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Where can I buy a postal/money order in US Dollars?

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Hi, Does anyone know where I can buy a postal/money order in US dollars to send to America? I can't find any info online, do the post office sell them? Thanks in advance
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  • You can get a US Dollar money order from Barclays - the last one I heard of cost £12.

    The best and cheapest way to send money to the US is to buy the Dollars from the Post Office and send the cash by Registered Insured Mail to the States, which has to be signed for - Airsure. Only covers up to £100 cash I had to pay for something in Australia this way about 18 months ago.

    Airsure® costs just £4.20 on top of the Airmail Letter, Printed Paper or Small Packet postage price for your item. This price includes up to £34.00 compensation for loss or damage.

    If you’re sending valuable items, you can get additional cover of up to £500 for an additional £2.00 on top of the £4.20 Airsure® fee. However, the maximum compensation for cash and money sent via Airsure® is £100.


    Have a look at the Royal Mail website.
  • richt71
    richt71 Posts: 946 Forumite
    Cute 'n' quirky is right the only places now for these are the banks or some foriegn exchanges (all charge the same sort of fees) since the post office stopped doing international money orders to the US. As stated might be worth sending the cash covered by postage as this will be cheaper if it's for a low amount.
  • digerati
    digerati Posts: 533 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    There is a cheap way to get US Postal Money Orders in the UK provided you live near a US military base. Pop into an on base US Post Office and you can buy them over the counter for a small fee. You'll need to pay in US$ cash.

    Most UK banks can issue US$ denominated bank money orders (usually known as demand drafts) drawn on a US bank, but they aren't cheap or cost effective for smaller sums (less than £120).

    Alternatively if you have any friends or relatives in the USA, ask them to buy a US money order or check and send it on your behalf to the seller. You can pay them from your PayPal balance to their personal PayPal account (so they don't incur any fees) or by sending them something not available in the USA, in exchange for their help.
    "Money is truthful. If a person speaks of their honour, make sure they pay in cash."
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Money order and US bank draft or cheque are basically the same thing.

    Expensive for smaller items though.
  • user051105
    user051105 Posts: 652 Forumite
    A quick question, if this for an ebay purchase would you be covered under ebay by using a moneyorder.
    Debt Free Wannabee - Updated 13/08/2007
    Barclaycard - [strike]£3002[/strike] now £1712 Mortgage - £84,393 - Paid in 340 months time.
  • Dave_Brooker
    Dave_Brooker Posts: 1,128 Forumite
    autobahn wrote: »
    Hi, Does anyone know where I can buy a postal/money order in US dollars to send to America? I can't find any info online, do the post office sell them? Thanks in advance

    https://www.bidpay.com/SendAuctionPaymentLanding.aspx
    The money, Dave...
  • digerati wrote: »
    There is a cheap way to get US Postal Money Orders in the UK provided you live near a US military base. Pop into an on base US Post Office and you can buy them over the counter for a small fee. You'll need to pay in US$ cash.

    Most UK banks can issue US$ denominated bank money orders (usually known as demand drafts) drawn on a US bank, but they aren't cheap or cost effective for smaller sums (less than £120).

    Alternatively if you have any friends or relatives in the USA, ask them to buy a US money order or check and send it on your behalf to the seller. You can pay them from your PayPal balance to their personal PayPal account (so they don't incur any fees) or by sending them something not available in the USA, in exchange for their help.

    I would love to know how to get into such a base, the royal marines commando training centre where my hubby works as a civilian chef (sargents
    mess), has tight security and you can't get in without a pass. When my hubby got the job he had to have security clearance before he could start, this took 3 weeks as they checked his background, mine, my mother's & step-father's, my dad's & step-mother's, and his parents, and had to check references also.
  • Dave_Brooker
    Dave_Brooker Posts: 1,128 Forumite
    I would love to know how to get into such a base

    Dress up in an orange jump suit and put a bag on your head?
    The money, Dave...
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 74,121 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    user051105 wrote: »
    A quick question, if this for an ebay purchase would you be covered under ebay by using a moneyorder.

    you would have no ebay protection at all.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • Western Union provide a cost effective service for transfering $ to USA
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