Dont you get charged each time you use atm by them and your own bank i did? I took mainly cash with me but ran out so had to use atm few times. This November i am going take more cash dose any one know the limit you are allowed take into phill? Will change it in manila at money changers they give far better rate than bank, then when i get to Estancia hope open bank account but dont think there is a hsbc,mainly phill banks any one got any preferences?
You can take in the equivalent of $10k I believe. Always good to let the loved one change the money, they always seem to know where to get the best exchange rate.
I would take about a grand in £50 notes and a loaded prepaid credit card, just to be on the safe side. A proper money belt is recommended.
so thats dollars about £7500 was looking take more than that what happens if you get stopped with more than allowed, I took £3000 last time placed in money belt but did not like walking around Estancia with it around my waist it got uncomfortable . So looking open bank account this time in Estancia need large amount as want improve our house
There is a cash limit that one is allowed to carry and declare on arrival in country without incurring in, I believe, confiscation, I hope this clears it for you.
You will have to declare it probably on the little customs form you get on the flight and then in the customs area on arrivals, I would take bank statements showing the money is legit too.
Even simpler solution. Open a BPI account in London and have them open an account in Estancia. You then be able to move funds back and forth but if you're wise you'll only transfer sufficient for your immediate needs at any one time.
thanks for info, think i will just take £7000 with me and do what markham says open bank account in Estancia Last time when i was there used western union they charge to much did not know about azimo or world remit then also used girlfriends bank account sent from my bank on internet but they gave poor exchange rate and also had pay my bank and her bank a fee Can i open BPI bank account on internet do not want go london
Ahhhhhhh go to London........... see the sights, take a few pictures. Have a break, man. better if you go there personally with all the documents in order.
10,000 or 400,000 which is it dollars is £7500 round about, £5450 is around about the pesos. Not been london for 30 years would get lost there now did not like going then so will just declare at customs when land
I used Azimo for many transfers over a number of years. Until reently, no problems, but now, their customer service standards have plummetted. Unless you want to have nightmares wondering where your money went and dayswaiting for email responses, DO NOT use Azimo.
I have used Azimo a few times (when they happen to be the cheapest at the time) but not encountered any particular problems. But they do tend to be a little slow, especially at weekends.
i have used them many times i upgraded to £4000 limit and have sent £2000 had no problem, i am in phill now 6 months and i use them every week for my spending money, i brought pounds with me and go palawan exchange them but i get more pesos from azimo even allowing fee so i use them had no problems what so ever with getting my money. I send to myself on internet and the money is there pick up next day . where i am there are no money changers where i would probably get better rate as i did when i went to the city. I will be useing them again till i have problem with them as they are the cheapest way send
Frank are you sending to yourself online, in other words you sign in to your Azimo account from the Philppines, then you send from that account in your own name to a receiver of the same name and pick up the cash locally, I was always dubious about trying that? Just interested to know if that is exactly what you are doing, and what ID do you have to provide to pick up the cash?
yes thats exactly what i do i brought my lap top bought globe mobile wifi so leave nothing on internet cafe computers . I emailed the support ask them if i can do that send to myself they replied next day said yes so i send to myself to palawan take my passport and the code numbers azimo give me and get my money,been here since November 4 send to myself every week no problem as of yet.
Thanks for that Frank, I have done this before using WorldRemit but I always sent to a member of the family and then we would go together to the shop and she would pick up the money and hand it to me, but I would prefer to send to myself, thanks again useful to know!
I always wondered if you could do that! But something to watch out for is that Azimo don't send money at weekends or on bank holidays. Rather than use your laptop, you could use the Azimo mobile app, assuming you have either an Android or Apple phone. Had you though of using a UK debit card? It can be the cheapest option of all and you have instant access to your money. But it only works out cheaper than Azimo with perhaps three UK debit card providers and then only if you can find a non-Philippine ATM machine as Philippine Banks charge 200 Pesos per withdrawal. 200 Pesos being roughly equal to Azimo's transfer fee of £2.99!
only got an old mobile as where i live uk no signal. Only reason they dont send weekend or bank holidays is that banks are closed. Yes got my halifax clarity card they dont charge to use atm but phill banks charge and last time i came i was scamed useing it some one managed take out £1500 my limit, Halifax did give me it all back after some time spent about £80 on phone to them. if i had not brought cash also i would been stuck. Found best rate is cash but only from money exchangers in manila probably in other big cities but none here where i am. With azimo i got a promotion Nov till end Dec no charge so was not charged any fee now have pay though
