Compare the best ways to send money to Lebanon

Pay attention to LBP exchange rates, as it determines how much LBP your recipient will receive.

For instance, today’s average USD to LBP rate is 89,566.6093 but the highest rate over the past 3 months was 89,845.4483 LBP/USD.

Your aim is to transfer when LBP reaches a higher value so waiting a few days could result in a better rate, hence more LBP received.

For urgent Lebanese Pound transfers, we recommend Wise. It consistently provided the best LBP rates over the past six months.

How you fund your transfer affects the cost, speed, and the amount of Lebanese Pound the recipient will receive.

The cheapest way to fund your transfer to Lebanon is with a Bank transfer via WorldRemit, which is -8927857.1% cheaper than the next cheapest service.

Based on our six-month analysis of a $2,000 transfer from to Lebanon, here are the top options:

• Remitly (bank transfer): Costs $0 + 0.32% markup on top of the LBP mid-market rate.

• Wise (debit card): Costs $26.78 + 0.1% markup.

• Instarem (credit card): Costs $17.5 + 0% markup.

Bank transfer is the most expensive deposit method for Lebanese Pound transfers, so we recommend avoiding it to maximize the amount of LBP received.

Credit card transfers may result in cash advance fees and higher interest rates when sending money to Lebanon.

For instance, Wise charges $89.53 for credit card deposits, while Remitly charges $0 for bank transfers.

Avoid sending LBP over the SWIFT network, as it's slower and more expensive. Instead, consider cheaper options like ACH or account balance for LBP transfers.

Money transfer companies often have minimum and maximum limits on how much LBP you can transfer.

The amount of LBP you send can impact the fees and exchange rate. Some services such as Wise may offer a better exchange rate for large LBP transfers.

There may also be government-imposed restrictions, commercial limitations, and other factors that may affect how much LBP you can send.

To ensure your money transfer to Lebanon goes smoothly, especially if moving large amounts of Lebanese Pound, use our comparison tool to find the service that best fits your needs.

The speed of sending Lebanese Pound to Lebanon depends on factors like the amount of LBP sent, the chosen deposit and withdrawal methods, and when you send LBP.

As a rule of thumb, faster transfers come with higher fees.

Let’s imagine you want to transfer 2,000 USD to Lebanon, here are your options:

• For the fastest transfers, use Ria Money Transfer - Out of 5 companies serving Lebanon, Ria Money Transfer appeared 22 times in our searches as the fastest service in the past 6 months.

• For bank and card deposits, use Ria Money Transfer - Ria Money Transfer provides fast and affordable LBP transfers, with fees around $4 for bank account deposits and $26.99 for debit/prepaid card deposits, with a small 2.8% markup on the ‘real’ LBP exchange rate.

• For credit card transfers, use Instarem - Instarem charges $17.5 for credit card transfers to Lebanon with 0% markup. However, beware of potential cash advance fees and higher interest rates from your credit card company.

• For urgent transfers, use cash transfer services - If you need Lebanese Pound to be delivered urgently, services like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Ria Money will have it ready within minutes for collection in Lebanon.

Avoid using the SWIFT network for LBP transfers, as intermediary banks slow the process. Instead, opt for faster and more cost-effective alternatives discussed above.

For LBP transfers, you have the following options:

1. Money transfer company - You can transfer money online using an FX broker (managed service) or a self-managed online company like Wise. Based on our 6-month analysis, Wise ranked as the top provider for sending money to Lebanon, appearing in 40 comparisons involving LBP.

2. Mobile apps and digital wallets - Many services available in Lebanon offer mobile apps, often giving transfer offers on LBP rates.

3. Cash transfers - You can send cash to Lebanon through services like Ria Money, MoneyGram, or Western Union. Cash transfers are typically instant, but the recipient must visit a local agent in Lebanon to collect the Lebanese Pound.

4. Wire transfers - While you can wire money to Lebanon through your bank, we advise against it. Banks can charge up to $60 per transfer to Lebanon and add 5% - 6% to the LBP exchange rate. Instead, use bank transfer to deposit money to Wise and send LBP from there.

There are several ways to receive money in Lebanon, and choosing the right one will help the recipient get the most LBP. Mainly, these are:

• Deposit to bank account - For direct bank deposits in Lebanon, we recommend Remitly, which appeared in 55.6% of LBP searches as the cheapest option for bank transfers. LBP will arrive directly to the recipient's bank account in Lebanon.

• Deposit to digital or mobile wallet - LBP can be sent directly to digital wallets like PayPal, though this option often has more limitations and higher costs compared to services like WorldRemit. Recipients in Lebanon will need to transfer it to their account, which may incur more fees.

• Cash pickup or home delivery - If the recipient needs LBP urgently or doesn't have access to a bank account in Lebanon, cash pickup or door-to-door delivery is a good alternative. Be sure to check if these services are available in Lebanon. This will require the recipient to visit a nearby agent in Lebanon.

When making large LBP transfers or sending Lebanese Pound for cash pickup, the recipient may need the following:

• Government-Issued ID: This can be a non-expired and valid passport, driver’s license, or national ID of Lebanon.

• Sender’s Details: Full name, address, and other personal information.

• Transfer Details: The amount being received in LBP.

• Transfer number: This is given at the time of transfer.

• SWIFT Code / IBAN: This may be required for bank transfers to Lebanon from some countries.

*The exact documents may vary depending on the transfer method and service used.

For bank accounts, debit cards, or wallet deposits, the recipient typically doesn’t need to do anything. Lebanese Pound will arrive without their involvement.

For larger transfers, companies may request additional documents like proof of funds and address verification in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering policies.

We recommend using Wise for transferring large amounts of Lebanese Pound.

There may be tax implications and government-imposed limits on Lebanese Pound transfers.

Some Lebanese Pound transfers may be subject to gift tax, commercial tax, and other types of taxes.

Even if no immediate taxes or limits apply, larger LBP transfers may need to be reported to tax authorities in Lebanon or your home country.

To be fully safe, we strongly recommend consulting with a tax professional in either Lebanon or your home country to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and tax laws.