what is the safest and easiest way to send money from CH to the USA?

Bank wire transfer.

Hey Dack,

I have to say that some banks really stick you in US when the $ comes in. I had a bank with the military (USAA), where inbound transfers were free. Another bank cost $25 per transfer!

I've had most luck transferring here with UBS, where it costs 10 CHF per transfer only.

The receiving bank in the US may well charge another $20 or so.

Not sure if this helps, but when my principals were wiring payments to me from Boston, it was always USD35 or so short. I then wrote to my bank Postfinance, who wrote this:

Dear Mr XXXXXXXXX

Thank you for your message.
PostFinance doesn't have a agency in US. Normally your bank can send us transaction with the noted details.

If they need an intermediary bank please let them know the following details:

Intermediary bank:

Deutsche Bank Trust Americas, New York
BIC / SWIFT: BKTRUS33
ABA Routing: 021001033

We're pleased to answer your further questions.

Yours sincerely,

Andrea Wittwer
International Services Front Office

It then became a little cheaper for both sides re. wire transfer.

Not many banks are like USAA - I am happy that I have an account with them.

It is CHF 10 at the Kantonalbank as well and I have never had any trouble wiring money.

Cheapest way with the lowest fees is to use an intermediary currency specialist like xe.com. I don't pay anything for the outbound transfer from my Postfinance account (since it's a CH -> CH transfer) and I've never paid anything for receiving an inbound ACH transfer (at least not with Wachovia or USAA, where I hold bank accounts).

I vouch for xe.com too. It is a minor hassle to register with them as they require photocopies of your bank data and passport. (secret banking no more) However, they charge no fees. and generally i notice they take a flat 1.5 cents of the official exchange rate. At least its not a percentage like the other banks do.

They also work really fast...i have the money within 4 business days

transfer from your Swiss account to your US account.

I don't have a US account

So who is the intended recipient of the cash?