How to Easily Pay Your CFE Bill Online From the US

If you own property or have utility bills in Mexico, paying your CFE (Comisión Federal de Electricidad) bill can be a hassle from the US. CFE does not accept international credit cards on their website, requiring travelers to pay in person at an Oxxo convenience store. Fortunately, faster and more convenient CFE bill pay options exist for paying from the US.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through the easiest ways to pay your CFE bill online using a US bank account or credit card. With a few simple setup steps, you can securely pay your Mexico electricity bill from anywhere in the US in just minutes.

Overview of Paying CFE Bills Online

CFE, Mexico’s state-owned electric company and largest utility provider, serves over 37 million customers in Mexico. If you own or rent property in Mexico, you likely receive a monthly CFE bill for your electric service.

Traditionally, CFE bills had to be paid in person at an Oxxo store using cash. But today, technology and financial services make it possible to pay your CFE bill entirely online from the comfort of your home in the US.

Here are the main ways to pay CFE bills digitally from the US:

• CFE website – Register your CFE account and add a Mexico bank account to pay directly on the CFE website.

• Online bill pay services – Use a digital remittance service like Xoom to pay your CFE bill with your US debit/credit card.

• Mexico bank account – If you have a bank account with a major Mexican bank like BBVA Bancomer, you can pay your CFE bill through their website.

• Money transfer app – Transfer funds to a recipient in Mexico to pay your CFE bill in pesos

These options provide easy, secure ways to pay your Mexican electric bill fully online from the US. I’ll now go over the step-by-step process for each method.

Paying CFE Bills Through the CFE Website

CFE allows customers to pay bills directly through their website, but there are restrictions. The CFE website only accepts payments from Mexican bank accounts and debit/credit cards issued in Mexico.

To pay your CFE bill online from the US via their website, follow these steps:

1. Open a Mexican bank account – You need a Mexican bank account in your name, such as one from BBVA Bancomer or Santander.

2. Register your CFE account – On the CFE website, register your account using your CFE account number and address.

3. Add your Mexican bank account – Under “Mis Cuentas CFE,” add your Mexican bank account details so you can pay directly from that account.

4. Make payments – When your CFE bill is ready, log into your CFE account and select “Pagar” to make a payment from your linked Mexican bank account.

While this method involves a few setup steps, it allows you to pay your CFE bill directly without any third-party services involved.

Paying CFE Online Through Xoom Bill Pay

A simpler option for US residents is using Xoom, a digital remittance service owned by PayPal that lets you instantly pay bills in Mexico.

Here are the key steps to pay CFE online with Xoom:

1. Sign up – Create a free Xoom account using your email address and bank details.

2. Select CFE – Pick CFE from the list of supported billers. You’ll need your CFE account number.

3. Enter amount – Xoom will fetch your CFE balance due and you enter the payment amount in USD.

4. Make payment – Complete the payment using your US credit/debit card or bank account.

5. Get confirmation – You’ll receive a confirmation when CFE processes the payment within 1-2 business days.

Xoom handles the currency conversion and their exchange rates are competitive. Payments post to your CFE account quickly without any trips to Oxxo.

Paying Through a Mexico Bank Website

If you already have a Mexican bank account, paying your CFE bill through your Mexico bank’s website is straightforward.

For example, to pay through BBVA Bancomer:

1. Log into BBVA online banking – Access your Bancomer account online with your username and password.

2. Select “Payments” – Choose the “Payments” or “Pay Bills” menu.

3. Enter bill details – Select CFE as the payee, enter your CFE account number and amount due.

4. Confirm payment – Review details and confirm the payment from your Bancomer account balance.

Most major Mexican banks like Bancomer, Santander, HSBC, and Banorte allow bill pay directly from their websites. Having a Mexico bank account makes paying CFE and other Mexican bills much simpler.

Paying CFE Through Money Transfer Apps

Money transfer apps like Remitly, TransferWise, and WorldRemit can be used to pay your CFE bill from the US as well.

Here’s how it works:

• Set up an account with the app and add your US debit card or bank account.

• Enter the Mexican recipient’s details (often a family member or property manager).

• Transfer the amount owed for your CFE bill.

• The recipient in Mexico can cash out at an ATM or use the funds to pay your CFE bill for you at an Oxxo store or branch.

While convenient, this method does depend on having someone in Mexico willing to take the time to settle your CFE payment in person.

Tips for Paying CFE Bills Online

Follow these tips when paying your Mexican electric bill online:

• Check the CFE website first for your current balance due before making a payment.

• Make payments at least 1-2 days before the due date given extra processing time.

• Notify your property manager or renter when a payment is made so service isn’t disconnected.

• Save payment receipts/confirmations for your records.

• If possible, setup automatic recurring bill payments so you never miss a payment.

Paying online reduces the stress of remembering to pay each CFE bill on time. Sign up for email reminders from CFE or your bill pay service for added peace of mind.

Avoid Late Fees and Service Interruptions

One benefit of paying your CFE bill online from the US is avoiding costly late payment penalties and service interruptions.

CFE residential bills not paid within 10 calendar days of the due date are subject to a 5% late penalty fee. After 30 days without payment, CFE can suspend your electric service, requiring payment of all past due fees and a reconnect fee to restore power.

By making digital CFE payments easy from your US bank account, you can avoid scrambling to pay last minute and prevent power shutoffs at your Mexican property. Online payments post quickly, so you know your bill is settled right away.

How Much Does Paying CFE Online Cost?

The cost to pay CFE bills online depends on which method you use:

• CFE website – Free if paying directly from a Mexican bank account.

• Xoom – Typically costs $4.99 per CFE payment made with a US debit/credit card.

• Mexican bank website – Free if you have a chequing account with that bank.

• Money transfer apps – Usually charge a small transfer fee around $3-$5 plus currency conversion costs.

While not free, the convenience and ease of paying online from the US comes with a small cost that is worth it for most expats and frequent Mexico travelers.

Ensuring Payment Posting and Processing

With any form of online CFE bill payment, make sure the funds are properly credited to avoid late fees or power shutoffs.

When paying CFE bills online:

• Triple check account numbers entered to avoid payments posting to wrong accounts.

• Watch for payment confirmations from your bill pay provider and follow up if none received.

• Log into your CFE account to verify payment credits within 3 days.

• Check your CFE statement each month to ensure your account is in good standing.

• Inquire about missing or delayed payments right away to prevent penalties.

Being proactive prevents problems that could disrupt electric service and damage property at your Mexico residence.

Is Paying CFE Online Safe?

Yes, paying your CFE bill online is just as safe – if not safer – than paying in person when using legitimate providers like CFE, Xoom, and major Mexico banks. These companies use the latest encryption, cybersecurity protocols, and fraud monitoring tools.

Some important security tips:

• Only pay through official CFE, bank, and digital remittance websites, never third-party links. Use mobile apps when available.

• Create unique usernames and strong passwords on all accounts.

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