Money Transfer Services in Lebanon: Sending and Receiving Across Borders

Whether your family abroad sends you USD or you send to a relative outside Lebanon, transfer services are part of everyday life. Knowing the fee and FX structures lets you keep more of the money.

Main channels

• Global brands: Western Union, MoneyGram, OMT, Whish Money, and others. Pickup at branch in USD or LBP.
• Bank wires: SWIFT to a Lebanese bank account; subject to bank's rules on receiving currency.
• Fintech alternatives: Wise, Remitly, and others — generally to foreign accounts, sometimes paid out via partner network.
• Local exchange houses: can sometimes coordinate transfers with overseas partners.

Costs to compare

• Upfront transfer fee paid by sender
• Exchange rate margin between mid-market and rate offered
• Pickup or payout currency — USD vs. LBP makes a big difference
• Any cash-out commission at the local branch

Tips

• Compare total cost (fee + FX) on a sample $1000 transfer across providers before choosing a default.
• For large transfers, splitting across two channels can hedge against issues.
• Keep the reference number — pickup requires ID and the code.