The complete guide to China’s CNAPS payment system

Key takeaways

• You’ll need a CNAPS code for many payments to Mainland China bank accounts. Hong Kong uses a separate banking system and does not recognise CNAPS.

• Missing CNAPS codes, outdated branch codes, or using CNAPS for Hong Kong payments are the main reasons transfers fail or stall.

• The right payment platform helps you avoid CNAPS mistakes altogether. Airwallex guides you on when a CNAPS code is required, supports local CNY payouts where permitted, and routes payments to Mainland China or Hong Kong using the correct method.

If you pay suppliers or subsidiaries in China, you may be asked for a CNAPS code. These are used only within Mainland China, where they ensure payments go to the right bank and branch. They aren’t used in Hong Kong, which has a separate financial system.

This guide explains what a CNAPS code is, when it is required, and how to avoid payment delays when sending money into Mainland China.

What is a CNAPS code?

A CNAPS code is a twelve digit bank routing code used within Mainland China to identify the bank and branch receiving a payment.

CNAPS stands for China National Advanced Payment System. Like a UK sort code or a US ABA number, a  CNAPS code acts as a domestic interbank identifier.

A CNAPS code identifies:

• The recipient bank

• The city or region

• The specific branch

• A verification digit

Because Chinese banks often share similar names across cities and provinces, the branch level detail provided by a CNAPS code is important for accurate routing of CNY payments within Mainland China.

What CNAPS is, and how it works within China’s payment system 

CNAPS is China’s national interbank payment and settlement system. It’s run by the People’s Bank of China, which acts as the central clearing authority for domestic payments.

At a high level, CNAPS enables Chinese banks to clear and settle payments between one another. It underpins the majority of domestic clearing and settlement within Mainland China.

CNAPS has two main components:

High Value Payment System (HVPS), used for large value and time sensitive payments, often processed in near real time.

Bulk Electronic Payment System (BEPS), used for lower value and batch based payments, typically settled in cycles.

Both use CNAPS codes to ensure funds are sent to the correct bank branch. Without the correct CNAPS code, payments can be delayed, rejected, or returned.

For international businesses, CNAPS becomes relevant when funds enter China’s domestic banking system and need to be cleared locally.

Why you don’t need CNAPS code to send money to Hong Kong

CNAPS codes apply only to Mainland China. They aren’t used for Hong Kong payments.

Although Hong Kong is part of China, it operates a separate financial and banking system under the “one country, two systems” framework. Hong Kong banks don’t participate in CNAPS.

Payments to Hong Kong usually use:

• SWIFT codes

• Local Hong Kong bank and branch codes embedded in account numbers

People sometimes think CNAPS applies to Hong Kong when invoices reference “China” without specifying Mainland China.

Sometimes suppliers operate across both jurisdictions. If the beneficiary bank account is in Hong Kong, a CNAPS code isn’t required and shouldn’t be used.

When you do need a CNAPS code

You’ll need a CNAPS code for:

• Domestic CNY payments within Mainland China, where funds are transferred between Chinese bank accounts

• Cross border payments into Mainland China that settle locally in CNY

• Payments to Chinese suppliers with Mainland China bank accounts, even if the payer is overseas

• Local CNY payouts where Chinese regulatory requirements apply

You don’t need a CNAPS code when:

• Paying a Hong Kong based company with a Hong Kong bank account

• Sending international payments that remain offshore and don’t enter China’s domestic clearing system

• Using payment methods that rely solely on SWIFT for settlement outside Mainland China

A good rule of thumb is to look at the beneficiary’s bank location. If the account is in a Mainland China branch, a CNAPS code is usually required.

The difference between CNAPS codes and SWIFT codes 

This might sound similar to a SWIFT code, but thet’re not quite the same. CNAPS and SWIFT serve different purposes and operate at different levels of the global payment infrastructure.

A CNAPS code:

• Is a domestic routing identifier

• Is used only within Mainland China

• Identifies a specific bank branch

• Is required for local CNY clearing

A SWIFT code:

• Is a global messaging identifier

• Is used for cross border payments worldwide

• Identifies a bank, not always a specific branch

• Enables communication between financial institutions

For some cross border payments into China, you might need both.  A SWIFT code could be used to move funds internationally, while a CNAPS code is required to complete the final domestic leg within China.

A SWIFT code alone is often insufficient for CNY payments into Mainland China, which is why payments can fail or stall without a valid CNAPS code.

How to find a CNAPS code

CNAPS appear as 中国现代化支付系统号 or 大额行号 on documents. The most reliable way to obtain one is via the payment recipient. You can do this by:

• Asking the beneficiary to provide their CNAPS code  

• Checking supplier invoices or bank details documents

• Confirming the code with the recipient’s bank if there is any uncertainty

CNAPS codes are issued at the branch level, so accuracy matters. An outdated or head office CNAPS code can cause payment delays.

Common issues and mistakes with CNAPS payments, and how to solve them

CNAPS payments fail or slow down for a small number of reasons. In most cases, the issue isn’t the transfer itself, but whether the right banking details were used for the destination. Here’s what to look out for.

Problem: Using a CNAPS code for Hong Kong payments

Solution: CNAPS codes only apply to Mainland China. If the beneficiary account is in Hong Kong, use SWIFT details instead.

Problem: Missing or incorrect CNAPS codes on RMB payments into Mainland China

Solution: CNAPS codes are required for many RMB payments and are branch-specific. Request the CNAPS code directly from the beneficiary and confirm it matches the receiving branch.

Problem: The CNAPS code doesn’t match the bank branch

Solution: Verify that the CNAPS code corresponds to the exact branch listed on the beneficiary’s bank details.

Problem: Payments delayed due to local regulatory requirements

Solution: Some local CNY payouts require additional beneficiary or transaction information. Check these requirements before sending the payment.

Problem: It’s unclear whether the account is in Mainland China or Hong Kong

Solution: Confirm the bank location before sending funds, as different payment rules apply to each.

Sending payments to Mainland China and Hong Kong is simple with Airwallex

Paying into China requires some local knowledge, especially given the differences between Mainland China and Hong Kong banking systems. Airwallex removes that complexity.

We’ve set everything up to help UK businesses pay suppliers, marketplaces, and partners across China with confidence.

You can send payments to both Mainland China and Hong Kong using the right local or international method, with clear guidance on the banking details required for each destination. You’ll see fewer errors caused by incorrect routing information and payments arriving faster.

Airwallex supports local CNY payouts to Mainland China where permitted, alongside international payments via SWIFT when appropriate. 

For more information, see our guides on the best way to pay overseas suppliers and B2B cross-border payments for UK businesses.

Quick summary

If you’re asked to use a CNAPS code: Don’t panic! The key points to remember are:

• CNAPS codes apply only to Mainland China

• They are required for many payments into domestic Chinese bank accounts

• They’re not used for Hong Kong payments

• CNAPS and SWIFT codes serve different purposes and are not interchangeable

FAQs

What is a CNAPS code used for?

A CNAPS code is used to route CNY payments to the correct bank and branch within Mainland China’s domestic banking system.

Are CNAPS codes used in Hong Kong?

No. Hong Kong has a separate banking system and does not use CNAPS codes.

Do I need a CNAPS code to pay a Hong Kong company?

No. Payments to Hong Kong companies typically use SWIFT codes and local Hong Kong bank details.

Can a payment require both a CNAPS code and a SWIFT code?

Yes. Some cross border RMB payments into Mainland China use SWIFT for international messaging and CNAPS for domestic clearing.

How do I know if a bank account is in Mainland China or Hong Kong?

Check the beneficiary’s bank address, country code, and account format. When in doubt, confirm directly with the recipient.

What happens if I use a CNAPS code for a Hong Kong payment?

The payment is likely to fail or be delayed, as Hong Kong banks do not recognise CNAPS codes.