Paying Canadian bills from the U.S.

[Paul H 4]

So we have a water bill to pay in Canada that we need to pay in Canadian funds. They don't take credit cards, only interact cards and they can only be used in person which is out of the question in this case. We no longer have a Canadian bank account and our U.S. TD Bank claims it's against the law to give us a check in Canadian funds. What other options are there for sending Canadian funds to Canada without sending cash?

Thanks!

[Jess&Tim 0]

Can you send them a money order? That way your funds are verified for them on their end.

[Paul H 4]

Where can you get a money order in Canadian funds?

[eebee 0]

If you go to your bank you should be able to get a foreign currency draft. I did this when I needed to pay for something in Australia from Canada. There is a fee, but they give you what amounts to a certified cheque that you can just send to the company. I would think that US banks would provide the same service.

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Got any friends back from where you were? If so, go to the bank, buy Canadian cash, take the cash, and send it registered mail to your friends and ask them to drop it off.

Other option is to do the above, and simply mail the water company the cash enclosed in a registered envelope. The recipient must sign for it, and I doubt any will go missing.

In my opinion registered mail between Canada and the US is not risky.

That's a pretty creepy water company to treat you like this, many would just say: screw you and not ever pay. It's good that you're honest enough to be making an attempt.

[Jess&Tim 0]

My bank would do one for me (BoA) when I asked about 2 months ago, they said it would take about 2-3 days to get though. Did you ask for a check or money order? I can see a check being a no.

Edited January 20, 2012 by Jess&Tim

[Inky 1,111]

https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

[Paul H 4]

My bank would do one for me (BoA) when I asked about 2 months ago, they said it would take about 2-3 days to get though. Did you ask for a check or money order? I can see a check being a no.

Asked for money order. TD bank won't do it. We'll try Well's Fargo tomorrow when they open. The closest American Express place is a 40 minute drive, but we'll go there if we have to. I think there is a Bank of American in town we could try if Well's Fargo won't do it.

Thanks for the ideas!

[stronger 43]

I believe Moneygram.com helps you pay bills in Canada and the US. Years ago I had a student loan in Canada. I would just send a US check. They would deposit and apply the funds in Canadian funds.

[Kimbear 53]

Where can you get a money order in Canadian funds?

i used to do ebay stuff and the post office was always able to do money orders in both funds..and for cheaper than a bank.

[Allie 5]

https://www.usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm

USPS will not give a money order in Canadian funds. I went down that road with them

when trying to get a money order in Canadian funds for Canadian passport renewal.

I had a money order from Canada sent to me for the renewal.

The International money order they refer to is issued in US funds.

[Kimbear 53]

USPS will not give a money order in Canadian funds. I went down that road with them

when trying to get a money order in Canadian funds for Canadian passport renewal.

I had a money order from Canada sent to me for the renewal.

The International money order they refer to is issued in US funds.

Odd..like i said i do ebay stuff all the time and i always got usps money orders in canadian funds. maybe its just the office where you live? either way wont kill anyone if the op goes to his office and tries.

[Inky 1,111]

USPS will not give a money order in Canadian funds. I went down that road with them

when trying to get a money order in Canadian funds for Canadian passport renewal.

I had a money order from Canada sent to me for the renewal.

The International money order they refer to is issued in US funds.

Weird Iv gotten it in Canadian funds before. Which is why I posted it. Had no issue at all asking for it in Canadian currency.

[Paul H 4]

As it turns out the people at our local TD branch told us a bunch of lies and they got in trouble for it. They now say they can give us a foreign draft check for a $25 fee. We also have an American Express office about 20 miles from us that will give us a foreign draft for no charge being a card holder.

[BBCC 16]

The cheapest way I'm paying Canadian bills here with a US account is to go to a local Canadian bank (RBC is my favourite as they don't charge me any fee) and ask for a cash advance with my US debit card. Exchange rate is good. Then I take the cash and walk into a payment centre for the bill and just pay cash. An option?

Sorry if I'm missing something obvious here but I quickly learned here that money orders are too expensive so I try to avoid them.