Send Money to Cuba from Canada: Options, Fees and Safety Checks

Last verified: July 21, 2026.

Sending money to family or friends in Cuba is not as simple as choosing the lowest advertised fee. The most important question is what the recipient can actually receive and use: cash, an MLC account or card, a Cuban prepaid card, a mobile top-up or a direct delivery of products.

French version: Comment envoyer de l’argent à Cuba depuis le Canada.

Ways to send money to Cuba from Canada

Best first step: ask what the recipient can use

Before comparing providers, ask the recipient in Cuba what works in their province and for their immediate need. A transfer to an MLC card is not useful if the card is inactive or the person needs cash for local purchases. Cash delivery may be more practical, but only if the address is covered and the recipient can safely receive it.

• Does the recipient have an active MLC account or card?
• Which Cuban bank issued the account or card?
• Would USD cash be more useful?
• Is home delivery available in the recipient’s municipality?
• Would a Cubacel top-up or food delivery solve the immediate problem better?
• Does the recipient have reliable Internet or phone access to receive confirmation?

Fonmoney from Canada to Cuba

Fonmoney has a dedicated Canada-to-Cuba page and states that Canadian customers can pay in Canadian dollars. Its listed services include transfers to MLC accounts or cards, USD cash delivery, the BANDEC Tropical prepaid card and Cubacel top-ups.

The provider currently publishes estimated times of approximately 5 to 7 business days for MLC transfers and 2 to 5 business days for cash delivery. These are provider estimates, not guarantees. Verification, local conditions, banking delays, recipient information and delivery coverage can affect the result.

Before confirming a Fonmoney transaction, check:

• the exact product selected;
• the amount charged in CAD;
• the amount and currency the recipient will receive;
• all fees and exchange-rate information shown at checkout;
• the supported bank, card or municipality;
• the recipient details required for that delivery method;
• the estimated delivery window displayed for the actual transaction.

Sendvalu transfers to Cuba

Sendvalu’s Cuba page currently displays home delivery, debit-card and prepaid-card options. Its site also states that transfer options and timing depend on the transaction. The Cuba destination page alone does not prove that every service is available from every sending country.

Choose Canada as the sending country and proceed far enough to verify the real payout choices before promising money or a delivery date to the recipient. Check the final fee, exchange rate, identity requirements and cancellation conditions before payment.

Can Canadians use Western Union to send money to Cuba?

Do not assume that a Western Union receiving page for Cuba means the Canada-to-Cuba corridor is active. Western Union instructs customers to choose the destination country in the sending portal to see the available methods. The only reliable test is to begin a transaction on the Canadian site and confirm that Cuba is offered for the amount and method you need.

If Cuba does not appear as a destination, do not use an unofficial intermediary claiming to complete the transfer through Western Union.

Cash, MLC, prepaid card or mobile top-up?

How to make a safer first transfer

1. Confirm the recipient’s exact need and preferred delivery method.
2. Use the provider’s official website, not a link sent by an unknown person.
3. Check that Canada is the selected sending country.
4. Verify the recipient’s legal name, address, phone number, bank and card details.
5. Compare the total amount charged with the amount the recipient will receive.
6. Read the estimated delivery time and refund or cancellation rules.
7. Send a small test amount before making a large transfer.
8. Save the receipt, transaction number and screenshots of the confirmed terms.
9. Ask the recipient to confirm what was received and in which form.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a service because an old Facebook comment said it worked.
• Sending a large amount before testing the recipient’s card or address.
• Comparing only the fee and ignoring the exchange rate or payout amount.
• Confusing a Cuban prepaid card with an international Visa or Mastercard.
• Assuming a provider’s Cuba page guarantees service from Canada.
• Entering the recipient’s name differently from their official identification.
• Promising an exact delivery date based only on a general estimate.
• Sending money through an unverified person or unofficial social-media account.

Money transfer or cash for your own trip?

This guide is about supporting someone in Cuba from Canada. It is different from planning your own travel budget. Travellers should separately decide which cash to bring, whether their cards may work and how to manage exchange rates.

For current travel conditions, documents and practical preparation, see:

• D’Viajeros Form in English
• Map of Varadero Hotels on the Strip
• Cuba Live — current conditions in French

FAQ — sending money to Cuba from Canada

What is the best service to send money to Cuba from Canada?

There is no single best service for every recipient. Compare the available payout method, final amount received, total cost, delivery coverage and the recipient’s ability to use the funds.

Can I send money to an MLC card from Canada?

Fonmoney currently lists transfers to MLC accounts and cards from Canada. Confirm the Cuban bank, card status, recipient details, fees and estimated time before payment.

Can I send USD cash to a home address in Cuba?

Fonmoney currently lists USD cash delivery for covered locations. Availability depends on the exact address and the conditions shown during the transaction.

Does Sendvalu work from Canada to Cuba?

Sendvalu displays several receipt options for Cuba, but availability can depend on the sending country. Select Canada and verify the actual options at checkout.

Does Western Union work from Canada to Cuba?

Availability must be checked in the Canadian sending portal. A page explaining how to receive money in Cuba does not by itself confirm that the Canada-to-Cuba corridor is active.

Should I send a large amount the first time?

No. A small test transfer helps confirm the recipient information, delivery method, timing and usability before more money is sent.

Official provider sources

• Fonmoney — Send money to Cuba from Canada
• Sendvalu — Send money to Cuba
• Western Union Canada — verify available destination countries and methods

Bottom line: verify the corridor and delivery method on the day you send, compare the final payout rather than only the advertised fee, and start with a small test. Services and conditions for Cuba can change without much notice.