Send Money Abroad Easily: Cash-Saving Tips for Frequent International Money Transfers (2024)

Need to make international money transfers regularly? Whether it’s sending pocket money to your kids studying abroad, making tuition fee payments or transferring money back to Malaysia every month, there are ways to send money overseas (or back home) cheaply and without hassle.

Ways to Send Money Abroad from Malaysia

Making an international money transfer is easier than you think. In fact, you can easily send money overseas via the CIMB Clicks app/website or the OCTO app. Most banks in Malaysia offer various remittance services, including foreign telegraphic transfer/wire transfer and foreign demand draft.

Here is a quick summary of how foreign telegraphic transfer and foreign demand draft remit money from Malaysia to other countries:

  • Foreign Telegraphic Transfer/Wire transfer: An electronic payment method that sends money from one bank account in one country to another bank account in a different country using a secure network, like the SWIFT network.
  • Foreign Demand Draft: Similar to a bank draft. It is a written order that is issued in one country and made payable in another country.

Apart from banks, there are other money transfer services that are available in the market, such as Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal and others.

But which one is most suited for your regular transfers? Consider these tips before making your decision to ensure that you choose the most affordable and convenient option for your needs:

ALSO READ:Remittance: Find The Best Ways To Send Money Overseas In Malaysia

Compare Exchange Rates Between Providers

Cost is a key factor when choosing a remittance service, especially if you’re making regular transfers. As customers, we’re always looking for the best deals we can find.

The first thing that you should check sending money abroad is the exchange rate. Every remittance service provider uses different foreign exchange (FX) markups so it pays to shop around for the best rates. Some service providers, like CIMB, offer live FX rates that you can follow in real-time using the CIMB Clicks app/web and the OCTO app to potentially capture market opportunities.

You should also keep a lookout for FX promotions and offers to make sure that you get the best deal for your money transfers. CIMB’s Guaranteed Best FX Rate promotion, for example, gives you guaranteed best rates when you make foreign transfers at any CIMB branch or CIMB Clicks – and you can receive a reimbursem*nt of the difference of up to RM300 if you discover lower rates elsewhere within an hour.

What are the Service Fees?

Alongside exchange rates, it's important to keep an eye out for any extra charges when choosing a remittance service. These can include transfer, receiving, and cancellation charges that can add up and take a bite out of your hard-earned money.

When considering an FX service, it's important to choose one that is transparent about any administrative charges that you or the recipient may have to pay. Don't be fooled by promises of "zero transfer fees" as some providers may still require your recipient to pay additional fees in order to collect the transferred funds.

CIMB's SpeedSend, for example, delivers a full amount payout to the recipient with no overseas bank charges. This means that your recipient will receive the full transfer amount in their account.


Speed and Convenience

The next feature to keep in mind is the transaction time, ie. the number of days it takes for your money to reach the recipient. Some remittance services offer instant transfer at a higher service fee, while some might need a few days for the money to reach the recipient – these are sometimes determined by the country and the transfer amount.

If you’re making an emergency transfer to meet some unexpected need or transferring a payment with a tight deadline, then the speed of the transfer will be a priority.

One method that’s speedy with a flat RM10 service fee is SpeedSend, where you can makeinstant transfers to the UK, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Indonesia and to accounts held at CIMB Thai in Thailand. For other countries, the transferred funds will be available via account crediting within 1-3 business days. You can transfer up to RM50,000 per day via the CIMB Clicks app/web and the OCTO app, while unlimited remittance transfers can be made at CIMB branches via Foreign Telegraphic Transfer throughout Malaysia.

Now you can make tuition fee payments or give money to your loved ones quickly, easily and cheaply with CIMB!

Security and Reliability

The final factor to evaluate when choosing a remittance service are security and reliability. A reliable service provider will ensure that your money is delivered on time, all the time. They should also be licensed and in full compliance with all regulations.

At CIMB, we let our reputation and customers speak for us on this matter.For example, our Foreign Telegraphic Transferservice provides safe and secured money transfers via the SWIFT network to more than 200 countries in over 25 currencies.

Never let cost be the overriding determining factor when choosing a remittance service provider. Consider everything we have discussed here to make an informed choice that is best for your needs.

This article is for informational purposes only and CIMB does not make any representation and warranty as to the accuracy, completeness and fairness of any information contained in this article. As this article is general in nature, it is not intended to address the circ*mstances of any particular individual or entity. You are advised to consult a financial advisor or investment professional before making any decisions based on the information contained in this article. CIMB assumes no liability for any consequences arising from your reliance on the information presented here.

Send Money Abroad Easily: Cash-Saving Tips for Frequent International Money Transfers (2024)

FAQs

What is the simplest way to transfer money internationally? ›

Our Top Picks for the Best Ways to Send Money Internationally
  1. Wise — Best for Low Fees.
  2. PayPal — Best for Peer-to-peer Money Transfers.
  3. Western Union — Best for Availability.
  4. MoneyGram — Best for Cash Transfers.
  5. OFX — Best for Large Amounts of Money.
  6. WorldRemit — Best Mobile Option.
  7. XE — Best for Business Transfers.
Mar 9, 2023

Which international money transfer is best? ›

8 Best International Money Transfer Apps in 2024
  • Wise.
  • Revolut.
  • OFX.
  • Western Union.
  • Xoom (a PayPal Service)
  • Remitly.
  • Xe Money Transfer.
  • WorldRemit.
Jan 26, 2024

How to save money on international money transfer? ›

Compare upfront fees and exchange rates across a few different companies. Choose the one that offers the services you need for the lowest fees and best exchange rate. Revisit your service needs. Compare prices and features often to make sure you're getting the best deal.

How much money can you transfer outside the USA? ›

Any international money transfer exceeding $10,000 USD must be reported to the US government on a Foreign Bank Account Report per the Bank Secrecy Act. Many people wonder, “Do large bank transfers take longer than online services?” Typically, the answer is yes.

How much money can I transfer to an international bank account? ›

How much money can you wire without being reported? Financial institutions and money transfer providers are obligated to report international transfers that exceed $10,000.

What is the fastest way to transfer money between banks internationally? ›

The fastest way to move money from one country to another, in a secure fashion, is to use an international wire transfer. You can send thousands of dollars at once and convert the funds to foreign currency as needed.

How to transfer large sums of money internationally? ›

You can send large sums of money from one bank account to another with a wire transfer. These types of transfers are initiated through a bank officer at the delivering bank who fills out the necessary forms.

How to transfer large sums of money? ›

Here are a few of the most common:
  1. Automated clearing house (ACH) ...
  2. Bank-to-bank. ...
  3. Money transfer. ...
  4. Cash-to-cash. ...
  5. Prepaid debit cards. ...
  6. Foreign currency check. ...
  7. International money transfer service.
May 27, 2021

What is the best way to transfer money internationally without fees? ›

OFX gives you a better and cheaper way to send your money internationally. With us, there are no setup costs or monthly fees to keep your account open.

What are the disadvantages of international transfer? ›

International transfers usually cost more compared to local transfers. Once a transfer is made, it's nonreversible. The sender will not be able to get the money back in case he changes his mind. This is risky especially when the transaction is made for paying something, and you don't personally know the receiver.

What are the disadvantages of international money transfer? ›

One of the primary concerns for individuals or businesses sending money internationally is the cost involved. Banks typically charge fees for initiating wire transfers, and these fees can vary widely depending on the bank and the specific services offered.

What are the disadvantages of international bank transfer? ›

Receiving Bank Fees: The recipient's bank may charge fees for receiving an international wire transfer. These will either be deducted from the transfer amount or charged separately. Currency Conversion: Additional fees may be associated with the exchange rate if the transfer requires a currency conversion.

Are international transfers reported to the IRS? ›

So, you can send an international wire of as much as you like, provided that it's within the maximum wire transfer limits set by your bank. However, you should be aware that transfers over $10,000 will automatically be reported to the IRS.

How much money can I transfer without being flagged USA? ›

While the general rule is that wire transfers over $10,000 must be reported to the IRS, there are some exceptions to this requirement. These include: Transactions that are conducted by financial institutions on behalf of the US government. Transactions that are conducted between financial institutions.

How much money can you transfer without getting flagged? ›

Because of the Bank Secrecy Act, all banks and other financial institutions must file a Currency Transaction Report (CTR) for any wire transfer over $10,000. The CTR includes the following information: The name and account number of the person or party initiating the transfer.

Can Zelle be used internationally? ›

Zelle doesn't charge for domestic payments - however, Zelle is not available for international transfers. Both the sender and recipient of a Zelle payment must have US based bank accounts and phone numbers.

How to send money internationally without fees? ›

Choosing to go with a bank may incur a high international or foreign transaction fee. Some banks may even charge your recipient a fee to receive money from overseas. Using a non-bank money transfer service could mean minimal or no fees. At OFX, you receive fee-free transfers* for sending USD internationally.

How do I send money to someone in another country? ›

Bank draft, wire transfer, money order or online remittance – for the occasional transfer, you might not be fussy with how you send your money. There are many options but you should prioritise what's important to you. Some methods are easier but take longer. Some are more expensive but get there quicker.

Can you send money internationally with a credit card? ›

A: Yes, using a credit card for international money transfers may involve fees. These can include a cash advance fee, fees, foreign transaction fees, currency conversion fees, and any fees charged by the money transfer service or digital wallet platform you choose.

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