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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 right international money transfer service so you feel confident that your money’s secure and will arrive safely.

If you’re making an international payment through HSBC online banking for the first time, we'll ask you to authorize the payment using your Secure Key. This helps us know it's really you and increases your level of security against possible fraud.

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 a regular occurrence, but either way, it's worth checking if you'll be charged a fee.

HSBC Global View and Global Transfers lets you transfer money between globally linked accounts without fees. You'll be able to see your eligible international accounts in one place and set up recurring payments.

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.

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