What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
1,015 posts
676 reviews
345 helpful votes
What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

As most local travel agencies do not accept credit cards for tour services, how safe is wiring money to them?

We have never done this before and have some fear.

Any feedback on this matter?

Warks.England
Destination Expert
for Myanmar, Yangon (Rangoon), Ngapali, Tossa de Mar
Level Contributor
21,647 posts
424 reviews
1,168 helpful votes
1. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

See previous postings on this subject.

In a nutshell-if you are dealing with a reputable agent/hotel they may ask for BACS (bank transfer) for part of the cost in $ to their bank in Bangkok/Singapore and the balance in cash on arrival in Yangon.

I have been doing this for 10 years,it is the way they do business in Myanmar and I have never had a problem.

Myanmar banks were isolated by Bush Jnr as part of his pro democracy campaign and his Government put pressure on Credit Card Companies to stop doing business in Burma thus the tourist industry has to operate this way.

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
1,015 posts
676 reviews
345 helpful votes
2. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

Many thanks for the information. There is an agency, Shan Yoma Travel & Tours, I have heard them mentioned a couple of times in other Myanmar forums. How legit and reputable are they? Feedback appreciated.

Warks.England
Destination Expert
for Myanmar, Yangon (Rangoon), Ngapali, Tossa de Mar
Level Contributor
21,647 posts
424 reviews
1,168 helpful votes
3. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

I certainly believe they are genuine and from reports they seem to be a decent agency.

Kempten, Germany
Level Contributor
192 posts
190 reviews
183 helpful votes
4. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

Shan Yoma Travel & Tours is definitely a better one...very reliable but for hotel prices a bit on the expensive site..

I had very good experiences with myanmartourex (do a google search) for hotel and flight bookings.....20% prepayment via paypal to guarantee your booking (over their chiang mai branch) and cash vs. the vouchers when you arrive @ the airport....

very good in communication and prices

can only recommend

Toby

yangon
Level Contributor
1,281 posts
5 reviews
5 helpful votes
5. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

Myanmartourex also one of the reliable agent in Yangon, Myanmar.

Decatur, Alabama
Level Contributor
100 posts
21 reviews
12 helpful votes
6. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

I just wired money to Tour Mandalay. From research I have done they look to be very reputable. I was a little concerned about wiring money without any recourse but since there really isn't much choice because of US and EU sanctions...I took a chance. What other way, would these companies receive funds for tours? I am sure if these agencies weren't reliable someone would have posted something. I know I would. We won't be leaving for a few months. If anyone has any feedback, would love to hear.

East Coast
Level Contributor
111 posts
4 reviews
38 helpful votes
7. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

trvlbuf-a word to the wise-it is a violation of US law to transfer money from a financial institution into Myanmar as a US citizen-a Brit can't advise you on this. Whether you like it or not, you ought to look at the Treasury Department's abbreviated version of what constitutes a violation of the US sanctions on Myannmar-just look up "Burma sanctions"-you cannot buy jade and bring it back to the US legally-that is a violation-and by buying any gemstones, like Burmese rubies, you will just be putting money into the pockets of the Burmese junta.

If upon arrival into the US, US CBP asks to see what you bought in Myanmar-and sees jade, etc. you could be criminally prosecuted by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. I called OFAC (since I live in DC, and am a lawyer) to clarify certain of the statutory provisions as regards tourists, as opposed to businesspeople regarding transferring of funds-but I couldn't get through to a person-I will take it up with them again when I get back from Myanmar. I am not transferring any funds to my tour operator in Yangon-Santa Maria Travels and Tours-they will get the full amount when I arrive in Yangon.

You can of course do anything and get away with it, but be prepared to face consequences if you don't.

Decatur, Alabama
Level Contributor
100 posts
21 reviews
12 helpful votes
8. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

Thank you for your post. I did not transfer money to Myanmar as my agency is completely government independent ( per them) and associated with agency in Singapore. Since I will be traveleing on Air Asia with my 15 kg....I don't plan on bringing anything back from Myanmar. Plan on doing all my shopping at my last stop before heading home, Shanghai. Thank goodness I am not a shopper.

Since the government has not stopped us from getting visas here in the US. I assume they realize that we will be using hotels and restraunts. And...I would be afraid to purchase any gemstones as I am not educated and would not know a fraud if I saw it!

Thanks for your concern.

East Coast
Level Contributor
111 posts
4 reviews
38 helpful votes
9. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

Hi Margieg-yes it sounds like you have the situation under control-you're right-if your agency is out of Singapore, or another foreign agency, there should be no problem there-and like you, I plan to do my final shopping in Bangkok before returning home, and not in Myanmar-as you rightly point out, the USG has not forbid any tourist travel to Myanmar, thus it is understood that tourists will spend money on restaurants and lodging there-but it is unclear to me the extent to which the sanctions cover tourist issues-and the use of local tour operators for tours, for example, as opposed to the government run operators-I aim to find out more about the sanctions when I return.

Happy travels!

Decatur, Alabama
Level Contributor
100 posts
21 reviews
12 helpful votes
10. Re: What about wiring money to tavel agents in Myanmar?
Save

I just went into yahoo to find info on sanctions. Sure isn't something real easy to find...I should restate that. There is plenty on US sanctions but not on what you can and can't bring in. I found nothing yet on buying jade but did find that Burma rubies are not allowed to be imported. Not that that is a problem for me. We are headed to see the World Heritage Sites not only in Myanmar but China, Laos, Vietnam with stopovers in Malaysia and Bangkok. I am going to keep checking. I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

Get answers to your questions about Myanmar
CA$CAD
United States
© 2021 TripAdvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.