Sending Money Internationally

Send money overseas safely with U.S. Postal Service® international money orders and Sure Money® (DineroSeguro®) wire transfers. You may send money to people or businesses in countries that have agreements with USPS®. Learn about how much it costs to send an international payment, the maximum amounts you can send, and other requirements.

Send Money Orders within the U.S.

How to Send International Money Orders

International money orders can be purchased at any Post Office location in values up to $700 ($500 for El Salvador and Guyana). An international money order is printed out with only the dollar amount filled in, and all other fields are left blank. As the purchaser, you’ll need to fill in who the money order is payable to.

  1. Decide on the money order amount.
  2. Go to any Post Office location.
  3. Take cash, a debit card, or a traveler’s check. You cannot pay with a credit card.
  4. Fill out the money order at the counter with a retail associate.
    NOTE: International money orders are only printed with the dollar amount. Other fields are left blank. You should fill in the "Pay to" field as quickly as possible; otherwise, if the money order is stolen, anyone can cash it and you cannot apply for a refund.
  5. Pay the dollar value of the money order, the issuing fee of $49.65, and the processing fee based on country.
  6. Keep your receipt to track the money order.
  7. Send the money order via Priority Mail Express International®, Priority Mail International®, First-Class Mail International®, or First-Class Package International Service®.

Countries That Accept Money Orders (IMM 370)

Receiving Money Orders – How to Spot a Fake

Before accepting a money order, make sure it's real. There are several key things to look at to spot a counterfeit money order.

Examine the Paper

Real USPS® money orders have specific marks and designs to prevent fraud. If you hold the money order up to the light you should see:

  • Watermarks of Ben Franklin on the left side repeat top to bottom (circle 1 on image).
  • On the right of the Franklin watermark, a vertical, multicolored thread with the letters “USPS” weaves in and out of the paper to (circle 2 on image).

Check the Dollar Amounts

  • If the dollar amount is discolored, it may have been erased, indicating fraud (circle 3 on image).
  • Make sure the dollar amount is imprinted twice (circle 4 on image).
  • See if the dollar value is too large.
    • Domestic money orders cannot be more than $1,000.
    • International money orders cannot be more than $700 ($500 for El Salvador or Guyana).

Suspect a Fake?

  • If you suspect fraud, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455.
  • If you think you’ve been given a fake money order, call the Money Order Verification System at 1-866-459-7822.

Check the Status of a Money Order

You can check the status of a money order you've purchased from the U.S. Postal Service at any time by visiting the Money Orders Application.

Make sure you have the following information for the postal money order you want to check:

  • Serial number
  • Post Office number
  • Dollar amount

Replacing Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Money Orders

Lost or Stolen Money Orders

You cannot stop payment on postal money orders, but a lost or stolen money order can be replaced.

  • Money order loss or theft may take up to 30 days to confirm.
  • Investigating a money order's lost or stolen status may take up to 60 days.
  • There is a $36.45 processing fee to replace a lost or stolen international money order.

Requesting a Refund

  1. Take your money order receipt to any Post Office location.
  2. Talk to a retail associate at the counter to start a Money Order Inquiry.
  3. After starting the inquiry, you will be able to check the status of your money order and inquiry progress by visiting the Money Orders Application.
  4. When your money order is confirmed lost or stolen, we’ll issue you a replacement money order.

Damaged Money Orders

We'll replace money orders that are defective or damaged. Take the damaged money order and your receipt to your local Post Office location to get a replacement.

Sure Money (DineroSeguro)

How It Works

Sending money abroad with a wire transfer is safe and secure through the Sure Money (DineroSeguro) program.

  • Participating countries have convenient payout locations.
  • Transfers take place during normal business hours at participating branches in the destination country.
  • You can send up to $1,500 a day. Before you send money, you must show an acceptable primary ID with a clear photo. See Acceptable IDs & Restrictions
  • There are no charges when the money is received.
  • Conversion rates are provided at time of purchase.

Participating Countries

Expand All
Country Participating Banks (# of Payment Locations) Currency

Argentina1

BBVA Banco Frances (231)

Argentine Pesos

Colombia2

Banco Davivienda (576)
BBVA Colombia (475)

Colombian Pesos

Dominican Republic

Banco Providencial (44)

Dominican Pesos

Ecuador

Banco Guayaquil (103)
Banco del Austro (65)
Banco Internacional (81)

US Dollars

El Salvador

Banco Agricola (92)
Banco Credomatic (184)
Banco HSBC El Salvadoreno (71)

US Dollars

Guatemala

Banco Industrial (1363)
Elektra–Azteca (135)
Banco de Desarrollo Rural (629)

Quetzales

Honduras

Banco Ficohsa (88)
Elektra–Azteca (58)
Banco Mercantil. BAMER S.A. (397)

Lempiras

Mexico3

Banco BanCoppel (2564)
Elektra Mexico (568)
Telecom (1566)

Mexican Pesos

Nicaragua

Banco Banpro (50)
Banco Credomatic (24)

US Dollars

Peru4

Banco Interbank (223)

US Dollars

Charges & Fees

Expand All
Transaction Type* Fee

Purchase – $0.01 to $750.00

$69.30

Purchase – $750.01 to $1,500.00

$100.25

Refunds

$151.90

Change of Recipient

$80.80

* Charges and fees based on the transaction type.

Need Help?

Call 1-888-368-4669 for more information about Sure Money (DineroSeguro).

1. Effective October 28, 2013, service to Argentina is temporarily suspended. Back ^
2. Effective August 9, 2017, Payout Agent Bancolombia (BBVA Colombia) is no longer offering Dinero Seguro in Cucuta, Col. Customers can use Banco Davivienda payout agents in Cucuta, or have funds picked up outside the city of Cucuta. Back ^
3. Effective March 15, 2016, Payout Agent Elektra MEX is no longer offering Dinero Seguro in Chiapas, Mex. Customers can use Bancoppel or Telecom payout agents in Chiapas, or have funds picked up outside the city of Chiapas. Back ^
4. Effective November 10, 2021, service to Peru is temporarily suspended. Back ^