Quick answer: Sending money internationally still costs about 6% of the amount on average — roughly $30 lost on a $500 transfer. The biggest cost is usually hidden in the exchange rate, not the visible fee. Switching to a digital, low-spread service can put much of that money back in your family's hands.
Every dollar lost to fees is a dollar that never reaches Brazil. Here's how to keep more of it.
Why traditional transfers cost so much
For decades, sending money home meant passing through a chain of middlemen. The World Bank reports that average global remittance costs remain near 6%, and bank wires can run even higher. That cost comes from correspondent banking networks, multiple intermediary banks, opaque FX spreads, and settlement that takes days.
As PTX founder Darley Tomaz puts it, traditional platforms often "treat immigrants as transaction numbers, hiding exchange-rate margins." The fee you see is rarely the full story.
The real cost is the exchange rate
Here's what most services don't advertise: the headline "fee" is often the smallest part. The bigger hit is the exchange-rate spread — the gap between the real market rate and the rate you're given. Traditional money-transfer services frequently charge spreads of up to 3%. Newer blockchain-based platforms aim much lower; PTX Exchange targets spreads of 1.2% or less by using direct market access to cut out the intermediaries.
When comparing services, ignore the advertised fee and look at one number: how many reais your family actually receives.
Five ways to lower your remittance costs
- Compare the final amount received in reais — not the upfront fee.
- Use bank-funded digital transfers, which are cheaper and exempt from the 2026 cash-transfer tax.
- Send larger amounts less often to dilute fixed per-transfer fees.
- Avoid airport kiosks and cash counters, which carry the worst rates.
- Choose a low-spread provider. A spread of 1.2% versus 3% can mean tens of dollars saved on every single transfer.
Speed counts too
Cost isn't the only thing that drains traditional transfers — so does waiting. Bank wires can take 3–5 days. The next generation of remittance apps settles in seconds: PTX Exchange is built to complete the vast majority of transfers in under a minute. Your family sees the money fast, and you keep more of it.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest way to send money to Brazil?
Low-spread digital transfers offer the lowest total cost and avoid the 2026 cash-transfer tax. Always compare the final amount received in reais.
How much does it cost to send money internationally on average?
The World Bank reports a global average near 6%, though low-spread digital services can be significantly cheaper.
Why did my family receive less than expected?
Usually the exchange-rate spread — the gap between the market rate and the rate the service gave you — plus fees deducted abroad.
