Remittance to mainland China: A guide to 4 methods and fees

Key takeaways

• Hong Kong senders have four common ways to send money to mainland China: Bank telegraphic transfers, e-wallets, a unified financial and payment platform, and money changers.

• CNY is not freely convertible, and individuals and businesses face different requirements when sending money across the border. Understanding these rules before you start can help prevent delays and returned payments.

• Businesses can use Airwallex to send money to mainland China at a rate from 0.2% above the interbank rates, with approximately 93% of transfers arriving on the same day.

Looking to send money to mainland China? Sending money to mainland China involves more than choosing a provider. Foreign exchange controls apply to CNY, and individuals and businesses have different limits and documentation requirements. The real cost includes more than the transaction fee: The FX margin and intermediary bank charges can affect the amount your recipient receives. This guide explains the main requirements, compares four common ways to send money to mainland China, and shows you how to avoid hidden fees.

What are the restrictions on remittances to mainland China? 

Understanding how CNY works can help you avoid unnecessary delays. Unlike USD and euro, CNY is not a freely convertible currency. The Chinese government regulates cross-border capital flows through the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). As a result, individual and corporate payments must meet specific regulatory and documentation requirements.

What is the difference between individual and corporate transfers?

Individual and business payments follow different regulatory frameworks. Individual transfers usually involve smaller amounts and require a stated purpose, such as family expenses and tuition fees. They are also subject to annual individual quotas.

Corporate transfers require supporting commercial documents, such as contracts, invoices, and shipping documents. These documents show that the payment relates to genuine commercial activity.

This distinction matters for compliance. If a business uses a personal payment channel without the required trade documents, the payment may be flagged for review, delayed, and ultimately rejected. Choosing the right channel and preparing the relevant documents in advance can help your payment go through smoothly.

CNY and CNH: what is the difference?

When arranging a payment to mainland China, you may see two currency codes: CNY and CNH. Both refer to Renminbi, but they trade in different markets. CNY refers to onshore Renminbi used within mainland China. CNH refers to offshore Renminbi traded outside mainland China, including in Hong Kong.

The difference can affect your total cost. When you send money from Hong Kong, your local currency is converted using the CNH exchange rate, while your recipient receives CNY in mainland China. Differences between the two rates can change the final amount received. Comparing each provider’s FX rate can help you assess the full value of a payment.

What documents are required to send money to mainland China?

Requirements depend on whether you are sending money as an individual sender and business sender.

Individual payments typically require:

• The sender’s identity document

• The recipient’s name and bank account details

• A payment purpose, such as family expenses and education

Corporate payments typically require:

• Company registration documents

• The recipient company’s bank account details

• Relevant commercial documents, such as contracts, invoices, and customs declarations

• A stated payment purpose

The exact documents depend on the payment amount and the channel you choose. Confirming the requirements with your provider before you start can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Four common ways to remit to mainland China

There are currently four common methods for remittance from Hong Kong to mainland China. These include wire transfers through banks, e-wallets, money changers, and cross-border remittance platforms. Each method has different characteristics in terms of required documentation, fees, restrictions, and risks. 

Use this table to compare the main options.

Bank transfers suit people who prefer established banking channels and branch support. E-wallets are convenient for small volume personal payments. Businesses can use Airwallex for competitive FX rates and fast settlement, while individuals who prefer face-to-face service may choose a licensed money changer.

Here is a closer look at each method.

Option 1: Bank telegraphic transfer

A bank telegraphic transfer (TT) is the traditional way to make an international payment. It offers formal banking oversight, a clear transaction record, and established processes for tracing payments. The trade-off is the cost: Once you include the transfer fee, the FX markup, and possible intermediary bank charges, a bank transfer can be one of the more expensive options.

What details do you need for a bank telegraphic transfer?

Before conducting a TT, prepare:

• The receiving bank’s name and address

• The receiving bank’s SWIFT code

• The recipient’s full name and account number

• The payment purpose

SWIFT Codes are composed of 8–11 letters or numbers. It includes a 4-letter financial institution code, a 2-letter country code, a 2-digit city or location code, and a 3-digit bank branch code (if applicable).

Here is a list of SWIFT Codes for major banks for reference:

• HSBC Bank: HSBCHKHHHKH

• Bank of China (Hong Kong): BKCHHKHH

• Hang Seng Bank: HASEHKHH

• Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong): SCBLHKHH

• China Construction Bank (Asia): CCBQHKAX

• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia): UBHKHKHH

Bank transfer fees and exchange rates

The total cost of a bank payment usually has three parts:

• The standard transfer fee

• The exchange rate spread

• The intermediary bank charges

The handling fee is only one part of the cost. Banks generally add a margin to the mid-market exchange rate, which can cost more than the transfer fee itself. International payments may also pass through intermediary banks. These banks can deduct processing charges from the payment amount. Branch-initiated payments generally cost more, while online banking may offer lower fees and save you a trip to the branch.

How long does a bank remittance to mainland China take?

A bank transfer to mainland China generally takes one to five business days. The exact timing depends on the bank’s internal processing, its correspondent banking arrangements, and public holidays. Banks also apply daily cut-off times. If you submit payment instructions after the cut-off, the bank may process them on the next working day, adding to the overall delivery time.

What are the benefits of a bank telegraphic transfer?

The main benefit is the level of institutional oversight. If something goes wrong, formal banking channels provide established processes for tracing a payment and resolving issues. For businesses that need to control costs and make frequent international payments, e-wallets and unified payment platforms may offer better value.

Option 2: Remitting to mainland China with e-wallets

Supported e-wallets in Hong Kong for remittance to mainland China

E-wallets have become a popular mobile payment tool in recent years. Users can make purchases online and in physical stores with their smartphones and computers, and e-wallets offer diverse methods for topping up or adding funds, such as using credit cards, bank accounts, or even top-up services at specific merchants.

In addition to merchant transactions, e-wallets also support person-to-person (P2P) transfers, allowing users to transfer money to another person's e-wallet. Some e-wallets even have the functionality for cross-border remittances to mainland China and allow fund transfers to accounts that are not under the same name. E-wallets also offer competitive remittance fees, ranging from a few tens to sometimes exempting fees depending on the remittance amount.

Using AlipayHK as an example, you can transfer funds to mainland China via Alipay and funds can be credited in real-time. The sender must complete Intermediate account verification and above before starting a payment. Daily and annual limits depend on the verification tier. Fees, FX rates, and limits can change. Check the latest information in the official AlipayHK app before sending money. 

The process is usually simple:

1. Open the AlipayHK app

2. Select “Remittance”

3. Tap “Initiate Remittance”

4. Choose the destination and payout method

5. Enter the payment amount and recipient details

6. Review and confirm the payment

The documents required for remitting with e-wallets

The documents required for e-wallets are relatively simple. In general, the following details are required:

• An e-wallet account

• Recipient information and payment method

• Purpose of remittance

Things to note when remitting with e-wallets

Remitters should ensure that their account has sufficient funds and verify if their own and recipient's account meet the eligibility requirements before the remittance. For instance, some e-wallets may require specific authentication procedures to remit funds to personal and family accounts. Additionally, e-wallets are not suitable for large remittances as they usually have lower daily remittance limits compared to bank wire transfers.

What are the advantages of e-wallets?

E-wallets serve as convenient payment tools for daily transactions and also offer cross-border remittances. With proper authentication in place, users can easily make remittances to their personal or family accounts in mainland China anytime and anywhere using the mobile application. The funds are credited instantly, and the transaction fees are relatively affordable compared to traditional wire transfers, making them suitable for individuals who require small-scale remittance services.

Option 3: Remitting to bank accounts in mainland China with money changers

Money changers in Hong Kong have a long-established presence, with shops being prevalent and well-known. In addition to offering currency exchange services, many money changers also provide remittance services.

The documents required and the procedures for remitting with money changers

The required information and documents are similar to those needed for bank wire transfers when remitting funds to mainland China through money changers. These typically include the remitter's identification documents and address, a copy of the recipient's identification document, contact number, and account information.

The remittance process at a money changer is generally straightforward. As long as the remitter provides the required information and the remittance amount, the payment can proceed once the exchange rate is confirmed.

Money changers do not charge fees, but the exchange rate might be marked up

Many money changers do not charge any transaction fees or commissions. However, they may offer exchange rates with a certain markup. It is advisable to refer to the central parity rate to choose one with a lower premium.

Is it safe to remit with money changers?

With the involvement of third-party intermediaries, there may be certain risks associated with money changers. To ensure security, remitters are suggested to choose licensed and trustworthy money changers with a larger scale of operations. It is also advisable to retain the receipts for each transaction in case of any delays or issues regarding incorrect crediting, as the receipts will serve as evidence and facilitate the follow-up process.

What are the advantages of remitting with money changers?

Money changers offer favourable fees and exchange rates compared to banks. Some money changers even advertise that they do not charge any handling fees or commissions. Additionally, money changers often have longer operating hours, which makes it more convenient for individuals who need to exchange foreign currencies and remit outside regular banking hours. 

However, remittance through money changers might take longer (several days to one or two weeks) compared to online remittance services offered by banks, or e-wallets. It is recommended for remitters to allow sufficient time for the process.

Option 4: Airwallex, the all-in-one financial and transfer platform

In addition to the aforementioned channels, Airwallex, the all-in-one financial platform, is designed for businesses to transfer over 90 trade currencies to more than 200 countries, including mainland China. Airwallex stands out as the preferred choice for corporates with competitive advantages in terms of cost, transparency, processing time, restrictions, and management.

Fees for currency exchange with Airwallex

Airwallex offers real-time competitive exchange rates with fees as low as 0.2% above the interbank rate, without minimum transaction amount. Businesses can save on the cost for currency exchange fees. Over 90% of transactions go through local rails, instead of SWIFT.

Additionally, Airwallex is regulated by the Customs and Excise Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and holds a Money Service Operator license (MSO) (MSO License No. 16-09-01929). The company is also registered or authorised by regulatory bodies in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and others. 

The procedures and required information for cross-border remittance platform

The platform of Airwallex is user-friendly and straightforward. Businesses simply need to provide information such as the recipient's bank details, account number, currency, and remittance amount. You can easily process remittance with Airwallex by following the steps below. 

1. Click on "New transfer": Under "Who are you transferring to?", choose between "Existing recipient" or "Someone new."

   

2. Fill in the remittance details: This includes the remittance amount, currency, recipient's location, and remittance method.

   

3. Provide recipient's information: This includes the SWIFT code, bank name, and account name.

   

What are the advantages of Airwallex?

With Airwallex, businesses can benefit from competitive exchange rates and affordable fees for cross-border transfers. Around 93% of transactions are completed on the same day. Airwallex supports transfers in over 90 trade currencies to more than 200 countries. You can manage your fund flows on a single platform for maximum operational efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

Does Airwallex support transfers from mainland China to Hong Kong?

Yes. As a professional remittance company, Airwallex supports remittance from mainland China to Hong Kong, along with over 90 trade currencies for transfers to more than 200 countries. Supported currencies include USD, GBP, CNY, EUR, SGD, and more. Funds can be credited as quickly as within one business day, and customers can enjoy favourable exchange rates compared to banks. With Airwallex, you can also activate CNY Global Accounts to receive funds in the preferred currency.

Does Airwallex provide personal account services?

No. Airwallex only offers its services for corporate clients and does not support individual users.

How long does a payment to mainland China take?

The delivery time depends on the channel you choose. E-wallets generally deliver funds instantly, within a short period. Bank TTs and money changers usually take several business days.

For business payments made through Airwallex, approximately 93% arrive on the same day. Timing can still depend on banking cut-off times, public holidays, and the receiving bank’s clearing process.

Are there limits on the amount I can send to mainland China?

Yes. Individual and corporate payments are subject to different thresholds and requirements.

E-wallets usually apply lower daily and annual limits, making them more suitable for small-value payments. Bank TTs and specialist payment platforms can support higher payment volumes, though a corporate payment above a certain threshold may require additional trade documents.

The specific limits depend on your provider and verification status. Check the current requirements before starting a payment.

Sources:

Information was sourced as of September 2026 for reference purposes. For the latest details, please visit each provider’s official website.

1. https://www.safe.gov.cn

2. https://www.swift.com/standards/data-standards/bic-business-identifier-code

Disclaimer: This article was prepared in September 2026 based on voluntary online research and publicly available information. We have not personally tested every tool or provider mentioned. This article is for educational purposes only, and readers should independently evaluate each service provider based on their specific business requirements. Content is updated every six months. To request an update, please contact us at [email protected].