Send money to China

Whether you need to send money to your family, associates, or friends in China, there are many safe money transfer methods — each with different perks. Your eventual choice depends on what country you send money from, how quickly your recipient needs the money in China, and where your recipient lives in China. Another deciding factor is your payment method.

Keep all those things in mind as you review these top money transfer methods:

• International bank transfer: This electronic financial transaction occurs when your bank transfers money from your checking or savings account to your recipient's Chinese bank account. You must provide your recipient's international bank account number (IBAN) and SWIFT/BIC code. Since the bank transfer takes several days, it's likely not your best option if your recipient urgently needs the money. Also, you and your recipient must have active bank accounts to use this method.

• Money transfer agents: You can rely on a traditional money transfer agent to help send a remittance to China. This agent acts as a go-between to ensure the money transfer goes smoothly, safely, and often quickly. However, you may pay a high price for this third-party remittance service, and the currency exchange may also be less than ideal.

• International money orders: International money orders allow you to send money to your friends and family in China just as you would with a check. After purchasing one at a post office, bank, or retail store, you can mail the prepaid money order to your recipient, who can then trade it for Chinese Renminbi (RMB). However, using an international money order to send your remittance to China relies on the slow and unpredictable international mail service. For this reason, completing the money transfer could take a long time, and you risk the money order getting lost in the mail. Also, expedited services can be costly.

• Ria: Ria is a safe and easy online money transfer service that you can use to send money to your friends in over 165 countries around the world — including China. Ria can help you complete your money transfer to China within 15 minutes, depending on your transaction funding choice. You can also save money with our low fees and no hidden costs. Plus, our exchange rates are also great, saving you even more money. 

You can send money through Ria on our website, our user-friendly app, or in person at one of thousands of partner locations globally. Ria also gives your friend in China options to receive the money transfer. They can pick it up in cash at a safe partner location, receive a direct bank account deposit, or collect the funds in a mobile wallet app.

To learn more about how to send money to China, visit our help center: Sending money to China – Ria Help Center.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to five business days to send money to an overseas location — including China. However, how long it takes depends on several factors, such as:

1. Transaction type

2. Payment method

3. Where you’re sending money from

4. Whether Ria requires additional information for security purposes

5. When you initiate the transfer

Some currencies or transfer methods are only available during local business hours. If you set up a China remittance outside of typical business hours, on a holiday, or on the weekend, you could experience delays.

If you’re looking for the fastest way to send money to China, you may want to use a debit or credit card for your transaction. These methods may incur additional fees, so be aware of that. However, they also typically finalize the same day they’re completed — sometimes within minutes -meaning your recipient could have the money almost immediately.

And if time isn’t a concern, consider setting up a bank transfer instead. This option usually takes three to five business days and comes with fewer fees.

The cost of sending money to China depends on several key factors, such as:

1. The payment method you use

2. The payout method (that is, the way your intended recipient gets the money)

3. Transfer amount

4. Currency exchange rates

Bank remittances are usually the cheapest option, while credit and debit card transfers can come with additional fees. This is especially true with credit card payments, as some credit card companies will charge extra. Keep in mind, though, that international money transfers usually come with certain charges — regardless of how you go about it.

As an international remittance service, Ria strives to keep our rates and fees as low as possible on money transfers to China and other countries. We do that by working with financial institutions worldwide to get you the lowest possible fees and best exchange rates. At times, we also have promo codes to cut down on some of the more unavoidable fees.

The overall transfer amount includes all fees. If you want to see the cost of sending money to China, here are your options:

1. Before you complete the transfer (but after you’ve logged into your account): You can see what it costs to send money to China via the app or website. Simply log into your account and go to “Send” or “Send Money.” Then, select your destination country, how much you want to send, your payout currency, and your payment and delivery methods.

2. Before you initiate a transfer (without logging in): You can go to Ria’s website for an estimate of what it will cost.

Both options can help prevent you from being surprised by any fees or charges associated with sending money overseas.

We offer several ways to track your money transfer to China, but the easiest option is to use our Track a Transfer tool, which provides real-time updates of your transfer — no matter where you are.

Here’s how to use this free online feature:

1. After logging into your Ria account: Once logged in, choose “Track” (from the app) or “Track a transfer” (from the website). Then, input the transfer’s unique personal identification number (PIN) to see its status.

2. Without logging into your Ria account: If you don’t have a Ria account, you can still use the Track a Transfer feature. You’ll still need the unique PIN, however. This enables both the sender and recipient to see the transfer status at any point.

Two things are worth noting.

1. If you reside in Australia, you must also provide your birth date and recipient’s country (China) to track the transfer.

2. As the sender, you’ll also receive emailed updates regarding the transfer’s status and any major changes.

There are several ways to send money to China safely and efficiently. Which method is the best for you is a personal decision — it all comes down to how fast you need the China money transfer to arrive, how you want your friends and family to receive it, and how you want to pay.

Bank transfers: You can use your bank to transfer money to a bank in China through an international wire transfer. With this method, there’s no cash involved — you simply instruct your bank to send money to your recipient’s bank account. 

To complete a wire transfer through your bank, you usually must provide your recipient’s name, address, contact information, and banking information. This includes their international bank account number (IBAN) and their bank’s SWIFT/BIC code. 

There are several drawbacks to using a bank transfer to send money to China. For one, both you and your recipient need to have bank accounts at institutions that allow international transfers. 

For another, they’re typically expensive. Some banks charge as much as $50 for the convenience of an international wire transfer to the sender. And a few charge a fee to the recipient as well. In addition, your bank may limit the amount of money you can send through this method.

Money transfer agents: Traditional money transfer agents allow customers to send money abroad using cash. These agents usually have offices you can visit to fund the transfer with cash. Your recipient can then visit the transfer agent’s office closest to them and receive the money as cash. 

Of course, one of the main drawbacks of using this method for sending money is that your recipient must live near a transfer agent’s office. Another is the fact that these agents sometimes have complicated pricing structures, and fees and exchange rates can vary widely.

Money orders: Sending an international money order is similar to sending a check through the mail. You can buy a pre-paid money order certificate from your local post office or bank and then send it directly to your recipient via international mail. They can then redeem the certificate for cash.

There are several big disadvantages to this money-sending method, mainly that it’s expensive and slow. 

Online money transfer services: Online money transfer services such as Ria make it easy to send money to China and more than 165 other countries around the globe. Ria charges no sneaky hidden fees, so your China remittance will go further. 

Ria also offers great exchange rates and allows you to send money through our convenient mobile app or any of the 500,000-plus participating locations. Ria offers a quick alternative to other money-sending methods. Many transfers arrive within minutes. Send money with Ria now. 

Signing up for an account with Ria is easy. The exact steps you’ll take vary depending on your location and whether you want to use the app or website.

Create a Ria account via the app in the US or Canada:

1. Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

2. Confirm your current country. 

3. Enter your email address and choose a password.

4. Agree to Ria’s Terms and Conditions.

5. Enter your full name, date of birth and phone number, then tap “Continue.”

6. Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

7. Enter your mailing address and tap “Continue.”

8. Select and answer three security questions to protect your account.

Create a Ria account via the app everywhere else:

1. Download the Ria app and tap the “Register” button.

2. Confirm your current country.

3. Enter your phone number and verify it by entering the 6-digit code we send you.

4. Choose a password.

5. Agree to Ria’s terms and conditions.

6. Enter your full name, email address, and date of birth (we may also ask for your country of birth, nationality, occupation, and ID information).

7. Tap the “Continue” button.

8. Choose to subscribe to receive promotions, discounts, and other special offers or tap “Not now” to opt out.

9. Enter your mailing address and tap the “Continue” button.

Create an account via the website:

1. Visit riamoneytransfer.com.

2. Click “Register” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

3. Choose your country of residence.

4. Click “Get started.”

5. Enter your phone number and the security code we send to your phone.

6. Choose a password. 

7. Enter your first and last name, date of birth, and email address.

8. Select whether you’d like to receive marketing messages from Ria.

9. Enter your address.

The information you need to send money to China varies, depending on your transfer method. For example, an international money order requires the recipient's address, and a wire transfer involves providing their bank's IBAN.

With Ria, the process is simple. You need the following information:

• Your recipient's full name as it appears on a government-issued photo ID

• The name of your recipient's home city and providence

• The amount of the remittance intended for your friend in China

• Your payment information, such as bank account number, credit card number, or other essential details

• Your recipient payout information, such as bank transfer details or cash pickup location

You may also need the following items:

• Account number for mobile wallet

• Cell or home phone number

If you’re in the USA or Canada, you can set up a China money transfer from the Ria app or website. Start by signing into your existing account or create a new one if you don’t have one. If you haven’t verified your phone number or set up your online profile yet, you can do that now.

Since this is your first money transfer to China, you’ll need to add a new recipient to your account — that is, the person who will receive money in China. Adding a recipient is easy. Just provide basic information about them, such as their name, current location, and phone number. If you want to transfer money to their bank, input their bank account details as well.

Once you’ve added a recipient to your account, you can decide how much money to send them — either in your currency or theirs. At this point, you can also select the payout method. Remember, each payout method comes with its own advantages and fees.

With that done, simply choose your payment method for the China remittance. You can add a new payment method to your account on the website or the app.

Once you’ve completed that first transfer, the process becomes even easier as your recipient’s basic information is saved to your account. Ria doesn’t store your recipient’s bank account information, however, so you will need to input that again.

Some money transfers go through within minutes of setting them up. However, you might have to wait a few hours or days before your transfer is complete.

That’s where tracking your transfer comes into play. You can use the Track a Transfer feature for status updates on your China remittance. You’ll just need the PIN, which you can find in your account or the confirmation email you received after scheduling the transfer. Your recipient can also use this tool.

A standard money transfer to China doesn’t take very long to complete, though it depends on the payment and payout methods. If you’ve chosen a debit or credit card transfer, your recipient should receive money in China within minutes. A bank transfer, on the other hand, can take several business days to complete.

Certain factors may delay your transfer. For example, if you set up the transfer outside local business hours or on a holiday or weekend, it might take a little longer. In some cases, Ria will also request additional information from you for security purposes, which could cause additional delays.

Senders and recipients can use Ria’s Track a Transfer feature for real-time transfer updates. All you need is the transfer’s PIN and order number.

Senders can also use the Ria app to track the transaction — just tap the “Track” option. In addition, senders will be notified by email when their recipient has picked up or received the money — or if there’s another major status change.

Ria provides three convenient ways for you to receive money in China:

1. Bank transfer: Your China money transfer can go straight into your bank account, making it easy to withdraw or save for future use. Just keep in mind that the sender needs your bank's name, SWIFT code, account type, and account number. A representative at your bank can help you with this information if you have doubts.

2. Cash pickups: You and your sender can decide on the best-participating location near you to pick up your remittance. Remember to bring your government-issued photo ID to prove your identity and the transfer PIN.

3. Mobile wallet: Fortunately, you can receive a money transfer in China using an Alipay mobile wallet.

Your payment method options depend on your country of residence. Ria's website and mobile app offer several options for sending your money transfer to China.

On the Ria website, you can use :

• Bank transfer (US only)

• Cash (US only)

• Debit or credit card (Spain, the UK, Australia, or the US)

These funding methods may be available on your Ria mobile app:

• Bank transfer (US only)

• Cash (Singapore, Malaysia, U.S.)

• Debit or credit card (Europe, Malaysia, Canada, the US, The UK, or Australia)

• iDEAL ( Netherlands only)

• Giropay (Germany only) 

• Fintoc or Secillito (Chile) 

• FPX (Malaysia only)

• Klarna (Spain, Germany, Austria)

• Bancontact (Belgium only)

• PayID (Australia only)

For more information, you can view our entire list of payment methods.

Visit any Ria location, use our website, or log into our mobile app to send money directly to your recipient’s bank account in China. All you need is:

1. The recipient’s full legal name (as it appears on their bank account)

2. The name of the recipient’s bank 

3. The recipient’s bank account number or IBAN (international bank account number)

Ria will take care of the rest!

Hands down, sending money via electronic transfer is the safest way to send money to China.

In the old days, it was common for people to send remittances by mailing cash. Not only does this method take a long time (they call it “snail mail” for a good reason), but it’s also just not safe. The mailed money could get stolen or lost at any point during its long journey.

Instead, using an online money transfer service like Ria ensures that your money gets exactly where you intend it to go. 

In addition, Ria’s team of world-class security experts works around the clock to monitor your money transfers and keep a watchful eye out for unusual behavior. Ria’s software allows the team to spot any suspicious activity long before any harm can be done to your account.

Plus, Ria never stores your payment details on its servers. So, your credit or debit card or bank account information will never be compromised in Ria’s system.

Your safety is Ria’s number one priority when sending money to China.

You can choose one of these four primary options to safely send money to a friend, acquaintance, or loved one in China.

• International bank transfer: This method takes a few days to transfer your money to your friend in China, but you can send it directly from your checking or savings account to your friend's bank account.

• International money order: Sending an international money order may be as easy as sending a check to your friend in China. But the bogged-down international mail service may cause your remittance to get to your friend in China much later than planned. In addition, you may pay a lot in postage. 

• Third-party money transfer agent: Using a third-party money transfer agent may result in a quick money transfer to your friend in China. However, you may not get a great exchange deal because of the varying fees and exchange rates.

• Ria: Sending a remittance to your friend in China can be safe, affordable, and easy with Ria. You can use the website, app, or one of the thousands of participating locations throughout the world to send money. What's more, your friend in China has numerous payout options — some allow your friend to pick up the money in minutes. 

By choosing Ria, you can follow these simple steps to start a China money transfer with our website or app:

1. Create a free Ria account by entering your full name, birthdate, and contact information. You may need to supply other information depending on where you presently live. 

2. When you finish entering the account profile information, click the "Send" or "Send Money" button.

3. Pick "China" from the country drop-down menu.

4. Post the amount of the remittance you want to send to China. Instantly, you'll see the exchange rate, Ria's fees, and the exact number of Chinese renminbi your friends will receive.

5. Pick your payment options. Depending on your country, you can pay with a linked bank account, credit card, debit card, or other acceptable options. You can also pay in cash at a partner location in your area.

6. Select the receiving option for your friend in China. These options include in-person cash pickup at one of many convenient locations in China, a remittance directly into the recipient's checking or savings account, or a credit in an Alipay wallet. 

7. Once you've made your receiving choice for your friend in China, click "Continue."

8. Enter your recipient's full name into your Recipient List. It must be identical to the name on the person's government-issued photo ID. Then, add the name of the city and province to the list.

9. Enter the necessary details for your delivery method, such as the desired pickup location, bank account numbers, or mobile wallet details. 

10. Finally, provide your payment information: bank account details, credit card numbers, etc. 

To pay for your remittance to a friend in China in cash, go to a participating 7-Eleven store and complete the transaction using the PayNearMe guide. You need the barcode displayed on the Ria webpage after the money transfer confirmation. 

Here's how to locate the barcode on your Ria app:

• Select Fund Transfer displayed on the fund transfer page.

• Choose the transfer from the Activity Page and tap Pay. 

Print out the barcode from the Ria website and show it to the 7-11 clerk to verify your transfer. If you used the app, simply show the clerk the barcode on the app. 

Once you complete the quick and convenient money transfer process, you will get a personal identification number (PIN) that you can use to track your remittance to its destination accurately. You can also share it with your friend in China to maintain transparency throughout the entire money transfer, eliminating the need for constant phone calls back and forth.