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Tips for sending money overseas

Whether you're making a payment to a company or sending money to a family member, you want overseas transfers to be simple, safe and cost effective.

Here, we explain some of the options and what to look out for.

How to send money to someone outside the U.S.

You can send money outside the U.S. via:

  • A bank
  • A main street firm
  • A foreign exchange broker
With certain providers, you may need an account to transfer money outside the U.S. There may also be fees for sending or receiving money, so check what costs apply before sending money.

You can transfer money using a:

  • Bank transfer
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
Other services may offer different methods for transferring money outside the U.S. Try to find the right one for you. For example, you may want to look for a service that allows you to make recurring payments – like a bank transfer – if you need to send money regularly.

Is it safe to send money outside the U.S?

It certainly can be - but it pays to take care when sending money outside the U.S. Take some time to find the international money service so you feel confident that your money is secure and will arrive safely.

At HSBC, you can send money internationally, fast and safely, through the HSBC U.S. Mobile Banking app.

How to send money between global accounts

If you have bank accounts in different countries, there's a good chance you'll want to transfer money between them. This could be a one-off or regular occurrence, but either way it's worth checking if you'll be charged a fee

We offer 3 convenient ways to send money overseas with no fees:

Global Money Transfers

Use the mobile app to send money to friends, family or your own HSBC accounts abroad.

Global Transfers

Move money between your own global HSBC accounts with the mobile app or online banking.

Online wire transfers

Use online banking to make international transfers in multiple currencies from your eligible[@accounts-eligible-online-wires] accounts. Footnote 

Tips for sending money outside the U.S.

Check exchange rate information and fees

Exchange rates can fluctuate quickly, so make sure the sites you're using have up-to-date information and you know what rate you're getting. When making a transfer, double check the amount you put in, as this may affect the rate you're offered.

Again, make sure you've checked if there are any fees or charges for sending, or receiving, the money. Fees can vary between money transfer services and depending on the amount you're trying to send.

Make sure the service offers the coverage you need

If you know you're going to be sending money outside the U.S. to several different countries, look for a service that covers them all.

With HSBC, you can send money to over 150 countries and use our mobile banking app to send money to existing payees.

Organize your payments

If you're going to be sending money to the same account outside the U.S. regularly, consider setting up a recurring payment.

You may also be able to set up future payments so you don't forget to make them to when you need to.

Learn the lingo

If you're new to sending money overseas, there may be some acronyms and terms you're unfamiliar with – such as IBAN and SWIFT code.

Getting to know these terms and what they mean can make sending money outside the U.S. easier.

Send money in local currency

Send money in the currency that's used in the recipient's country. This avoids extra conversions, fees and payment delays. Overall, there are many benefits to sending in local currency:

  • Faster delivery
  • Lower fees
  • Better exchange rates
  • Fewer delays
  • Recipient gets the exact amount they expect
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Additional information

    Disclaimer

    For clients located outside of the U.S. - Our products and services are not specifically directed at individuals located in the European Union. Our U.S. representatives, as well as our public website, us.hsbc.com, provide products and services governed by U.S. laws and regulations. Our products and services, as well as their specific terms and conditions, are subject to change and may not be available in all territories or to all customers. If your product requires a contract, application, disclosure, or other document to be signed, such document(s) will be deemed executed in the U.S. and only acted upon after you have signed them and they have been received by HSBC in the U.S. If you are not located in the U.S., the laws and regulations of your country of residence could affect the offering, negotiation, discussion, provision, and/or use of HSBC U.S. products and services. If you are not a U.S. resident, please read the specific cross-border product and service disclaimers, which are available on the Cross Border Disclosure page of our public website at us.hsbc.com/crossborder.