Cheapest Way To Transfer Money From Usa To Canada

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While your local bank may be the most obvious way to send money to the UK, you can save on fees and get a more competitive exchange rate with a money transfer company — but make sure it offers a speed and transfer type you're happy with.

Send money to the UK with Dunbridge Financial

Dunbridge Financial offers diverse transfer options to more than 120 countries.

Make international payments in more than 100 currencies
Pay up to 1,000 payees using one mass payment
Work with an account manager to develop the best payment strategies for your business

Compare money transfer services that send to the UK

Compare transfer speeds, minimum sending limits and more when converting your Canadian dollars into British pound sterling.

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

How to send money to the UK online

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 UK 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 UK. Some money transfer providers send a text or email when your transfer is complete.

What's the best way to send money to the United Kingdom?

Online money transfer providers typically offer the strongest exchange rates and lowest fees on money transfers to the UK. Some offer transfers straight to UK bank accounts, while others allow the money to be picked up in British pound sterling in person. Banks, PayPal and other options are available but come with high fees, weak rates and longer turnaround times.

Blue icon representing money transfers Image: Infogram

Digital money transfer services

Companies like OFX and CurrencyTransfer specialize in foreign currencies, making them some of the most cost-effective transfers. Most offer transfers directly to your recipient's UK bank account, often in as little as a day or two.

Picture not described: BlueCoinsCashIcon_Infogram_94x62.png Image: Infogram

Cash transfers

Services like MoneyGram allow you to transfer cash for pickup at a local branch in the UK — 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 or XE when possible.

Picture not described: BlueBankIcon_Infogram_62x56.png Image: Infogram

Banks

British pound sterling is almost certainly carried by your bank, and although your local bank can convert your Canadian dollars into GBP, beware of high fees and wide margins on the exchange rate compared to digital and other options.

Let's crunch the numbers: Sending $1,000 to the UK

Let's say you need to send $1,000 to our northern neighbors. Here's what you might face as far as fees and exchange rates as of May 3, 2020.

	Digital money transfer service	Cash transfer	Bank transfer
Fee	$0	$4.99	$50 + additional correspondent bank fees
Exchange rate	1 CAD = 0.5604 GBP	1 CAD = 0.5335 GBP	1 CAD = 0.5137 GBP
Transfer speed	1-2 day	Minutes	2-5 days
Amount received	GBP 560.40	GBP 530.84	GBP 488.02
Verdict	Best value	Fastest	Slowest and most expensive

The bank option ends up being both the slowest and gets the smallest amount of money to your recipient. If you go with the digital money transfer service, your recipient ends up with GBP 72 more than the bank offers. If speed is crucial, a cash transfer can typically have your transfer to the UK in as little as 15 minutes for a slightly higher fee.

How to get the most out of your money transfer to the UK

Weigh costs and fees against convenience, and learn how to compare money transfer providers that send to the UK to meet your needs:

Exchange rates. The CAD-GBP relationship fluctuates often, 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 amount of British pound sterling 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 Kingdom.
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 UK, be sure to pick a provider that won't limit you.
Transfer methods. Whether you want money sent to a UK 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 UK

When it's more important to get your money to the UK 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.

Services that send the fastest money transfers.

How to send money to the UK 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.

The United Kingdom's exchange rates explained

The exchange rate determines how much one country's currency is worth in another country's currency. When a country's currency is strong, it yields more money when exchanging it in a country with a weaker currency. The UK's exchange rate often fluctuates when compared to the Canadian dollar, so expect exchange rates today to be different than those you'll see tomorrow. Factors that influence the exchange rate include interest rates, economic stability and inflation.

Today's exchange rate CAD to GBP

Documents needed for sending to and receiving money in the UK

To send money to the UK from Canada, you'll need government-issued ID and other documents, while documents needed to pick up money in the United Kingdom may be different by company.

Documents to send money from Canada

To send money from Canada to the UK, 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, but they may require your SIN.
Payment method. Your service may accept credit or debit cards, cash, bank accounts or personal cheques.
Recipient information. Submit your recipient's name as it appears on their ID, along with their phone number, UK bank account and routing number if sending to their bank.

Documents to receive money in the UK

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 (Money Transfer Control Number), a reference number or a tracking number, depending on the company.
Government-issued ID. A official UK Identification Card or a similar government-issued ID is typically required to pick up cash.
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

Money transfers between Canada and the United Kingdom shouldn't have any specific tax obligations attached to them. However, certain laws exist in the UK that may have an effect on your transfer depending on:

The nationality of the receiver.
The residency status of the receiver.
The purpose of the transfer.
The total amount of the transfer.

If your transferring a large amount, it may fall within the UK's regulations regarding inheritances, in which case, taxes may apply. Speak with a tax professional to learn more.

Bottom line

Sending money to the UK shouldn't cost a fortune. Compare transfer companies that specialize in foreign for the strongest rates, lowest fees and flexible delivery. For transfers to other countries, rely on our country specific guides the next time you need to make a transfer.

Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, along with an Associate's Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire's coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. She has also worked extensively in the field of "Blended Finance" with the Canadian government. In her spare time, Claire loves rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.

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