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Sending Money Internationally

Send money overseas safely with U.S. Postal Service® international money orders. 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 money order, 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).
Image showing fake money order.

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)

Important: The Sure Money Program Has Ended

As of July 14, 2024, USPS stopped offering Sure Money international wire transfers. Here’s what you need to know:

Between now and October 14, 2024: If you have an existing transaction in progress, you can still submit an inquiry, request a refund/cancellation, or change recipients at a Post Office location that offers Sure Money services.

Between October 14 and December 14, 2024: To request a refund, you need to contact the USPS Accounting Services, Financial Reporting office:

  1. Write a letter requesting a Sure Money refund. Include your name and address (or if you’re requesting on behalf of someone else, include their name and address).
  2. Include a copy of the receipt with the transaction confirmation number.
  3. Address your envelope, add postage, and send it to:
    Accounting Services
    ATTN Financial Reporting
    2825 Lone Oak Pkwy
    Eagan MN 55121-9617

Note: An additional $10.00 processing fee will be withheld from the total refund amount.

Charges & Fees

Expand All
Transaction Type* Fee

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).