Hi everyone, I"m sorry if this has been covered but I couldn't find a solution via google.

I want to purchase an item in France the merchant has sent me a RIB (Relevé d'Identité Bancaire) with their hinformation but I can't figure out how to send money to them. I live in the US. So to transfer money how does this work?

A wire transfer (but this will be expensive - $25-$50) or an international bank draft in euros ($5-$10).

Is that per $ amount or for the whole transaction?

I use this http://www.xe.com/xetrade/ to regularly deposit money into my French account and have used it to pay large amounts to a roofer, but it requires setting up an account with the company like a bank account and might not be worth it for a single transaction unless it is a large amount of money.

No this would be one time deal :/ The amount is less than $5000

It does not cost anything to check their rates, and then you can decide if it is worth the trouble of getting an account.

They want me to send two forms of ID.....ugh, can't I just check.

Call them and ask.

Like Michael, I also use XE. You can send an EFT directly into someone´s bank account with very little hassle and no fees. Setting up an XE account is relatively easy to do and payments are sent from your checking account to whomever you wish. I would call XE and ask for solutions.

There should be absolutely no requirement to send personal information with a bank transfer.

I just applied online now they to call and verify with me those documents just to sign up and check.

Honestly "to check" in my definition mention just that....not signing up just to check.

Then call your bank and see if they do international drafts in euros. If they don't try another bank. When you get it, mail it to the merchant in France.

Oh.....how long does it take to get verified by them? I told the merchant between 1-2 days.

I apologize for the curt response earlier just a pain, never did this before.

How are foreigners able to get a French bank account? One of my friends had to jump through hoops and was only allowed to get an account because she had investments in France.

I had a joint account with my mother who had an account because my parents had a house built in France. Property and accounts transferred to me eventually.

But that is not the issue. One can send money directly to any account in France with the proper account information.

<<how long does it take to get verified by them?>>

I don't understand the question. How long does it take WHAT to get verified by WHOM? You go to the bank, say you want an international draft for X number of euros, pay the bank the U.S. dollar equivalent plus whatever fee they charge, they hand you an international draft, which looks like a check, you put it in an envelope and mail it to France.

Anyone can open a bank account in France. You need to have ID, some money, and be willing to fill out a form or two.

Why can't you just do a wire transfer from your bank?