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Sending cash abroad: step-by-step
There are various ways in which you can send cash to someone including postal deliveries or giving the cash to someone who is traveling to the recipient’s location.
However, the more practical and convenient way to send cash is through a remittance company such as Western Union, MoneyGram, or others.
While the process may differ slightly across money transfer companies, the basic steps remain the same.
The steps for sending cash through a remittance company include:
Choose a money transfer/remittance provider
Fill out their form
Provide proof of ID
Pay for your transfer (including fees)
Send money and get a receipt
Inform the recipient
Yes, there is a limit on the amount of money you can send at a time.
The limits are lower when you are sending cash than when you are making bank transfers.
These limits vary from provider to provider, but in general, the limits for sending cash are in the $1,000s for individual transfers, with weekly and monthly limits also being common.
Receiving cash from abroad
Once somebody has sent you money, the cash will be available for pickup within minutes.
You will have to visit the nearest agent location and pick up the cash using the transaction ID sent to you by the person who has transferred your money.
You can find the relocations of Western Union here and MoneyGram here.
You will usually also have to provide some form of ID to prove you’re the intended recipient of the cash.
If you’re unable to reach a pickup location, then in some countries it is possible to have cash delivered to your doorstep.
Arrange this with the person sending you the money before they make the transfer if you want to use this option.
If you want to get the cash home delivered, check whether the service is available where you are and what the home delivery fee is.
Reasons and benefits of sending cash
People send cash to others for various reasons, as sending cash comes with a selection of advantages over other money transfer methods.
Some speculate that cash will 'die out' but many reports show an increase in cash transactions worldwide. For example, in the UK there's twice as much cash as there was last year according to BoE.
This simply implies that cash is not going anywhere and remains a popular way of making payments.
Here's a roundup of key reasons and benefits for sending money abroad.
If you/your recipient doesn't have a bank account
Online bank transfer is an option if either the sender or recipient has a bank account.
In this scenario, however, you can still send cash and your recipient will be able to pick it up at a designated location.
Your recipient requires cash urgently
You are sending a cash gift
You prefer dealing in cash
It's common in the destination country
While sending cash physically to a location may not be a great idea as it could get stolen or lost, sending cash through a remittance provider is a very safe option.
The companies that handle these transfers are regulated by the financial authorities in the countries in which they are registered.
They handle millions of transactions each year, meaning you can certainly trust reputable providers with your money.
Moreover, have multiple layers of security to ensure that your money reaches the recipient safely without delays or hassles, such as requiring ID documents both when sending and receiving money.
Cash transfer costs & fees
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as there could be several costs involved in sending cash from one location to another.
The fees will also vary based on whether the cash is being sent domestically or internationally.
Sending cash domestically
If you want to send cash to someone within the same country, you will need to pay a fixed fee on your transfer.
The fee will depend on the service provider you choose, the amount of cash you want to send, and the delivery method you choose, and is usually below $10.
Alternatively, if available, we'd suggest using P2P apps to send money locally, as they are likely to be free as long as you and the recipient have the application.
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Sending cash internationally
For sending cash to another country, you will have to pay different costs.
One component of the cost is still the fixed transfer fee, which will depend on the service provider you choose, the amount you wish to send, and where you want to send it.
In addition to a fixed fee, remittance companies will also charge a mark-up on the exchange rate for any transfer that involves a currency conversion.
Many people are not aware of how this cost component works and often think that all they are paying is the transfer fee.
The reality is that a small margin (usually 2-5%) is charged on top of the interbank exchange rate (the rate you see on search engines) when making a transfer.
This could be a sizeable amount depending on the amount you are sending, so it’s always important to check what the exchange rate you’re getting is before you make a transfer.
How long does it take for cash to be delivered?
In most cases, cash will be available within a few minutes.
However, depending on the currencies available and where the money is going, it may take 1-2 days for the cash to reach the destination, especially when using a bank.
The best way to send cash quickly (almost instantly) is through a money transfer company. They normally operate on a P2P basis, meaning they don’t have to wait for the money to be physically sent.
Instead, the money is only swapped between different accounts held by the company at both ends of the transaction.
So, the cash is available at the recipient’s location instantly. The only time spent is for you to get to the agent's location.
Sending cash by post
It's advisable to NOT send cash in the post.
While it is not completely illegal to send money via mail, it is not advisable to do so.
Sending $5 or $10 bills tucked inside birthday cards is not illegal but it’s not advisable to send larger amounts in the post.
If you wish to send larger amounts through the mail (which in any case is not ideal, check our guide to large transfers instead), it is a better idea to use international money orders as these are more secure.
With money orders, you can get a money order of the required denomination from the post office and mail it to the recipient. The recipient can then have it cashed and it's much safer than sending cash.
However, this will still be more expensive and usually slower than simply using a money transfer provider to send cash.
Help & FAQ
Get answers to the most common questions asked when sending money abroad. Covers costs, fees and the best way to compare.
Let's recap: Sending cash abroad
If the recipient doesn't have a bank account, needs cash immediately, or you want to send a cash gift, using cash transfers is a good option.
Using a money transfer company is your best option, as they can arrange for your recipient to collect cash from a pickup point within minutes or even instantly.
Some providers also offer cash delivery, but this is limited to certain countries and usually costs extra.
You will need to pay a fixed transfer fee, and for international transfers, a margin on the exchange rate. These costs can add up, so always check the fee structure before sending.
To keep costs low, choose the right provider using our money transfer comparison tool.
