This article explains the requirements for people sending money to China and for recipients in China who want to receive international money transfers.
Sending money to someone in China
Please check that recipients in China are Chinese citizens and that they hold a valid national identity document before you begin a money transfer.
Requirements for recipients receiving international transfers
Recipients in China must complete the registration and verification processes as required by their account provider in order to receive international transfers.
Please see below the requirements for Alipay and WeChat accounts and China UnionPay Cards.
Requirements for sending money to an Alipay account
You'll need the mobile number or email address associated with your recipient's Alipay account to send them money.
Please make sure that your recipient:
- used their Chinese national ID to register their Alipay account (this is compulsory)
- agreed to use the Quick Collect Service by searching "闪速收款" mini-program in the Alipay app or by following the instruction link in the SMS
- selected a default collection method (Alipay account balance, or a linked bank card)
Please note that the reason for transfer is restricted to: payments to families, salary, payment for goods or payment for services.
Requirements for sending money to a WeChat account
You'll need the mobile number associated with your recipient's WeChat account to send them money.
Please make sure that your recipient:
- used their Chinese national ID or Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong to register their Wechat account (this is compulsory)
- agreed to use the WeRemit remittance service by searching for "微汇款" mini-program or by following the instruction link in the SMS
- selected a default collection method (Wechat balance, or a linked bank card)
Please note that the reason for transfer is restricted to: family support (i.e. payments to a spouse, parents, children, siblings, grandparents or grandchildren), or paying yourself (salary/payroll)
Requirements for sending money to a China UnionPay Card (bank deposit)
You will need the mobile number associated with the recipient's bank account to send money to their China UnionPay Card.
We recommend using a type one debit card. Issuing banks impose additional limits for type two debit cards. The limits for type two debit cards are RMB 10,000 a day and RMB 200,000 a year.
Your recipient will need to complete the Online First Time Registration process and verify their information on the ChinaUMS website in order to receive an international money transfer.
Sending money to yourself
If you're sending money to yourself, please make sure you've verified your account and that it is active so that you can receive an international money transfer.