There are many ways to send money from the United States to another country, including wire transfers via a bank or credit union, money transfers via a transfer network such as MoneyGram or using a mail service to send travelers' checks or a personal check overseas. Using a wire or money transfer is the more secure and a quicker method to send funds overseas, although using these services can also be more expensive, depending where you are sending the money.
Sending a Check Overseas Using the Post Office
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Step 1
Put your check in an addressed envelope.
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Step 2
Go to the local post office. You can locate your local post office via the "Locate a Post Office" option on usps.com.
Step 3
Ask the post-office attendant to weigh your envelope and run through the delivery options for sending your envelope overseas. Mention to the attendant that you want your mail insured for the dollar amount of the personal check.
Step 4
Pick a delivery option based on when you want your personal check to arrive. The Post Office offers a number of options to send mail and packages overseas which also include a minimum level of insurance. Look these up online at usps.com (see References). The services range from the "Global Express Guarantee" option, which is the fastest and most secure way to send mail, to the "First Class Mail International" option, which is the slowest but least expensive to send mail overseas.
Step 5
Ask for the tracking option if you've chosen one of the more expensive mail options. The attendant will give you a tracking number once you pay for the delivery option that you want.
Step 6
Check to make sure your envelope arrives at its correct destination based on the date that the post office told you it would arrive. You can do this by either taking the tracking number slip back to the post office so they can check the status of the package for you or you can check on usps.com by typing in the tracking number under the "Track & Confirm" section of the website.
Sending a Check Overseas Using a Shipping Service
Step 1
Take your check to the closest personal shipping service, such as FedEx or UPS.
Step 2
Place your check in one of the shipping-service provider's cardboard envelopes. Write the name and address of the check's destination on the envelope.
Step 3
Fill in the shipping form, including your personal details plus the details of the addressee. Request full insurance coverage for the contents of the envelope.
Step 4
Pick a delivery option for the check, depending upon how quickly you need it to get to the address. You will pay significantly more for the mail service if you need to envelope to get there in 24 to 48 hours.
Step 5
Get a tracking number from the clerk and take a copy of the shipping form.
Step 6
Check to make sure your envelope arrived at its correct destination with the tracking number. You can take the tracking number into the local branch and ask the attendant to look it up for you, you can call it in to the company's customer-service line or you can type in the tracking number into the "Track a Package" section of the company's website (see References).
Tip
People in many countries may find it very hard to cash a check on a U.S. bank.
Warning
Mail sent overseas can be subject to extensive delays or can get lost.