Transfer money to China

When you send money to China, the maximum amount depends on the payment and receipt method you choose. You can transfer the highest amount online to a mobile wallet: with all available online payment methods up to EUR 6,400.

The following limits apply to all other payment types:

• Bank transfer: EUR 5,500 (to a bank account) or EUR 5,000 (cash collection)
• SOFORT-Überweisung (instant transfer) EUR 5,000
• Debit and credit card: EUR 5,000 (cash collection) or EUR 4,000 (to a bank account)
• Google Pay EUR 5,000

For all transfers over EUR 1,000 an identity check is required.

Yes, you can also send money to Hong Kong with Western Union.

With Western Union, the first online transfer to a bank account or mobile wallet is free of transfer fees. For all further transactions, you can see all fees incurred in the summary with no hidden costs.

China is not part of the SEPA payment area and therefore does not have an IBAN country code. However, the People’s Republic uses Swift codes to uniquely identify its banks. You can also transfer money to a Chinese bank account with an online transfer with Western Union.

If you are transferring money to China and want to calculate the costs, start a transfer on this page or use the page “Send money”:

• Enter China as the destination, the transfer amount and the currency.
• Then select the receipt and payment method.
• You can see the estimated total costs for the transfer in euros (EUR) in the summary.

Exchange rates and relevant transfer fees³ are included in the total costs.

The duration of the transfer to China depends on the payment and receipt method selected:

Cash collection:

• Within minutes for cash payment, card payment, SOFORT-Überweisung (instant transfer) and Google Pay
• 1 to 2 business days for a bank transfer

Transfer to a bank account or a mobile wallet:

• Within minutes for a card payment, SOFORT-Überweisung (instant transfer) and Google Pay
• 1 to 2 business days for a bank transfer

How to send money to Weixin:

1. Log in or register our app or website or visit an agent location near you.
2. Select ‘China’ as the destination and enter the amount you want to send.
3. Choose ‘Cash’ as the payout option and select your payment method.
4. Enter your receiver’s details, confirm, pay for money transfer and send.
5. Remember to share the Money Transfers Control Number (MTCN) with your receiver.

You receiver in China needs to follow these steps:

1. Open the Weixin app and search for the ‘WEIHUIKUAN’ mini program.
2. Select ‘Receive global remittance’ on the landing page, then the ‘Receive with MTCN’ service.
3. Input the 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) and the currency.
4. Agree to sign the payout service with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (applicable on first money transfer only).
5. Confirm the request for receiving money (in RMB). Select the debit card, purpose of money transfer, and relationship with sender.

Use your existing Western Union login details or if you’re not an existing customer, create a new customer profile with Western Union by registering on either the Western Union website or the Western Union® Mobile app.

1. Select Send Money.
2. Select Mobile wallet as the delivery method.
3. Select a payment method.
4. Select Continue.
5. Complete the Receiver’s information:
6. Select Weixin as Wallet service provider.
7. Select 86 (CN) as Country code.
8. Enter the Wallet mobile number.
9. Select the Purpose of transaction.
10. Select Continue.
11. Enter the card number in the Payment information
12. Select Continue to review.
13. Review your transfer details and click Transfer.

After Western Union receives your payment and sends it to Weixin, you need to notify your receiver about the transfer and remind them to complete first-time verification in 微汇款 (Weihuikuan) mini program. The receiver can install the Weixin mini program, they receive the SMS from Weixin which would take them to this program.

You can send money to anyone who is a Chinese citizen with a Chinese National ID. To receive the transfer, your receiver will need to register on the mini program 微汇款 (Weihuikuan) within the next 48 hours after you sent the transfer. Western Union and Weixin will notify the receiver.

A maximum amount of up to 50,000 CNY. This is subject to the partnering bank’s region restrictions with 微汇款 (Weihuikuan) when transferring to Weixin balance.

You can receive your transfers with Weixin if you meet the following requirements:

• Register for your Weixin account on the Weixin Mobile app.
• Be a Chinese citizen with a National ID card.
• Authorise your bank card or Weixin Wallet Balance in the mini program 微汇款 (Weihuikuan).
• Sign the kinship commitment letter (if you’re receiving money for family support reasons).

You can receive money transfers from Western Union through Weixin. Follow the steps below to make sure that your profile is set up to receive money for the first time.

1. Receive a URL link through SMS initiated by Weixin or your sender after the transfer was sent.
2. Select the link within 48 hours to complete the transfer pickup.
3. Select Weixin Wallet Balance or a bank account linked to Weixin Pay as your delivery method.
4. Complete the authentication process.
5. Sign the service agreement.
6. Sign a kinship commitment letter for supportive document collection when the transfer purpose is family support.
7. Review the transfer status in the Weixin mini program 微汇款 (Weihuikuan).

If you didn’t receive a text message or notification with instructions on how to link your account, follow these steps:

1. Open your Weixin Mobile app.
2. Select the Chats
3. Search for 微汇款 (Weihuikuan).
4. Select 微汇款 (Weihuikuan) mini program in the search results.
5. Choose 我要收款 (I am a recipient)
6. Click 创建名片去收款 (Create my receiving account) to link a bank card or Weixin Wallet Balance.

Transfers can be automatically rejected for the following reasons:

• If you don’t link a valid card or your Weixin Wallet Balance as your receiving account in the 微汇款 (Weihuikuan) mini program within 48 hours of your sender sending the transfer.
• If you’ve reached your receiving limit. Receiving limits apply to all transfers, even if your money is delivered by another transfer service.
• If you’ve exceeded the monthly five transfer limit for family support or salary reasons.
• If your sender doesn’t meet the age requirements. Senders need to be 16–65 years old.
• If you have not submitted the required supporting documents for the transfer within 48 hours of receiving the notice of documents.

Yes. You will be offered an option to cancel the transfer if you are unable to provide the supporting materials required to receive the transaction.