Want to send money to family overseas, pay your child’s tuition fees, or make payments for international business needs? All of these can now be done easily from Indonesia. However, before making a transfer, it is important to understand the process, fees, and factors that affect international money transfers so you are not surprised by hidden charges that may appear.
Here is a complete guide to help you make smarter and more cost-effective transfers in 2026.
What Is an International Money Transfer?
List of contents
- 1 What Is an International Money Transfer?
- 2 Non-Banking Alternatives for International Money Transfers
- 3 Factors That Affect International Transfer Fees
- 4 Estimated International Money Transfer Fees in 2026
- 5 Additional Fees You Need to Pay Attention To
- 6 Tips for More Affordable International Money Transfers
An international money transfer is basically the process of sending funds from your bank account in Indonesia to a person or institution in another country. This is usually done through banks or other financial service providers. Below are some available options for sending money abroad:
- BCA
BCA has a special service for sending money abroad called (or outward) remittanceIf you want to receive money transfers from overseas, you can also use the inward remittance service.There are two fees charged for this transfer: a telex fee of IDR 50,000 and a Full Amount fee of around USD 20 per transaction. However, you must visit a BCA branch office directly to use this service.
- OCBC NISP
This Singapore-based bank has been operating in Indonesia for a long time, and they offer international money transfer services in 10 currencies, ranging from USD and SGD to NZD. The transfer fee is around IDR 50,000 for regular accounts, but if you use a Business Signature account, the fee becomes IDR 75,000 or IDR 100,000 for other account types.
- Mandiri Bank
If you are a Bank Mandiri customer, there is a service called Mandiri Remittance that you can use to send money in 16 foreign currencies. The fees vary depending on the destination currency. For example, sending US dollars costs around USD 25, while sending other currencies can cost up to USD 30.
- CIMB Niaga
CIMB Niaga also offers international money transfer services that you can access through their digital platform, CIMB Clicks. Very practical! The fee is around USD 25 per transaction, or approximately IDR 398,000 using an exchange rate of IDR 15,000.
- BNI
BNI provides a service called Smart Remittance for sending money abroad. You can use it through branch offices or their mobile banking application. The fee is around IDR 35,000 using TT swift. However, don’t forget there may still be additional charges such as provision fees ranging from USD 5–50 and correspondent bank fees of around USD 25.
Non-Banking Alternatives for International Money Transfers
Besides banks, there are now several other options available for sending money abroad. These non-banking services are usually more practical because they can be accessed online without the need to visit a branch office.
In terms of cost, some non-bank services also offer more affordable transfer fees compared to conventional banks. In addition, the exchange rates offered are sometimes more competitive. This is one of the reasons why many people are starting to consider non-bank options for international money transfers.
One example of a non-banking service that can be used is Easylinkwhich provides convenient cross-border money transfers with a fast and simple digital process. With Easylink, you can send money to more than 170 countries starting from only IDR 30,000!
Factors That Affect International Transfer Fees
The cost of sending money abroad is not always the same. There are several factors that affect the amount of the fees:
- Amount of Money Transferred
The larger the amount sent, the higher the service fees or deductions usually charged, especially by traditional banks.
- Destination Country
Certain countries have more complex regulations or banking networks, which can affect both the transfer fees and processing time. Sending money to the United States, for example, may cost differently compared to sending money to Singapore.
- Foreign Exchange Rates
The exchange rate used by banks or service providers greatly affects the total cost. Often, transfer services apply a mark-up to the exchange rate, so make sure to compare the rates being used.
- Correspondent Bank Fees (Intermediary Banks)
If the sending bank does not have a direct partnership with the destination bank, the funds will be transferred through a correspondent bank. In this case, the intermediary bank may add additional fees that are not always visible from the beginning.
- Service Types (Regular vs Instant)
When sending money abroad, you are usually given two service options: Regular or Instant.
Regular Transfer
This is the most common option and the fees are relatively cheaper. However, because it goes through a longer process (including checks by correspondent banks in the destination country), the transfer may take between 1 to 5 business days.
Instant Transfer
As the name suggests, this service is much faster—even within minutes the money can arrive to the recipient. However, this speed usually comes with higher costs.
- Administrative Fees
These administrative fees can either be flat (fixed) or calculated as a percentage of the transfer amount. The amount depends on the policies of each bank or application.
- Taxes
Taxes may be charged by either the sending country or the receiving country, depending on each government’s regulations. For example, some countries impose taxes on funds received from overseas..
Estimated International Money Transfer Fees in 2026
The estimated cost of sending money abroad can vary depending on the policies of each service provider, whether bank or non-bank. To provide a clearer overview, below is a comparison table of estimated fees based on the available service types:
| Service Type | Estimated Transfer Fee | Estimated Delivery Time |
| Bank Transfer (Conventional) | Rp0 – Rp1.440.000 | 1–5 business days |
| Digital Remittance Provider | Starting from IDR 30,000 | Instant up to 3 business days |
Additional Fees You Need to Pay Attention To
Besides the main transfer fee, there are several additional charges that often appear when sending money abroad. It’s important to take these into account so you won’t be surprised when you see the final total cost. Here are some fees that are usually charged:
- Telex Fees
This is the fee for sending transfer instructions through the interbank communication system (usually via SWIFT). In simple terms, it is like a “message delivery” fee from the sending bank to the receiving bank overseas. The amount varies, but it is usually around IDR 50,000.
- Provision Fees
Provision fees are a type of commission or additional administrative service fee charged by banks for fund transfer services. The amount depends on the bank’s policy and the amount of money being sent. Usually, it ranges from USD 5–50.
- Investigation Fees
If there is a problem during the transfer process—for example, the funds are delayed, recipient details are entered incorrectly, or additional tracking is required—the bank may charge an investigation fee. The amount varies depending on the complexity of the case and the bank handling it.
- Taxes
In some cases, international money transfers may also be subject to taxes, especially if the amount is large or related to business transactions. Therefore, it is important to understand the applicable tax regulations both in Indonesia and in the destination country.
Tips for More Affordable International Money Transfers
- Compare exchange rates and fees between services before sending money.
- Use digital remittance services if you want transfers to be faster and cheaper.
- Check for hidden fees such as correspondent bank charges or exchange rate mark-ups.
- Use online fee calculators such as the one provided by Easylink for more accurate estimates.
- Check the regulations of the destination country, especially regarding taxes or transfer limits.
- Make sure the recipient’s details are correct, because incorrect information can delay or even cause the transfer to fail.
- Avoid transfers during holidays or weekends.
- After the transfer is completed, keep the transaction receipt or screenshot as proof for safety purposes.
Sending money abroad is not complicated as long as you understand the process. By understanding the possible fees involved, you can avoid unnecessary expenses. Make sure you choose a trusted, transparent, and suitable transfer service such as Easylink!
A trusted service for international money transfers because it is licensed and directly supervised by Bank Indonesia. So, what are you waiting for? Use Easylink now as a safer, easier, and faster solution for sending money abroad.