Managing Money In A Crisis
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How to send money to Haiti
Compare ways to send a fast, secure and low-cost money transfer to Haiti from the US.
Guides
Exchange Rates
You can send money to Haiti in just a few simple steps:
- Compare money transfer services that allow you to send to Haiti.
- Choose a provider and sign up for an account.
- Provide all the details of your transaction, including the amount you want to send and the person who will receive the transfer.
- Confirm and pay.
Compare services that send money to Haiti from Australia
Use our calculator below to check the fees, exchange rates and transfer speeds you’ll get when sending money to Haiti.
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
What’s the best way to send money to Haiti?
There are a few options to choose from when sending money to Haiti, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Banks
The simplest option is to send money to Haiti from your bank account. However, banks typically offer poor exchange rates and charge high fees on international money transfers, so this is unlikely to be the most cost-effective option. You’ll also need to wait several days for your transfer to arrive.
Cash transfers
Some providers allow you to send cash transfers that your recipient in Haiti can collect within minutes. Cash transfers are a fast and convenient option, but they often attract higher fees.
Money transfer services
Specialist money transfer services allow you to send an online transfer that can be deposited in your recipient’s bank account or sometimes collected as cash. They typically offer the best exchange rates and competitive fees when compared to banks.
Let’s crunch the numbers: Sending $500 to Haiti
To get a better idea of how your money transfer options compare, let’s look at an example of sending AUD$500 to Haiti in US dollars.
| Bank transfer | Cash transfer | Money transfer service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | AUD$10 | AUD$50 | AUD$15 |
| Exchange rate | 1 AUD = 0.6410 USD | 1 AUD = AUD = 0.6154 USD | 1 AUD = 0.6625 USD |
| Transfer speed | 2-5 days | Minutes | 1-2 days |
| Amount received | US$320.50 | US$307.70 | US$331.25 |
| Overall | Slowest | Fastest but most expensive | Best value |
As you can see in the table above, fees, exchange rates and transfer speeds all vary based on the method you choose to send money. In this example, the money transfer service offers the best value, allowing you to do the following:
- Send US$10.75 more compared to a bank transfer (however, you will pay an extra AUD$5 in fees)
- Send US$23.55 more and save AUD$35 on fees compared to a cash transfer
This demonstrates just how important it is to compare transfer services before deciding how to send money overseas.
How long will it take to send money to Haiti?
Transaction speeds vary depending on the type of transfer you send. Cash pick-ups are the quickest and can usually be collected by your recipient within minutes, but they’re also the most expensive option.
Transfers to a bank account in Haiti cost less to send but could take two days or longer to arrive.
Emergency cash transfer
If it’s an emergnecy and you need to send money to Haiti fast, cash transfers will be your best bet. This involves paying with a credit or debit card and transferring to a cash pick-up location. While it is fast, there’ll be more fees involved.
How to send money to Haiti without a bank account
If you don’t have a bank account, you’ll need to look for a provider that allows you to send money in person and pay with cash.
If your recipient doesn’t have a bank account either, the service will also need to offer cash pick-ups. Once again, providers like Ria, MoneyGram and Western Union typically offer this service.
What to watch out for
The Haitian gourde (HTG) is the official currency of Haiti, but US dollars have been widely accepted in the country for some time.
However, it’s worth noting that in 2018, the government of Haiti declared that all commercial transactions in the country must be made in gourdes. Despite this, most transfer services only offer the option of sending US dollars to Haiti.
Your recipient will also need to exercise caution when collecting cash in Haiti. Avoiding high crime areas, staying aware of personal surroundings and only carrying cash around for as short a time possible are all sensible steps to take.
Documentation you’ll need to send money to Haiti
You’ll need the following info and documentation to transfer money to Haiti:
- Identification. You’ll need to provide a valid form of photo ID, such as your driver’s licence or passport.
- Transfer amount. Some transfer services allow you to pay in cash, while others also accept credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers and other payment methods.
- Recipient’s details. The transfer service will require your recipient’s name, address and contact details.
- Reason for sending the money. You’ll also need to provide a purpose for the transfer.
What to compare to get the best deal
To find the best value for your money, consider the following factors when comparing money transfer services:
- Fees. Make sure you’re aware of all fees that will apply to your transaction. How do these fees change if you choose a different payment method or send an express transfer?
- Exchange rates. Compare the current exchange rates on offer from different transfer services and how they compare to the mid-market rate.
- Transfer speed. Check the average processing time for transfers to Haiti.
- Payment options. Find out which payment methods the service supports – is your preferred method available?
- Delivery methods. Does the provider offer bank deposits, cash pick-ups or both?
- Customer service. Finally, make sure the money transfer service provides prompt and helpful customer service in case you ever have a problem with a transaction.
Foreign exchange rates explained
The exchange rate reflects the value of one currency relative to another. For example, when the Australian dollar is strong against the Haitian gourde, you’ll be able to purchase more gourde for each Australian dollar you exchange. This is why it’s a good idea to time your transfer for when the Australian dollar is performing strongly.
Learn more by checking out our AUD/HTG exchange rate guide and our AUD/USD exchange rate guide.
