Organisations that transfer funds between countries tend, in my universal
experience to date. to be thieves using the normal meaning of the term..

Western union is known for its exorbitant charges.

Banks tend to charge a flat fee at both ends which makes for a very stiff
percentage charge when small amounts are being transferred.
My experience is that $NZ25 or $NZ 20i is charged at each end. On a $500
transfer that's about 10% :-(.

I've found that by far the most economical way to transfer money between
countries (and that is probably not appropriate here) is to carry it across
as cash and then use a local money changer at the other end. Only relevant
if you know trusted people who are travlling appropriately. When going to
Hong Kong or China I try to take most of the money I will need as cash. The
best Hong Kong money changers charge a percent relative to true exchange
rate. The airport money changer TravelEx are right up there with Western
Union for charging - possibly worse. Tkere is an amount of cash above which
you need to declare it. Carrying money above this level is legal if you
declare it. I never come anywherenear vtheir limit :-).


                Russell
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