike, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to all transfer needs, so it's always important to compare your options when transferring money abroad.
To get you started, we've put together a list of the top 10 money transfer companies to help you find the best provider for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do international money orders cost?
How fast are international money orders?
Do international money orders have transfer limits?
Can I cancel an international money order?
Summary
If you're considering whether there might be a better alternative than an international money order, then take the time to compare them to other options such as banks and online money transfer companies. For example, suppose you want a guaranteed prepaid way of delivering money overseas. In that case, international money orders might be for you. Still, by looking into the various online money transfer providers around today, you will probably be able to find a quicker and cheaper way to transfer your funds abroad.
