Find the best way to send money to Russia

Looking for a way to send money to family, friends or a business in Russia (or even to your own bank account overseas)? According to MoneySmart, you should avoid Australian banks and go with a money transfer specialist to get better RUB exchange rates and lower fees on international transfers.

Unfortunately, Finder doesn't have any providers that can help you send money to Russia from Australia. Transferring money to countries like Russia is challenging but potentially services such as Western Union and WorldRemit are worth exploring.

Best ways to send money to Russia from Australia

The best way to send money to Russia depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.

• Online money transfer provider. When buying Australian dollars or Russian rubles money transfer specialists typically offer better rates and cheaper fees than a local bank.
• Bank transfer. Bank transfers are an easy way to send money to Russia but they charge extra for the convenience and are often slower than other methods. AU banks generally add a 3% to 6% markup onto exchange rates.
• Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in Russia.
• Mobile wallet. Essentially an electronic wallet service, mobile wallets allow users to store, send and receive eligible currencies using their phone, often with fees attached.
• Home delivery. If your recipient may struggle to get to a cash pickup location, you may be able to opt for door-to-door cash delivery.

Cheapest way to send money to Russia

As reported by the ACCC, bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to Russia. Xe Money Transfers and Remitly have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

Remember, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer to Russia and this has a couple of elements:

• Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your Australian bank, money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
• Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market AUD/RUB exchange rate.

Certain providers may give the mid-market rate but add fees on top and others will have low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many Russian rubles your recipient will end up with.

Safest way to send money to Russia

The safest way to get your money to Russia is using a provider registered with Australia's industry regulator, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both Australia and Russia.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.

Large money transfers to Russia

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to Russia, consider using a provider such as Xe Large Transfers to secure a better RUB exchange rate and benefit from its expertise handling larger transactions.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:

• Tax guidance. Large transfers to Russia may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on the Australian Taxation Office's latest advice.
• Foreign exchange tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the RUB exchange rate you want.
• Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can offer advice and help facilitate transfers.
• Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, providers such as Xe Large Transfers and Xe Money Transfers can provide support over the phone.

Example: Anastasia transfers money to Russia

Anastasia is working in Australia as a film producer and she stays in regular contact with her elderly parents back home in Russia. Her parents need some funds to help pay off a mortgage, so Anastasia plans to send them $2,000 from Australia.

She decides to compare a bank and a money transfer specialist to see which one can save the most money on her transaction.

	Bank	Money transfer company
Exchange rate	1 AUD = 59.06 RUB	1 AUD = 59.84 RUB
Transfer fee	$10	$2.50
Transfer method	Bank account deposit	Bank account deposit
Processing time	2 - 5 working days	Next day
Amount received	117,522.04 RUB	119,526.62 RUB

The money transfer company enables Anastasia to send an extra ₽2,004.58, which is transferred straight to her parents' Sberbank account.

How to choose a money transfer company for Russia

When selecting a provider to transfer money to Russia, here are the main factors to consider:

• Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. However, not every money transfer provider offers the mid-market rate so compare the RUB you're offered to the mid-market rate to calculate the margin.
• Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of the transfer amount? A provider offering to transfer your money to Russia for a flat or low fee might work out better if you're sending a large amount.
• Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Russian bank account or is cash pickup a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
• Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as Remitly offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value.
• Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service.
• Discounts. Providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may give a discount for transferring more than a specific amount of Russian rubles.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I pay for my transfer to Russia?

  The most common payment methods for money transfers to Russia include bank transfer, credit card and debit card. How you pay can influence how quickly your Russian rubles arrive and the total cost of your transfer, so consider both when deciding.

• What details do I need to send money to Russia?

  • Photo identification: Most providers require a driver's license, passport or other Australian government-issued ID.
  • A way to pay: Your options depend on the provider's services. Popular methods include cash, debit or credit card and bank account transfers.
  • Recipient information: You'll need their name (matching their ID) plus contact details. If sending to a Russian bank account, you'll need their account number, SWIFT and branch details.

• What is required to receive money in Russia?

  • Transfer number: The reference number – sometimes called a PIN, MTCN or tracking number.
  • Government-issued ID: An official ID, such as a Russian passport or driver's license.
  • The transfer amount: To know how much has been sent, usually to within 10% of the total.
  • Sender information: The sender's name and address and the transfer's country of origin.

• How much money can I send online to Russia?

  Each provider has its own sending limit. For example, Xe Money Transfers and Remitly allow you to transfer as little as $1 while others will have a much higher minimum threshold.

  Remember that some providers will have different maximum transfer amounts as a result of Australian tax policies or because their service is more limited.

• How long will it take for my money to arrive in Russia?

  The turnaround time for a money transfer to Russia depends on the provider and how you pay for the transfer. Expect your transfer to arrive within minutes if you pay using cash or with a debit or credit card. Paying by bank transfer can take longer – usually 2–5 business days.

• Can I send money to Russia without a bank account?

  Yes, you can still send a money transfer if neither you nor your recipient in Russia has a bank account. Look at cash transfer providers such as Remitly where you can pay with cash and your recipient can collect it as cash or as mobile phone reload on the other end.