Yes, you can transfer money to a Chinese bank account, but the path depends on which bank you're using and how much you're sending

Money moves to China through the same international wire system as any other country, but China has restrictions that make the process slower and more expensive than transfers to Europe or Canada. Your U.S. bank can send the funds, but they will pass through at least one intermediary bank in China before reaching the recipient's account. The transfer typically takes 3 to 7 business days, costs $15 to $50 in fees, and requires specific information about the receiving bank.

The main constraint is that China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, limits how much money can leave the country per person per year—currently around $50,000 USD equivalent. If you're sending on behalf of someone else, that person's annual limit applies, not yours. This is a regulatory ceiling, not a bank policy, so no U.S. bank can override it.

Key Takeaways

  • International wire transfers to China work through the SWIFT system, but the receiving bank must be a SWIFT participant, which most major Chinese banks are.
  • You will need the recipient's full name, account number, the receiving bank's name and SWIFT code, and the bank's routing information—ask the recipient to provide these from their bank statement or online banking.
  • Transfers take 3 to 7 business days and cost $15 to $50 depending on your bank; some banks charge an additional fee on the receiving end in China.
  • China's capital controls limit outbound transfers to approximately $50,000 USD per person per calendar year, a regulatory limit that applies regardless of which bank you use.
  • If you are sending more than $10,000 in a single transfer, your bank will file a Currency Transaction Report with the U.S. Treasury—this is routine and not a sign of a problem.

What information you need before you start

Ask the person receiving the money to provide their bank details in writing. You need: their full legal name (exactly as it appears on their account), their account number, the name of the bank in English, and the bank's SWIFT code. The SWIFT code is a unique identifier for each bank branch—it looks like eight or eleven letters and numbers, such as ICBKCNBJ for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Beijing.

If the recipient does not have this information readily available, they can find it by logging into their online banking, calling their bank's customer service, or asking for a bank statement. Many Chinese banks print the SWIFT code on statements. Do not proceed without the SWIFT code—your bank will reject the transfer if it is missing or wrong.

You will also need to know the receiving bank's address in China. Some banks ask for the full address; others only need the city. Ask your bank what format they want before you submit the transfer request.

How to send the transfer through your U.S. bank

Log into your online banking or call your bank's wire transfer department. Tell them you want to send an international wire to China. They will give you a form to fill out or walk you through the information over the phone. Enter the recipient's name, account number, and bank details exactly as the recipient provided them—any typo will delay or reject the transfer.

Your bank will ask you to confirm the amount and will show you the fee before you authorize the transfer. Once you confirm, the money leaves your account when ready, but it does not arrive in China when ready. The transfer goes from your bank to a correspondent bank in the United States, then to an intermediary bank in China, then finally to the recipient's bank. Each step takes time.

Ask your bank for a confirmation number and the SWIFT reference number. Keep both. If the transfer does not arrive within 7 business days, you will need these numbers to trace it.

Why transfers to China take longer than other countries

China's banking system requires additional verification steps that other countries do not. When a wire arrives at a Chinese bank, the bank must verify that the transfer complies with China's capital control regulations before releasing the funds. This verification can add 1 to 3 days to the timeline.

Some Chinese banks also screen incoming international transfers for sanctions compliance—checking that neither the sender nor the recipient appears on government watchlists. This is a U.S. requirement as well as a Chinese one, and it happens automatically, but it adds processing time.

If the recipient's bank is small or located outside a major city, the transfer may route through additional intermediary banks, which adds another day or two. Ask the recipient which bank they use; if it is one of the "Big Four" (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, or Agricultural Bank of China), the transfer will be faster.

Understanding the fees and exchange rates

Your U.S. bank charges an outgoing wire fee, typically $15 to $50. Some banks charge less for transfers to certain countries; ask whether China qualifies for a reduced rate. Your bank will also convert your dollars to Chinese yuan at their exchange rate, which includes a markup of 1 to 3 percent above the mid-market rate. You cannot avoid this markup—all banks add one.

The receiving bank in China may also charge a fee to receive the transfer, usually 50 to 150 yuan (roughly $7 to $20). This fee comes out of the amount the recipient receives, not out of your pocket, but the recipient should know to expect it. Some banks do not charge a receiving fee; it depends on the bank and the account type.

Before you send, ask your bank to show you the total cost in dollars and the amount the recipient will receive in yuan. This way you know exactly what is leaving your account and what will arrive in theirs.

What happens if the transfer gets stuck or rejected

A transfer can be rejected if the recipient's account number is wrong, the SWIFT code does not match the bank name, or the recipient's name does not match their account exactly. If this happens, the money returns to your account, usually within 5 to 10 business days. Your bank will notify you of the rejection and the reason.

If the transfer does not arrive and your bank cannot locate it after 7 business days, ask your bank to file a trace. Provide the confirmation number and SWIFT reference number. The trace will follow the transfer through the correspondent bank and the Chinese intermediary bank. This process can take 2 to 4 weeks.

If the money is lost in the system, your bank is responsible for recovering it or refunding you. This is rare, but it happens. Keep all documentation from your bank until the transfer is confirmed received.

Alternatives if a wire transfer is not practical

If you are sending a small amount—under $1,000—or if you want to avoid wire fees, consider a money transfer service like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Wise. These services often have lower fees for small transfers and faster delivery to certain Chinese cities. However, they may have daily or monthly limits, and their exchange rates vary.

Wise (formerly TransferWise) specializes in international transfers and often offers better exchange rates than banks, though it charges a flat fee plus a percentage. It can take 1 to 2 business days. Western Union and MoneyGram allow cash pickup at physical locations in China, which can be useful if the recipient does not have a bank account.

If you are sending money regularly, ask whether the recipient can open a bank account that accepts international transfers more easily, such as an account with a bank that has a U.S. subsidiary or partnership. Some Chinese banks have relationships with U.S. banks that streamline the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to report this transfer to the IRS or the government?

If you send more than $10,000 in a single transfer, your bank will file a Currency Transaction Report with the U.S. Treasury. This is automatic and routine—it does not mean you are under investigation. If you send multiple transfers under $10,000 to the same person within a short time, your bank may file a Suspicious Activity Report if the pattern looks unusual. Be honest with your bank about the purpose of the transfer.

What if the recipient is not a citizen or does not have a permanent address?

The recipient must have a valid bank account in their name. Your bank will not send money to an account that belongs to someone else. If the recipient is a temporary resident or student, they can still open a bank account in China with a passport and proof of address. Ask them to contact their bank about what documents are needed.

Can I send money to a WeChat Pay or Alipay account instead of a bank account?

Not directly from a U.S. bank wire. WeChat Pay and Alipay are digital wallets, not bank accounts, and they do not accept international wire transfers. However, you can send money to the recipient's bank account, and they can then transfer it to their digital wallet. Some money transfer apps like Wise allow transfers to digital wallets, but availability varies.

What if my bank says they cannot send to China?

Some smaller U.S. banks have stopped offering international wire transfers to China due to compliance costs. If your bank refuses, ask whether they can refer you to a correspondent bank that handles China transfers, or switch to a larger bank that offers the service. Most major banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank) still send to China.

How long does the money stay in the intermediary banks before reaching the recipient?

The transfer typically spends 1 to 2 days in the U.S. correspondent bank, 1 to 2 days in the Chinese intermediary bank, and 1 to 3 days in the receiving bank for final verification. The total is usually 3 to 7 business days, but can stretch to 10 days if the receiving bank is small or if additional compliance checks are needed.