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How to send money to the USA
Here's how to send a quick, affordable and secure money transfer to the United States from Australia.
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While your local bank branch might be the most obvious option for sending money across borders, you can save on fees and take advantage of more competitive exchange rates with an online money transfer company.
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Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
How to send money to the USA online
Sign up and send money with a digital money transfer specialist in four steps:
- Sign up for a free account. Pick a provider and sign up for a free online account using your contact information, proof of ID and your preferred payment method.
- Provide transfer details. Submit your recipient's contact information and pick a delivery method. If you're transferring to a bank, you'll need your recipient's US-based bank account details.
- Confirm transfer details. Double-check your payment method, expected fees and destination.
- Save your receipt. Record your receipt's confirmation number to track the progress of your transfer to the US. Some money transfer providers send a text or email when your transfer is complete.
Send money overseas with TorFX
TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
What's the best way to send money to the United States?
Online money transfer providers typically offer the strongest exchange rates and lowest fees on money transfers to the US. Some offer transfers straight to US bank accounts, while others allow the money to be picked up in US dollars in person. Banks, PayPal and other options are available but come with high fees, weak rates and longer turnaround times.
Digital money transfer services
Companies like OFX and TorFX specialise in foreign currencies, making them some of the most cost-effective transfers. Most offer transfers directly to your recipient's US-based bank account, often in as little as a day or two.
Cash transfers
Services like MoneyGram allow you to transfer cash for pickup at a local branch in the US — often in 15 minutes. While it's a fast way to send money, you'll pay for the convenience in weak exchange rates and high fees. If a cash pickup is necessary, compare MoneyGram to digital services like WorldRemit when possible.
Banks
US dollars are almost certainly carried by your bank. Although your local bank can convert your currency into US dollars, beware of high fees and wide margins on the exchange rate compared to digital and other options.
Let's crunch the numbers: Sending $2,000 to the US
Let's say you need to send $2,000 from Australia to the US. Here's what you might face as far as fees and exchange rates as of April 1, 2020.
| Digital money transfer service | Cash transfer | Bank transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | $3.99 | $30 | $24 + additional correspondent bank fees |
| Exchange rate | 1 AUD = 0.60 USD | 1 AUD = 0.58 USD | 1 AUD = 0.57 USD |
| Transfer speed | 1-3 days | Minutes | 2-4 days |
| Amount received | US$1,200 | US$1,160 | US$1,140 |
| Verdict |
|
|
|
The bank option ends up being both the slowest and gets the smallest amount of money to your recipient, while the digital money transfer service is the best value. If you go with the cash transfer service, your recipient ends up with US$20 more than the bank offers and it arrives within minutes.
Today's exchange rate AUD to USD
How to get the most out of your money transfer to the USA
Weigh costs and fees against convenience, and learn how to compare money transfer providers that send to the US to meet your needs:
- Exchange rates. The USD relationship with other currencies fluctuates daily, so using a service that allows you to lock-in exchange prices may help you save money down the line if exchange rates take a turn for the worse in the future.
- Transfer fees. Transferring money overseas nearly always requires fees, but they might be hidden in the exchange rate. When sending large amounts, it may be cheaper to pay a flat fee to secure a stronger exchange rate.
- Transfer limits. How much you can send varies by company, and different amounts can attract higher or lower fees. Shop around for the best deal on the number of US dollars you're sending.
- Turnaround. Transferring money through a local bank can take a business week or longer. If you need the funds delivered quickly, seek out a digital specialist that offers instant transfers to the United States.
- Maximum limits. When exchange rates are favorable, sending more money can save you money in the future. If you plan to send large amounts of money to the US, be sure to pick a provider that won't limit you.
- Transfer methods. Whether you want money sent to a US-based bank account or picked up as cash at a local agent, narrow down a company that matches your preferred delivery method.
Emergency cash transfer to the US
When it's more important to get your money to the US quickly, look for money transfer companies that support cash pickup in minutes. You can pay with a credit or debit card for fast pickup, but fees are higher than other methods.
How to send money to the USA without a bank account
Cash transfer services can help you if you're unbanked or marginally banked. If you don't have a bank account, look for a local company that supports storefronts for cash payments. These services include agent locations in other countries that allow your recipient to pick up cash without a bank account.
Documents needed for sending to and receiving money in the US
To send money to the US from abroad, you'll need government-issued ID and other documents, while documents needed to pick up money in the US may be different by company.
Documents to send money to the US
To send money from the abroad to the US, you'll need documentation and details that include:
- Identification. Most services require a driver's license, passport or other government-issued ID. Some services allow you to send transfers without ID.
- Payment method. Your service may accept credit or debit cards, cash, bank accounts or personal checks.
- Recipient information. Submit your recipient's name as it appears on their ID, along with their phone number, US bank account and routing number if sending to their bank.
Documents to receive money in the US
To pick up money in person, documentation can include:
- Transfer number. The person sending you money can forward the transfer's confirmation details — called a PIN, a MTCN, a reference number or a tracking number, depending on the company.
- Government-issued ID. A US government-issued ID is almost always required to pick up cash, but you may be able to set a passphrase if your recipient doesn't have any valid ID.
- Amount sent. You may need to know how much was sent, usually within 10% of the total.
- Sender's information. Take along your sender's full name, the sending country and their address, if known.
What to watch out for
Most money transfers to the United States may be subject to taxes, depending on their amount and place of origin. Unfortunately there are a lot of variables in play, but typically it is always better to report large money transfers to the IRS on your tax forms.
There are a variety of reasons you may be sending money to the US, including repatriating funds you earned abroad. Being extra vigilant about the reasons you're sending money to the US can save you large fees and possible jail time in the future by paying the appropriate taxes now.
Learn more about using the United States dollar in the USA
Bottom line
Sending your hard-earned money to the US shouldn't cost a fortune. Compare transfer companies that specialise in foreign for the strongest rates, lowest fees and flexible delivery.
Send money overseas with TorFX
TorFX guarantees to match any competitor's exchange rate. Conditions apply.TorFX sends money overseas in 30+ currencies, with competitive rates for transfer amounts over $2,000.
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Ask an Expert
What’s the cheapest and fastest way that my family can send money from Melbourne to California? Please give me the most trusted site.
Hello Marie,
Thank you for your comment.
If you’re looking for a fast money transfer to the U.S.A, you may want to check our list of same-day money transfer providers. You can see two popular money transfer companies that will let you transfer money to the U.S. within the day.
You can also check our guide on how to send money to the USA to compare other services and to know the steps on how to send money to the USA online.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
I have actual US dollars(hard currency) that I want to send to someone in the USA. Thus, I don’t need to change Australian dollars into US dollars. Does any company allow this, noting that they usually probably make their profit from the exchange rate.
Hi Darrel,
Thank you for your inquiry.
While there are services on this page that allow USD to USD transfers, they implement an exchange rate which you can compare or the amount received on the table.
Another factor to consider is the transfer fee which can reduce the value of the amount transferred.
You may opt to reach out to the services directly if you have any further concerns.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Maria
I compared options a few weeks ago and Sable came up as the best option.
Now it is not coming up at all – why is this?
Hi Naomi,
Sorry to hear about the issue you’re having.
If you have seen Sable on our table but now it isn’t there, it could be that they are not anymore one of our featured provider. However, you can always read our Sable review page to still learn more about them. if you wish to use their service, please go to their website directly.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
If I send money to China by using citibank plus account, how much total cost would expect?Citibank doesn’t charge but receiving bank or intermediary bank charge for the service. Say, Today I send money US$1000 to Bank of China. How much I have to send AU$ to receiver side to get US1000?
Hi Wolfgang,
Thank you for reaching out.
Please visit our guide to sending money to China from Australia to find more information including fees and exchange rates for multiple money transfer services.
Please ensure to read through the relevant product disclosure statement and terms and conditions to ensure that you got everything covered before you initiate a money transfer.
Regards,
Jodie