Brastel Remit is a trustworthy service from Brastel Co., Ltd. in Japan that makes it easy for people to send money internationally. It's supported by a well-known telecom and tech company and is designed to provide a smooth and efficient way for individuals to send money to other countries.
Brastel Remit offers a user-friendly and secure platform for sending remittances to various countries worldwide. Known for being open and focused on customer satisfaction, Brastel Remit has become a preferred choice for those in search of a trustworthy way to transfer money across borders.
Launched in 2012 with its app version introduced in 2017, Brastel Remit has been downloaded over 100,000 times. This makes it one of the most widely used money transfer services in Japan. Notably, it has gained significant popularity among the Brazilian community residing in Japan.
Now, let's delve into key aspects to consider when using Brastel for your international money transfers. As you embark on your initial transfer from Japan, various factors come into play. Our survey highlights the top three considerations: fees, the duration until the money arrives, and the ease of registration and transfer. In this article, we'll dig deep into Brastel Remittance by considering various factors and incorporating insights from online reviews to offer a complete overview. As we go through these factors, we'll also assign star ratings out of five to give a clear visual representation.
As a disclaimer, it's important to note that this article is not affiliated with Brastel or any other brands. We have not received any compensation for writing this article. Our intention is solely to enhance your experience as a foreigner in Japan.
Fees (5 ⭐)
Brastel applies varying fixed transfer fees, depending on the amount of money and the currency destination. Generally, these fees fall within a range of approximately 500 to 1,500 yen. Notably, Brastel is well-known for providing a competitive exchange rate. Our simulation using an Indonesian currency showed only a 0.5% difference compared to Google Finance data. To give you an idea, when sending 100,000 JPY to Indonesia, choosing Brastel could save you 2,000 to 3,000 JPY compared to sending money using major banks in Indonesia.
But that's not the end of it. Brastel introduces an additional money depositing fee due to its use of the Yucho Deposit Card, a concept we'll delve into later. As of the current writing, the deposit fee structure is as follows:
0 - 49,900 yen = 125 yen
49,901 - 100,000 yen = 345 yen
Considering a scenario where you're transferring 100,000 yen to Indonesia, the total fee, excluding the exchange rate, would amount to 1,625 yen. Not that expensive we would say.
Speed (5 ⭐)
The official Brastel website suggests a duration of 1-3 business days for the money to reach its destination. However, user experiences reveal instances of remarkably fast transfers, ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour. The duration may vary based on the destination country and chosen delivery method, as Brastel offers diverse options such as direct delivery to homes, e-wallet transfers, and agent collection points.
Easiness to register and transfer (4 ⭐)
Registering for a Brastel account is straightforward, either through the mobile app or at an offline counter. Foreign nationals typically need their residence card (zairyu kado) and my number card for registration. The app then guides users through the registration process, while counter staff offer help available at the location.
Once the registration is complete, you'll receive a Yucho Deposit Card, which will be used later for depositing funds for international transfers. To make a transfer, begin by depositing the desired amount to your Yucho Deposit Card, similar to using a regular cash card. You can easily do this at JP Post ATMs, and Brastel offers a useful video guide to assist you with the deposit process.
After confirming the deposit through the app, you can proceed to make the transfer. While the design of the app looks quite boring, it is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it accessible even without a guide. If you face any difficulties or issues, Brastel ensures additional support through their website, social media, as well as their customer support.
Admittedly, the process might not be the most straightforward since it involves an initial deposit at the ATM. However, having the app at your disposal provides the convenience of online registration and money transfer capabilities.
Reviews on the internet (3 ⭐)
Brastel Remittance has earned praise for its quick and responsive customer support, as reflected in reviews on Play Store and App Store. Users commend the service for its commitment to addressing customer inquiries promptly. Moreover, Brastel is highly praised by people due to its low fees.
However, some users have voiced complaints regarding the app's responsiveness. Specifically, concerns have been raised about the app's functionality, with reports of malfunctions, and users have noted prolonged loading times. This feedback highlights the importance of improving the app's performance based on user experiences.
Conclusion
Brastel emerges as a strong option, especially if your main considerations are fees and the speed of money transfers. However, it's worth mentioning that there is room for improvement in the Brastel app to elevate the overall user experience.
Considering its competitive advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and efficiency, Brastel could be a dependable choice for your solution to send money back home. Are you now considering making Brastel your go-to choice for transferring money?