Sending cash to the States

[georgiemum]

I need to send some cash ($) to my sister in the states from the UK (£). What is the cheapest way so that neither of us gets stung with high bank charges. Any ideas?

I do it via my HSBC account by way of a wire transfer. It takes 2 to 3 days to get there and they charge 21 for it and the bank in the US charges $15 but it does depend on the bank as other US banks charge a different amount. Also, as I found out fairly recently, it depends on the amount you send. I have regularly over the last 12 years sent large amounts, usually in excess of 1,000 (sterling) but I found out recently that there is a cheaper way to do it but it can take a day or two longer.
I'd suggest you contact your own bank and see what they offer You will need full details of your sister's bank account in the states, to include account number, swift code and routing number.

Paypal?

I have convert UK Pounds to USA Dollars free at a local travel agent and posted to the USA in a card. Bit risky in case it gets lost but very cheap !!!

It's about £150 and I don't want to risk putting it in an envelope! Not sure about PayPal - it always seems to cost more that I think!

I will check with my bank to see how much they charge - I think it's about £20.

Many thanks Guys!

if you mark it as a 'gift' on pay pal you dont get charged fees

oooooh. never knew that.

My mum was the orignial geordie minx!

georgiemum

You may be hit with two lots of charges - the UK based bank one and the US bank charges. This may well come off the £150 that you send. Would agree that you need as many details as possible re your sister's account. Also US branch banking is certainly not anything like as sophisticated as the UK system so it may well take some days or even weeks to arrive in her account.

What you also need to bear in mind as well is that the pound/dollar rate is not good at present.