How to transfer money to China from Singapore (2026 guide)

Key takeaways:

• Sending money to China via traditional SWIFT bank wires can take up to a few business days. The fees add up quickly as funds pass through intermediary banks.

• Fintech providers like Airwallex, Wise, WorldFirst and OFX offer faster transfers and clearer pricing, with several settling within a day through local Chinese payment rails.

• Airwallex gives Singapore businesses a dedicated CNY account and lets you save up to 80% on FX fees as compared to traditional banks.

Knowing how to transfer money to China from Singapore matters more than ever in 2026.

Whether you're paying suppliers or sending personal remittances, the route you choose affects how fast funds arrive, and how much you actually pay.

This guide walks through the steps to send a transfer and compares the main providers serving the Singapore-to-China corridor in 2026. It also explains the payout methods available to your recipient.

How to send money from Singapore to China: Step by step

The exact steps differ slightly between providers, but the core flow is the same across most platforms in 2026. Here's what to expect from sign-up to delivery.

1. Open and verify your account

Most providers let you sign up online in minutes using SingPass or by uploading your NRIC or passport. Business senders also need to provide their UEN, company documents and a beneficial owner declaration.

Verification can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few business days, depending on the provider and the depth of checks required.

2. Add your recipient

You'll need a few details about the person or business in China receiving the funds:

• Their full legal name, exactly as shown on their Chinese national ID or business registration

• Their bank account number, along with the receiving bank's name and branch where required

• Their phone number registered in China

• The purpose of the transfer, which China requires for compliance with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE)

For payments to Chinese businesses, you'll also need the company's Unified Social Credit Code. If the transfer routes via SWIFT, you'll need the receiving bank's SWIFT code too.

3. Choose how the recipient will receive the money

China supports multiple payout methods, and not every provider offers all of them. The main options are bank account deposit, Alipay, WeChat (Weixin) wallet, UnionPay card, and cash pickup.

Bank account deposit is the standard route for business payments. Personal remittances often settle faster through Alipay or WeChat, but those wallets have per-transaction and annual receiving caps set by the wallet provider.

4. Fund the transfer

Singapore-based providers usually accept several funding methods. PayNow is the most common; it's instant, free from most personal bank accounts, and supported by most fintech providers.

Bank transfer via FAST or GIRO is also free and same-day. Debit and credit cards are fastest, but usually carry the highest fee. You can also fund the transfer from a multi-currency account if you already hold one.

For business accounts, FAST or direct debit from a Singapore bank account is the standard.

5. Confirm the rate and send

Before you confirm, double-check three things:

• The exchange rate you're being offered against the mid-market rate

• The total fee, including any recipient bank charges

• The estimated arrival time

Most fintech providers show all three upfront. Once you confirm, the provider deducts the funds from your account and triggers the transfer.

6. Track the transfer

You can usually track a transfer in the provider's app or web dashboard. Status updates typically move from "received", to "in transit", to "paid out". You'll often receive email or push notifications at each stage.

If a transfer stalls, contact the provider's support team rather than the recipient bank. Most delays are caused by compliance checks at the sending or receiving end.

Looking for an easier way to transfer money to China? With Airwallex, you can open a dedicated CNY account that lets you receive, hold, and pay in CNY without needing a Chinese bank account.

5 payout methods in China

Choosing the right payout method affects how fast your transfer arrives and what your recipient needs to do to access the funds. Here's how the main options compare.

1. Bank account deposit

Bank deposit is the standard route for business payments and large personal transfers. Funds land directly in the recipient's Chinese bank account. This typically takes one to three business days through local payment rails, or up to five days via SWIFT.

Recipients need a personal or business account at a mainland Chinese bank.

2. Alipay

Alipay is one of China's two dominant mobile wallets. Transfers to an Alipay account often arrive in minutes. The recipient needs to be a Chinese national with a verified Alipay account linked to a mainland bank card.

Keep in mind: Wise caps Alipay transfers at 50,000 CNY per transfer.² Annual receiving limits are set by Alipay and depend on the recipient's verification level and transfer purpose.

3. WeChat (Weixin) wallet

Weixin is the payments arm of WeChat, the other major Chinese mobile wallet. The setup is similar to Alipay: instant delivery, recipient must be a Chinese citizen with a verified Weixin account, and annual receiving limits apply.

Keep in mind: Wise caps Weixin transfers at 50,000 CNY per transfer.² Western Union also offers Weixin as a delivery method, with the same 50,000 CNY per-transfer limit.³

4. UnionPay card

UnionPay is China's domestic card network. Sending to a UnionPay card delivers funds directly to the recipient's linked bank account.

Keep in mind: Wise caps UnionPay transfers at 33,000 Chinese yuan per transaction.² UnionPay is widely supported by Chinese banks and works well for personal remittances when the recipient already holds a UnionPay-enabled card.

5. Cash pickup

Cash pickup is another option for personal remittances to China, although availability depends on the provider and transfer route. Services such as Western Union currently offer cash pickup at participating locations in China.

Compare the most common China remittance services in 2026

You have more ways than ever to send money to China in 2026. Each option comes with trade-offs across cost, speed and regulatory coverage.

Here’s a quick overview:

This information is based on publicly available information accessed on 8 Oct 2026. Information reflects Airwallex's own research and has not been independently verified.

1. Airwallex

Airwallex gives you a dedicated CNY account that lets you receive, hold, and pay in CNY without needing a Chinese bank account. You can convert SGD to CNY or use your CNY balance to pay suppliers and other recipients in China.

If you also receive payments from Chinese customers, Airwallex supports local payment methods including Alipay and WeChat Pay, allowing you to receive CNY and use those funds for payments to China.

For FX, Airwallex charges 0.4% above interbank rates for major currencies, including CNY. This saves you up to 80% on FX fees as compared to traditional banks.

2. WorldFirst

WorldFirst is particularly well suited to Singapore businesses that source from China, especially those buying through 1688.com.

Its standout feature is World Pay, an official payment solution from 1688.com and WorldFirst that lets international buyers pay 1688 suppliers directly from a World Account without opening a Chinese bank account.

WorldFirst also supports direct payments to Chinese business and personal bank accounts, making it useful for businesses that regularly pay suppliers or other partners in China.

Features:

• World Pay for direct payments to 1688.com suppliers

• Pay 1688 orders using a CNH balance in your World Account

• No Chinese bank account required for 1688 payments

• Payments to Chinese bank accounts in CNY, CNH or USD, subject to supported routes and requirements

• Same-day payments to many Chinese banks, subject to cut-off times and beneficiary bank

• Hold and convert currencies including SGD, CNH and USD

• Instant transfers between WorldFirst accounts in the same currency

Information in this section is based on WorldFirst’s official website as of 8 Oct 2026.

3. Corpay

Corpay is particularly suited to businesses that want more control over foreign-exchange exposure alongside their international payments.

Its cross-border platform combines payment execution with tools such as forward contracts, limit orders, multi-currency balances and payment tracking, making it a stronger fit for businesses with recurring international payments or more involved FX requirements.

It can also connect international payments with accounts payable and finance workflows, including bulk payment files, ERP integrations and automated reconciliation.

This makes Corpay more relevant to businesses managing regular supplier or vendor payments than someone looking for a simple one-off transfer to China.

Features:

• Payments to 200+ countries in 145+ currencies

• Forward contracts and other FX risk-management tools

• Limit orders for managing exchange rates

• Multi-currency balances through FXBalance

• Bulk payment and file-upload capabilities

• ERP and accounting system integrations

• Payment tracking and automated reconciliation tools

Information in this section is based on Corpay’s official website as of 8 Oct 2026.

4. Convera

Convera is particularly suited to businesses that need international payments alongside more advanced foreign-exchange management.

Its platform is built around commercial payments, multi-currency balances and FX risk management, making it a stronger fit for businesses with recurring cross-border payments or exposure to currency movements than for someone making a simple one-off transfer to China.

It also caters to businesses with more complex payment operations, including bulk payments, approval workflows and integrations with ERP, accounting and treasury systems.

Features:

• Single and batch payments in 140+ currencies to 200+ countries and territories

• Multi-currency holding balances for international business payments

• Currency risk-management tools including forward contracts

• Bulk payment and payment workflow capabilities

• ERP, accounting and treasury system integrations

• Local payment rails and SWIFT payment options

• Real-time and same-day payment options on supported routes

For more information, read our Convera (Western Union Business Account) review.

Information in this section is based on Convera’s official website as of 8 Oct 2026.

5. Wise Business

Wise Business is particularly well suited to SMEs that make regular international payments and want to see the exchange rate and transfer cost before sending.

Its China support is also broader than a standard bank transfer, with different payout routes available depending on whether the recipient is an individual or business. For business-to-business payments, Wise supports CNY transfers to eligible Mainland China business bank accounts.

Wise is a good fit for businesses that value transparent, self-service international payments rather than treasury or FX-hedging tools.

Features:

• CNY transfers to eligible business bank accounts in Mainland China

• China payout options including Alipay and UnionPay, with availability depending on sender and recipient type

• Mid-market exchange rate with fees shown before you send

• Multi-currency account for holding and converting funds

• Batch payments to multiple recipients

• Volume discounts on higher monthly transfer volumes

• Wise Business account and payment management through web and mobile

Information in this section is based on Wise’s official website as of 8 Oct 2026.

6. Aspire

Aspire is a Singapore-based business finance platform aimed at SMEs that want international payments alongside day-to-day finance tools.

Its main appeal is that international transfers sit within a broader business account, with multi-currency accounts, expense management, accounts payable and corporate cards available from the same platform.

For transfers to China, the route depends on the account and currency used. Aspire supports CNH through SWIFT from its USD account, while international FX transfers from an SGD account are facilitated through a partner.

Features:

• Multi-currency business accounts

• CNH transfers to China through supported SWIFT routes

• International FX transfers from SGD through a partner

• Local and SWIFT transfer options, depending on currency and destination

• Accounts payable and business expense management tools

• Corporate cards and spending controls

• Integrations with accounting and business software

Information in this section is based on Aspire’s official website as of 8 Oct 2026.

7. OFX

OFX is particularly well suited to businesses that make regular international payments and want dedicated FX and payment support.

Its Singapore platform combines international transfers with a Global Business Account, allowing businesses to hold multiple currencies, pay overseas suppliers and manage payments from a single account.

For China transfers specifically, OFX supports SGD-to-CNY payments and provides a dedicated China transfer route for Singapore customers.

Features:

• SGD-to-CNY transfers to China

• Payments in 30+ currencies to 180+ countries

• Global Business Account for holding and managing multiple currencies

• Batch payments for multiple suppliers or recipients

• Real-time payment tracking and recipient notifications

• Xero and QuickBooks Online integrations

• 24/7 specialist customer support

Information in this section is based on OFX’s official website as of 8 Oct 2026.

8. Banks (DBS, OCBC, UOB)

Singapore banks such as DBS, OCBC and UOB are a practical option for businesses that already hold their operating accounts with a local bank and want international payments managed alongside their existing banking, cash management and trade finance arrangements.

For China payments, the banks also have established local networks and dedicated CNY capabilities.

OCBC, for example, is a direct participant in China's Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), while DBS supports CNH wallets within its Business Multi-Currency Account.

This can make a bank a particularly relevant choice for businesses that regularly trade with Chinese suppliers or maintain ongoing CNY exposure.

Features:

• Outward telegraphic transfers to China and other international destinations

• CNH and other foreign-currency payment capabilities

• Multi-currency business accounts for holding and managing foreign currencies

• Online business banking through platforms such as DBS IDEAL, OCBC Velocity and UOB Infinity

• Payment tracking through SWIFT gpi on supported services

• Bulk payment capabilities for eligible business accounts and banking platforms

• Access to broader business banking, cash management and trade finance services

Information in this section is based on various banks’ official websites as of 8 Oct 2026.

Why Singapore businesses choose Airwallex for transfers to China

If you want to transfer money from Singapore to China, Airwallex gives you a straightforward way to convert SGD to CNY, hold CNY and pay Chinese suppliers from one business account.

You can also receive and hold CNY, making it easier to manage money coming into and going out of China without unnecessary currency conversions. Here’s what you get with Airwallex:

Save up to 80% on FX fees

Conversions from SGD to CNY are priced at a highly competitive rate of 0.4% above interbank. This lets you save up to 80% on FX fees as compared to traditional banks.

Save on transfer fees

94% of Airwallex’s transfers go through local rails with $0 transfer fees. 93% of transfers settle the same day, with 45% arriving instantly.

Use your CNY Account to save money on conversions

If you also receive CNY from Chinese customers, you can hold those funds in your CNY balance and pay suppliers directly. This means you save on two rounds of conversions (and two rounds of FX fees).

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the cheapest way to transfer money to China from Singapore?

For most business transfers, fintech providers like Airwallex are cheaper than bank wires. For example, Airwallex charges 0.4% to 0.6% above the interbank rate for FX, saving you up to 80% on FX fees as compared to traditional banks. 94% of our transfers go through local rails with $0 transfer fees.

How long does it take to transfer money to China from Singapore?

It depends on the provider and payout method. Bank wires via DBS, OCBC or UOB typically take 2-5 business days because they route through SWIFT. Fintech providers using local Chinese payment rails are much faster. Airwallex settles 93% of its transfers on the same day, with 45% arriving instantly.

Can I transfer money to China without a Chinese bank account?

The sender doesn't need a Chinese bank account, but the recipient typically does, unless they're receiving funds into Alipay, Weixin or a UnionPay card. Most providers cover these mobile wallet payout methods, subject to per-transfer caps. If you're running a business and need to pay Chinese suppliers in CNY without using SWIFT, a CNY business account from a fintech provider gives you local CNY bank details without needing to set up in China.

How much money can I send to China from Singapore?

Most providers don't impose a Singapore-side cap on outgoing transfers, but China sets receiving limits on the recipient side. Under State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) rules, individuals in China have an annual foreign currency conversion quota of US$50,000 per person. Larger transfers may require additional documentation from the recipient explaining the purpose of the funds. Business-to-business transfers are not subject to the individual quota but must follow SAFE compliance procedures.

Is it safe to transfer money to China from Singapore using a fintech provider?

Yes, provided the fintech is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Wise,⁸ OFX,¹¹ Convera⁷ and Airwallex all hold MAS Major Payment Institution licences. Always check that any provider you use is on the MAS Financial Institutions Directory before sending funds.

Can I still send cash remittances to China from Singapore?

Yes. Cash remittances to China are still available from Singapore through providers that offer cash pickup, although availability depends on the provider, transfer method and receiving location. For example, Western Union currently supports cash pickup in China, while MoneyGram also offers cash pickup as a receiving option.

Sources:

1. https://www.mas.gov.sg/-/media/mas-media-library/publications/consultations/pd/2024/mas-response-to-consult-paper-on-psn11.pdf

2.  https://wise.com/sg/send-money/send-money-to-singapore-from-china

3.  https://www.westernunion.com/sg/en/send-money-to-china.html

4.  https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/product/pay/1688-world-pay/

5.  https://www.worldfirst.com/sg/

6.  https://www.corpay.com/

7.  https://convera.com/en-sg/

8.  https://wise.com/sg/pricing/business

9.  https://aspireapp.com/pricing

10.  https://www.ofx.com/en-sg/faqs/what-is-the-minimum-transfer-amount/

11.  https://www.ofx.com/en-us/about-us/

12.  https://www.dbs.com.sg/documents/276102/282855/pricing-guide.pdf