How To Send Money To Cuba

With the invention of internet banking, it has never been easier to transfer money around the world. It’s often easy to send money to a friend or family member with the click of a button, or even receive money from an overseas freelance employer.

However, some places are easier than others to transfer money to. On that topic, you might be wanting to send money to somebody in Cuba. How can you? Is it as simple as sending money to other places?

We’ve got the answers for you! In the informative guide below, you’ll find out all about how to send money to Cuba. On top of that, we’ll touch upon the different ways that you can do so, as well as some of the potential problems. 

How To Send Money To Cuba

There are a variety of different methods that you can use to transfer money over into Cuba.

However, it is worth noting that you will not have as much freedom and ease in sending money to Cuba as you would with other countries, and that’s because there are restrictions on the transactions that enter the country.

A large part of these restrictions is because of the trade sanctions between the US and Cuba which have existed for six decades, with no trade between the two countries being allowed. 

As a result, there is a limit to the amount of companies that specialize in money transferral to Cuba: there are only two. We’ll get into those later, but keep in mind how restrictive sending money to Cuba can be.

Different Transfer Methods

Money Transfer Organizations

If you want to transfer money to Cuba through the use of a money transfer service, then you will want to check a few things. The first of these is that your selected service is a trusted provider.

You will want to find a service that ticks the most boxes for what you’re wanting to send, and on top of that you will want to ensure that they have good ratings. Read their reviews and see that people aren’t getting ripped off.

Once you’ve decided upon them, you’ll want to sign up with them. Most are free and easy, but you will need to verify that you are who you say you are, so have the ID documents to hand. When your account has all been set up, you will be able to start sending money.

This can be relatively quick, with most specialist services transferring the money within 24 hours. On top of that, the services have low fees and competitive foreign exchange rates, so you’re likely to be getting a good deal with them. This draws a lot of customers.

Transfer By Bank

You can also send money to Cuba through a bank transfer. You will be used to transferring money to people via the bank, and this works in a similar way.

The transfer can take anywhere from 2 to 7 working days, which may not be ideal for any money that is needed on the other side urgently.

However, there is a big issue with bank transfers to Cuba if you live in America: you cannot do them. Due to the US’ sanctions against Cuba, stretching all the way back to 1962, bank transfers from America to Cuba are actually not allowed.

The sanctions between the two countries are to do with trade, stopping either country from buying or selling to the other. Under this law, bank transfers are just the same as trading, and therefore cannot be carried out. 

That isn’t to say you can’t do transfers from any other country, though. Popular Cuban banks like the Banco Nacional de Cuba will do business with other countries easily.

However, another big downside is that each transfer has a sizable fee: between 20 and 50 dollars. If you’ve got the money, then it’s fine, but for others it may be difficult to make the transfers. 

Debit Card

These are readily accessible and often very quick. However, there is also a fee, which comes to anywhere between 1.5 percent and 3 percent of the amount. With that being said, it’s worth it for the ease.

Cash Pickup

This is all to do with physical money, rather than using a bank account. Certain organizations allow you to get physical money directly to people in Cuba, without so much of the hassle or digital banking.

Mobile Applications

If your bank has an app, then it may offer you international transfers. However, remember that no American banking apps will allow you to send money to Cuba. 

Telephone

You can also organize a money transfer over the phone, though it isn’t as slick and easy as doing it online. Regardless, find the method that you want to use to transfer the money to Cuba, and contact the relevant organization. 

The Different Transfer Companies

Earlier we mentioned that there are only two money transfer organizations that will send money to Cuba. The reason that others don’t like to is because of the restrictions, especially the ban between the US and Cuba transferring money.

This is the loss of a big market for many companies, and so they avoid it altogether. However, the two that do offer a fine  service.

One of them is “Small World”, which is located in the UK, a place that has no sanctions against Cuba already. They offer all kinds of services, including cash pickups and bank accounts, and are available in almost 200 countries around the world.

The other company is “Western Union”, which offers simple and smooth transfers to Cuba. They’ve existed for a very long time, so are clearly trusted and reliable for your money-sending needs. 

Final Thoughts

Follow our guide carefully to find the transferral method that’s best for you!