Overseas Bank Transfers

[HST Power]

I want to send some money out to South Africa. Normally, I just give the money when I'm there, but I'm not going back for awhile.

I'm concerned about the cost of overseas transfers. HSBC tell me that I will incur a £9 charge should I make payment online, but as South Africa is outside of the EEA, I may incur other 'beneficiary or agency bank fees.'

Based on previous experiences with South African banks I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up paying more in fees than I am in donations.

So I just wondered if any other forum members had experiences with transfers outside of Europe.

Would I be better off just converting some Rand and putting it in the post?

Thanks.

 

[IanXC]

I have no specific recollection of any further charges being passed back for a payment to South Africa. In any case I've never seen a further charge being passed back of more than £10, or £20 for a payment returned to sender.

What you may want to look out for is, once you specify South Africa, does the online payment ask for a SWIFT or BIC, or a domestic routeing code? If the latter you'll almost definately have no further charge.