Sending payments abroad

[adamnichols45]

Why is this never a simple task.

Is it possible todo this from the post office? My bank only offers this service oer the phone which seems stupid to me having to spell out long foreign words!

do you find it easier?

Uk

[tutorial]

If I've managed to find a right thing, you can send and receive money from postoffice. Have you seen this [postoffice.co.uk]?

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I had a similar problem with the RBS on my business account a few months ago. I wanted to make a payment to an Australian company and I was given a complex form to complete.

I took it home, completed it and took it back to the bank next day. When I presented it I was asked for photographic ID! This was in a local branch where I am known to them and I have banked there for more than thirty years.

Needless to say I did not have photographic IID with me and I was very upset at my time being wasted like this. I walked out, went home and opened a new business account with the Alliance and Leicester Commercial Bank. They allow me to make foreign payments quicky and simply online with a few mouse clicks and they charge less than the RBS for this.

[aspdaddy]

Also try banks that are TIPA & Swift members.

[adamnichols45]

The post office was one I was interested in but im wondering how secure this method of payment is.

I dont know the person its a first business contact so I want to rest assured.

[piatkow]

When I worked as a bank clerk 30 years ago (UK) there was a legal requirement to know your customers. I have no idea if there has been a change in the law or if RBS are being silly but I have had the same problem with them.

[lammert]

Why is this never a simple task.

It is a simple task, at least if you have a good bank. I can send money to foreign bank accounts all over the world via my Internet on-line banking interface. The only thing I need to know are the SWIFT address of the bank and the account number of the receiver.

As far as I know every reputable bank in the world has a SWIFT address, or at least has an agreement with an upstream bank in their country with a SWIFT address which handles international transactions on behalf of them.

[FattyB]

I am with HSBC and, as per other banks mentioned above, can make international payments in any currency online. In fact they usually arrive by close of business the same day in the target country, much like using CHAPS in UK.

There is a charge of £15 per transaction though.