MEPCO is a payment system that lets you send money to someone in another country using your bank account or cash

MEPCO stands for "Money Express Pakistan Company" and is a money transfer service based in Pakistan. It works like this: you give MEPCO money (either by walking into an agent location with cash or by transferring from your bank account), they send it to someone in Pakistan or a few other countries, and that person picks it up at a MEPCO office there. The money moves within hours or a day, depending on the time you send it and which country it's going to.

MEPCO is one of several services that do this kind of international money transfer. Others you may have heard of include Western Union, MoneyGram, or Wise. The main difference between them is where they have offices, how fast they send money, and what they charge in fees.

Key Takeaways

  • MEPCO lets you send money from the United States to Pakistan and a few other countries by visiting an agent location or using online banking.
  • The person receiving the money picks it up at a MEPCO office in their country using a reference number you receive when you send it.
  • Transfers usually complete within hours, though the exact timing depends on what time you send the money and which country it's going to.
  • You will pay a fee for each transfer, and the amount depends on how much money you are sending and which country it is going to.

How you send money through MEPCO

You have two main ways to send money. The first is to visit a MEPCO agent in person with cash. You walk in, tell them how much you want to send and where it is going, give them the cash and the recipient's details (their name and address), and they give you a receipt with a reference number. You then call, text, or email that reference number to the person receiving the money, and they use it to pick up the cash at a MEPCO office in their country.

The second way is online, if you have a bank account. You log into MEPCO's website or mobile app, enter the recipient's information, choose the amount and destination country, and authorize the payment from your bank account. You still get a reference number to share with the recipient. This method is faster because you do not have to leave home, but it requires you to already have a bank account set up.

Either way, the recipient needs to go to a MEPCO office with the reference number and a form of identification to collect the money. They cannot have it mailed or transferred to their own bank account through MEPCO — they have to pick it up in person.

What MEPCO charges and how long it takes

MEPCO charges a fee for each transfer. The fee amount varies depending on how much money you are sending and which country it is going to. For example, sending money to Pakistan costs less than sending it to some other countries. You pay the fee when you send the money, so the total amount you hand over includes both the money being sent and the fee.

The exchange rate — the price at which your dollars convert to the currency of the receiving country — also matters. MEPCO sets its own exchange rate, which may be slightly different from the rate you see online. This means the person receiving the money may get slightly less than you would calculate using a public exchange rate.

Transfers usually arrive within a few hours if you send during business hours, or by the next business day if you send in the evening or on a weekend. The exact timing depends on MEPCO's processing schedule and the banking hours in the country where the money is being received.

Who uses MEPCO and why

MEPCO is used mainly by people sending money to family members in Pakistan. It is popular in communities with strong ties to Pakistan because MEPCO has many agent locations in the United States and a large network of pickup offices in Pakistan. If you are sending money to a family member who does not have a bank account, or who prefers to receive cash, MEPCO is a straightforward option.

People also use MEPCO when they need the money to arrive quickly and do not want to wait for a bank wire transfer, which can take several business days. Because MEPCO is a specialized money transfer service rather than a bank, it can move money faster than traditional banking channels.

MEPCO compared to other money transfer services

If you are deciding between MEPCO and other services like Western Union or MoneyGram, the main things to compare are the fee amount, the exchange rate offered, how many agent locations are near you, and how many pickup locations are in the country where you are sending money.

Western Union and MoneyGram have more agent locations in the United States than MEPCO does, so they may be easier to reach if you prefer to send cash in person. However, MEPCO may offer better exchange rates or lower fees for transfers to Pakistan specifically, since that is its main market. Wise (formerly TransferWise) is another option if the recipient has a bank account, because Wise transfers money directly into a bank account rather than requiring an in-person pickup.

The best choice depends on your specific situation: where you are sending the money, whether the recipient has a bank account, how quickly you need it to arrive, and which service has convenient locations for you.

What information you need to send money through MEPCO

To send money, you will need the recipient's full name, their street address in the country where they live, and their phone number. Some MEPCO agents may also ask for their date of birth or national identification number, depending on the country and the amount you are sending.

On your end, you will need to provide identification (a driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and proof that the money is yours — usually a recent bank statement or pay stub. These requirements exist because of anti-money-laundering laws that explore to all money transfer services in the United States.

If you are sending money online through MEPCO's website or app, you will also need to verify your bank account information and set up a login. The first time you send money, the verification process may take a few hours or a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money to countries other than Pakistan through MEPCO?

MEPCO primarily serves Pakistan, but it does send money to a few other countries. The list of available destinations changes, so check MEPCO's website or ask an agent which countries they currently support. Fees and exchange rates vary by destination.

What happens if the recipient loses the reference number?

Contact MEPCO with your receipt or transaction details, and they can look up the transfer using your information. The recipient will still need to go to a MEPCO office with identification to collect the money, but MEPCO can provide them with the reference number again.

Is MEPCO safe to use?

MEPCO is a licensed money transfer service regulated by state authorities in the United States. Your money is protected by the same anti-fraud and consumer protection rules that explore to other money transfer services. However, like any service, it is important to use official MEPCO locations and verify you are on the real MEPCO website before sending money online.

Can I cancel a transfer after I have sent it?

If the recipient has not picked up the money yet, contact MEPCO as soon as possible to request a cancellation or reversal. If the money has already been picked up, you cannot cancel it. Response times vary depending on when you contact them and how the money was sent.

What is the maximum amount I can send?

MEPCO has limits on how much you can send in a single transfer and how much you can send in a day or month. These limits vary and may depend on your account history and the country you are sending to. Ask a MEPCO agent or check their website for current limits.