Find the best way to send money to the Central African Republic

Looking for the best way to send money from Canada to family, friends or businesses in the Central African Republic (or even to your own overseas bank account)?

Don't head straight to your Canadian bank – compare specialist money transfer services instead. They nearly always offer better XAF exchange rates and lower fees, so for the same amount of Canadian dollars you send, your recipient will receive more CFA Franc beacs.

Of the companies we've compared, Western Union is among the cheapest, with competitive exchange rates and fees starting from $4.99. Need a really fast transfer? Western Union can get money to your recipient in the Central African Republic within hours.

Best ways to send money to the Central African Republic from Canada

The best way to send money to the Central African Republic depends on your payment method, how you want your money to be received and how fast you need it to arrive.

• Bank transfer. Typically the cheapest option, bank transfers are an easy way to send money to the Central African Republic but are often slower than other methods.
• Cash pickup. If you need your money to arrive fast, cash pickup gives your recipient instant access to the money you've sent when they collect it from their agent location in the Central African Republic.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer. With this type of transfer, the transfer service matches people buying Canadian Dollars in one country with people who are selling it in another, potentially securing a more competitive exchange rate.

Compare the best money transfer companies to send money to the Central African Republic

Use our table to compare the best money transfer companies to send money to the Central African Republic. You can compare deposit and receiving options, fees and transfer speeds, then click the "Go to site" button when you've found the best one to get your money to the Central African Republic.

Cheapest way to send money to the Central African Republic

Bank transfers are typically the cheapest way to get your money to the Central African Republic. Western Union and have some of the lowest bank transfer fees of the brands we've compared.

When you're hunting down the cheapest ways to send money to the Central African Republic, it's more important to look at the overall cost of your transfer. This has a couple of elements:

• Transfer fees. While still cheaper than your Canadian bank, some money transfer services charge either a fixed or percentage-based fee for making your transfer.
• Exchange rates. Another way money transfer providers make money is to add a margin to the mid-market CAD/XAF exchange rate.

Some providers may charge the mid-market rate but add fees on top. Others may have very low fees but apply a markup on the exchange rate. This means it is important to compare exactly how many CFA Franc beacs your recipient will end up with.

Fastest way to send money to the Central African Republic

Many online providers can offer transfers to the Central African Republic within minutes, although you're likely to pay a premium for the convenience.

Here are some of the fastest average transfer speeds to the Central African Republic:

• Western Union — within hours

Actual transfer times from Canada to the Central African Republic can depend on several different factors including transfer amount, payment method and currency.

Safest way to send money to the Central African Republic

The safest way to get your money to the Central African Republic is to use a provider registered with Canada's industry regulator, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. All of the companies we've compared in our table are overseen by a local regulator and comply with the relevant laws and regulations in both Canada and the Central African Republic.

A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each transfer service and researching first-hand customer feedback on Trustpilot and similar platforms.

Large money transfers to the Central African Republic

If you need to make a sizable money transfer to the Central African Republic, consider using a provider such as to benefit from its expertise in handling larger transfer amounts.

Using a large transfer specialist can have the following advantages:

• Tax guidance. Large transfers to the Central African Republic may have tax implications for you or your recipient. A transfer specialist can help get you up to speed on CRA's latest advice.
• Foreign exchange (forex) tools. Advanced tools such as forward contracts, limit orders and stop-loss orders can help you lock in the XAF exchange rate you want.
• Account manager. Some money transfer providers assign a personal account manager who can help and advise you on your transfer needs.
• Phone service. If you want to talk your transfer through with someone, a provider such as Western Union can give you support over the phone.

How to send money to the Central African Republic from Canada

To send money to the Central African Republic, you'll need the necessary documentation, your recipient's details and a way to pay.

1. Compare your options.
   
   Use our table to find a money transfer provider that sends funds to the Central African Republic. One may be better for cash pickups while another may suit a bank transfer. Once you've found the best one for your requirements, click "Go to site".
2. Create an account.
   
   You'll need to give your name, address, contact details, proof of ID and method of payment.
3. Provide your recipient's details.
   
   Enter your recipient's name and contact information. If you're sending straight to their Central African bank account, you'll need the account number, SWIFT or IBAN plus their bank branch's address.
4. Enter your transfer amount.
   
   Check you're happy with the fees, exchange rates and transfer speed, then enter the amount you wish to send. Double-check the total CFA Franc beacs your recipient gets.
5. Complete your transfer.
   
   Send your money transfer to the Central African Republic. Keep your transaction reference number safe so you can track your transfer. Your recipient may need it too.

How to choose the best money transfer companies to send money to the Central African Republic

When choosing a money transfer provider to send money from Canada to the Central African Republic, it's important to consider the cost, how you want your recipient to receive the funds and the turnaround time. Here are other features to review:

• Exchange rates. Banks and transfer services use the mid-market rate to trade with one another. It is the best rate you can get. However, not all money transfer providers offer you this mid-market rate so compare the XAF you're offered to the mid-market rate and look for the smallest difference.
• Transfer fees. Are you being charged a flat fee or a percentage of your transfer amount? For example, a provider offering to transfer your money to the Central African Republic for a flat or low fee might work out better if you plan to send a large amount.
• Transfer type. Does your recipient have a Central African bank account or is cash or cell phone top-up a better option? Each transfer type will have different fees. For example, instant cash pickups tend to be more expensive than bank transfers.
• Transfer speed. If you need your transfer to arrive quickly, you can pay for an express delivery. Companies such as Western Union offer instant cash pickups but may charge more. If you're not in a rush, online money transfer services offer the best value and get your money to the Central African Republic faster and cheaper than banks.
• Transfer purpose. Whether your transfer is for personal or business reasons influences which provider you want to use. If it is a one-off personal transfer, then fast and cheap may be the way to go. But if you make recurring transfers or send large amounts, a business transfer specialist like Western Union Business Solutions may be more economical.
• Forex tools. Are you able to set rate targets, lock in a good XAF rate for the future or create a stop-loss order? Advanced forex tools can help make your transfer cheaper, which is useful if you make multiple transfers a year.
• Transfer limits. Find out how much you can send with each service. For example, Western Union allows transfers up to $7,500.
• Customer support. If you're sending larger amounts or looking for some guidance, it's important to choose a provider you can contact by phone like Western Union.
• Discounts. Some providers may offer you a free transfer simply for signing up. Others may offer a discount if you transfer more than a specific amount of CFA Franc beacs.

Frequently asked questions

• What details do I need to send money to the Central African Republic?

  • Photo identification: Most providers require a driver's license, passport or other Canadian government-issued ID.
  • A way to pay: Your options depend on the provider's services. Popular methods include cash, debit or credit card and bank account transfers.
  • Recipient information: You'll need their name (matching their ID) plus contact details. If sending to a Central African bank account, you'll need their account number, SWIFT and branch details.

• What is required to receive money in the Central African Republic?

  • Transfer number: The reference number – sometimes called a PIN, MTCN or tracking number.
  • Government-issued ID: An official ID, such as a Central African passport or driver's license.
  • The transfer amount: To know how much has been sent, usually to within 10% of the total.
  • Sender information: The sender's name and address and the transfer's country of origin.

• How much money can I send online to the Central African Republic?

  This depends on the provider you choose as each will have its own sending limit. For example, services such as Western Union and allow you to transfer as little as $1 while others will have a significantly higher minimum threshold.

  Remember that some providers will have maximum transfer amounts as well, either as a result of Canadian tax policies or because their service is more limited. If you need to send a large transfer, look for a provider that has higher or no sending limits to the Central African Republic.

• How long will it take for my money to arrive in the Central African Republic?

  The turnaround time for a money transfer to the Central African Republic depends on the provider and how you pay for the transfer. Expect your transfer to arrive within minutes if you pay using cash or with a debit or credit card. Paying by bank transfer can take longer – usually 2–5 days.

• Can I send money to the Central African Republic without a bank account?

  Yes, you can still send a money transfer if neither you nor your recipient in the Central African Republic has a bank account. Look at cash transfer providers such as Western Union where you can pay with cash and your recipient can collect it as cash or as mobile phone reload on the other end.