Send Money to Zimbabwe Cheaply

Here’s how you can send money quickly, simply and affordably from Australia to Zimbabwe.

More than 30,000 Australians were born in Zimbabwe, and with a large Zimbabwean expat community in Sydney and Western Australia, there are plenty of reasons why you might need to send money to Zimbabwe from Australia.

Banks versus money transfer services

Depending on your financial institution, you may be able to send funds to Zimbabwe through your bank. However, banks don’t typically offer an affordable service when it comes to international money transfers, as they charge high fees and less than ideal exchange rates.

You can usually get a better deal if you utilise the services of a specialist money transfer company. These providers offer simple and convenient online transfers and better exchange rates than the banks. They also charge lower fees and will sometimes waive their fees when you transfer more than a specific amount.

What currency is used Zimbabwe?

Following a period of instability and hyperinflation, the Zimbabwean Dollar is currently being phased out and will no longer be accepted as legal tender by the end of 2015.  Currencies including the South African Rand, Botswana Pula, British Pound Sterling, Indian Rupee, Euro, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollar and the United States Dollar are now acceptable forms of payment in Zimbabwe.

This has several implications when you need to send money to Zimbabwe. While some banks and money transfer providers exclude Zimbabwe from the list of countries they send funds to, a range of popular currencies are now accepted as legal tender. This means that there are options available when you need to send money to Zimbabwe.

Some of the banks and providers that allow you to send money from Australia to Zimbabwe include Commonwealth Bank, WorldRemit, Western Union and MoneyGram.

How to compare transfer companies when transferring money to Zimbabwe

• Exchange rates. Even a small difference in rates can add up to a big difference when you calculate the total cost of a transfer, so see how the rates of each provider stack up against each other.
• Fees. It’s a good idea to compare the fees that apply to an international money transfer. Some companies will even offer free transfers if you send more than a certain amount.
• Transfer methods. Compare the options available for placing transfers: online, over the phone, using an app and/or by visiting a branch.
• Transfer options. Can you lodge forward contracts to take advantage of favourable market conditions? Can you place a limit order so that your transaction is placed when certain market conditions are reached? Can you schedule recurring payments in advance?
• Turnaround time. Compare the processing times of different providers to determine how long it will take for your funds to arrive.
• Minimum amount. If a company imposes a high minimum limit on the transfers it handles, this can be restrictive if you don’t want to send a large amount of money.
• Pickup methods. While some companies allow your recipient to collect cash in person by visiting an agent location, others offer transfers direct to your recipient’s bank account.
• Customer service. Will you be able to access phone, email and/or online support if you need help with a transaction?

How to send money to Zimbabwe from Australia

• Bank transfers. Some Australian banks will offer transfers to banks in Zimbabwe, so you should check with your financial institution for more details.
• Online money transfer providers. Companies like WorldRemit allow you to lodge fast and easy online transfers to Zimbabwe.
• Money transfer companies with cash pickup options. Companies such as Western Union and MoneyGram allow you to transfer funds that can be picked up from a number of local agent locations in Zimbabwe.
• Cheques. Posting an international guaranteed cheque to Zimbabwe is a slow but secure money transfer method.

Emergency cash transfers in Zimbabwe

If you need to send an emergency transfer to Zimbabwe, be mindful that you will have to pay extra to get your funds to your recipient as soon as possible.

Not only will higher transfer fees apply but you will usually also have to contend with an exchange rate lower than what you might be able to get for an ordinary transfer. This is why you should always take the time to read the fine print and make sure you’re fully aware of exactly how much your transaction will cost.

Cash pickup locations in Zimbabwe / Western Union / MoneyGram branches in Zimbabwe

Western Union and MoneyGram are the proud owners of the two largest money transfer networks in the world, each boasting hundreds of thousands of agent locations across the globe. When you send funds for cash collection through one of these providers, make sure your recipient has the transaction reference number and photo ID on hand when they go to pick up the cash.

Here are a few popular cash pickup locations in Zimbabwe:

Tips for picking up cash in Zimbabwe

As theft is a common occurrence in certain areas of Zimbabwe, you should be cautious when you pick up cash. Take someone along with you for added protection and avoid any areas that are known for being unsafe.

Keep your cash and your wallet concealed so that you don’t advertise your wealth to thieves, and deposit the cash with your bank as soon as you can.

How to send money to Zimbabwe

Whichever option you choose for your money transfer from Australia to Zimbabwe, you’ll usually have to sign up for an account with the provider before you can send your funds. This will involve providing:

• Your full name
• You address
• Your contact details
• Proof of ID

Once you’ve lodged a transfer you will usually be given a receipt or a reference number that you can use to monitor the progress of your funds.