Send money from United States to Canada
🏅 The overall best way to send USD to Canada: XE
💲 The cheapest way to send money to Canada from United States: TorFx
⏲️ The fastest way to send money to Canada from United States: XE
🏦 The best way to send money from United States to Canada via a bank transfer: XE
💳 The best provider for credit card transfers from United States to Canada: XE
💳 The best provider for debit card transfers from United States to Canada: XE
How to send money from United States to Canada
Sending money from United States to Canada is straightforward - just compare the providers in the above table to find the best one for your transfer.
Once you’ve found the one you want, click through to their website to finalize your transfer. It takes a few minutes to sign up and enter the required information, like how you want the money to be received and what payment method you prefer. Then you’ll be ready to send money to Canada.
What is the best way to send money from United States to Canada?
The best way to send money from United States to Canada is generally to use a money transfer provider. If you’re looking for the best combination of price, speed, and reliability we recommend using XE when sending USD - CAD.
This means that by using XE for online money transfers to Canada from United States, you are likely to save on transfer fees and benefit from fast speeds - so your recipient will receive more money and have it delivered in less time.
What is the cheapest way to send money from United States to Canada?
Using a money transfer provider and paying by bank transfer is generally the cheapest way to send money from United States to Canada. TorFx is the provider at 1.37% above Mid-Market Rate.
Money transfer providers regularly offer cheaper money transfers than banks and other alternatives for transfers from United States. You won’t need to make an expensive international wire transfer over the SWIFT network, or pay high fees associated with some digital wallets.
How much does it cost to send money from United States to Canada?
The cost in USD to send money to Canada from United States is affected by the following factors:
The transfer fee: The up-front cost of your transfer, this can either be a flat fee or a percentage of the total amount - though some providers don’t charge a fee at all. You’ll likely see the fee in USD, while the total amount received will be shown in CAD
The exchange rate: The exchange rate is the cost of swapping from USD to CAD, and most providers add a markup on this rate. This isn’t always quite as obvious so keep an eye out for the rate you’re being offered to ensure you’re getting the best deal
The amount you’re sending: Providers who specialize in sending large amounts of money will likely offer better rates for bigger transfers, while other companies will charge more
Your payment method: Paying by debit or credit card means you’re likely to face a few extra charges than if you would pay by a bank transfer to your chosen provider, although it is faster. The current best provider for credit card payments is XE
What is the fastest way to send money from United States to Canada?
The fastest way to send money from United States to Canada is XE. They currently offer the fastest transfer speeds for USD - CAD transfers.
Using a money transfer provider to send money from United States to Canada is the best way to secure a fast and affordable money transfer. Arranging a cash pickup for your recipient often means the money is ready for them in minutes, and paying by debit or credit card could speed up your payment processing time.
How long does it take to send money from United States to Canada?
Most money transfer providers will be able to send money from United States to Canada within a day if not on the same day. Some providers, like XE and TorFX, can move your money in 1-2 hours, while WorldRemit can send money abroad in minutes. Remember, your transfer speed can also be affected by:
The amount of USD you’re sending: Most providers still offer fast transfers for large amounts of money to Canada, but there may be extra security checks involved for amounts over a certain threshold
The time of day you send it: If you arrange a transfer from United States after the cut-off time for any banks or providers involved, you might find your transfer is delayed until the next working day
What details do I need to send money from United States to Canada?
To send money from United States to Canada, you’ll need to have the following information to hand:
A form of ID: You’ll need to show a form of photo ID, either in-person or through their mobile app, to verify who you are. Most places in United States will accept a passport or driver’s licence
Recipient details: You will also need to provide details about the recipient, including their full name, address and contact number/email. You’ll also need their bank details including their bank name, account number, transit number, institution number and SWIFT/BIC. Ensure you’re as accurate as possible here as any inconsistencies could slow down or cancel your transfer
A payment method: Finally, you will require a way to pay for your transaction. Most places will accept a bank transfer or a debit/credit card payment, but some providers also allow you to pay in-person with cash or through a digital wallet
How do I pay for my money transfer from United States to Canada?
To pay for your money transfer from United States to Canada, you’ll normally have a few different options depending on your provider. The most common methods include bank transfers and card payments, but some accept digital wallets too.
Sending money from United States to Canada by bank transfer
Paying for your money transfer from United States to Canada by bank transfer is one of the most common methods, and also likely the cheapest. You can use XE to send money and pay via bank transfer. You’ll get a great rate, although your transfer may take a little extra time to process.
How it works is that you make a bank transfer from your bank account to the provider’s branch in United States. The provider will also have a branch in Canada.
They’ll send the same amount of money in the foreign currency from their branch in Canada to the recipient - minus fees and exchange rate markups.
It’s less costly than paying by debit or credit card, and much cheaper than sending a direct wire transfer through the SWIFT banking system.
Sending money from United States to Canada by credit card
If you want to send money from United States to Canada and pay by credit card, many providers will offer this option. We recommend XE as a reliable provider for credit card payments.
Credit cards transfers from United States offer a few benefits. They are a safe and convenient way to pay for goods and services, and these payments are often processed quicker than bank transfers. Some credit card providers even offer cashback and reward points for each time you use them.
Sending money from United States to Canada by debit card
You can also pay for your money transfer with a debit card. If this is your preferred method, we recommend using XE send money to Canada.
Debit card payments are quicker than bank transfers, but they are also a little more expensive as you’ll usually have to pay a currency conversion fee to your debit card provider. However, they are cheaper than credit card payments as they come with far fewer fees - so it could be a good compromise.
Sending money from United States to Canada by digital wallet
Some providers might even let you pay for your money transfer from United States to Canada using a digital wallet like Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal. Just keep an eye out for any extra fees in place.
How do I receive money sent from United States to Canada?
When you receive money sent from United States to Canada, you’ll normally have the following options for how to get the money:
Bank deposit: The money will be sent to your bank account in Canada, where you can then withdraw or transfer the money
Digital wallet deposit: You can have the money sent directly to your mobile money wallet, which can be useful for those who don’t have bank accounts
Cash pickup: You can collect cash from a local money transfer agent if they are available - this is often the quickest way to receive money sent from abroad
When you receive the money from United States, you might need to give certain details to verify that you’re the correct recipient. You may also have to give a transaction reference number and quote the exact sum in either USD or CAD you expect to receive.
You’ll often need to give your full name and address as well as any contact details, and show a form of photo ID. Forms of ID in Canada include a passport, driver’s licence, government-issued ID card, Canadian Military ID card or a Canadian Citizenship card issued before February 1 2012.
How can I find the best USD - CAD exchange rate?
Finding the best exchange rate is crucial to maximising the money received on the other end. Even a small change in the exchange rate you get can make a big impact - a 1% move on a $100,000 transfer is a difference of $1,000.
Usually, you will receive better exchange rates with money transfer provider compared to a traditional bank. Here’s are a few tips to find the best exchange rate online:
Start looking early: Various providers will offer different exchange rates on different days, start looking as early as you can to identify the best provider for your currency pair.
Pay attention to the current exchange rate: Staying up to date with the current exchange rate will give you the advantage to buy and sell on time. Currencies fluctuate daily due to supply and demand, so checking it frequently is advised to get the best rate possible. Alternatively, you can sign up with our price alerts to know when your currency reaches the desired price.
Avoid using your bank: Banks are trustworthy, reliable and convenient, but they do not provide value for money. They charge high fees and usually have higher costs compared to the money transfer provider. Some money transfer companies will even provide a mid-market rate.
Do I pay tax on money transfers from United States to Canada?
If you’re sending money from United States to Canada, you likely won’t need to pay tax on outgoing remittances.
For USD sent to Canada, there may be tax to pay depending on the purpose of the transfer. Gifts are usually tax-free up to a certain amount, while property purchases and employee payments often work differently.
Additionally, transactions above a certain amount, usually $10,000, will be reported to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as part of laws against money laundering. We recommend you consult a lawyer or an accountant about the unique circumstances surrounding your money transfer, as they will better understand the local laws and customs.
How much money can I send from United States to Canada?
There are no official international limits on how much money you can send from United States to Canada. However money transfer providers will usually have their own limits in place.