Just a few years ago, conventional wisdom held that China was a cash society. However, that is rapidly changing with the growth of mobile payment platforms like Alipay, Baidu Wallet, and WeChat Wallet. These cashless payment methods are now accepted not only on e-commerce sites, but also an increasing number of brick-and-mortar stores, supermarkets, and restaurants. That said, using them still requires setting up a good old-fashioned domestic bank account.
Setting Up a Bank Account
Opening a bank account requires only a passport, a proof of address, and a minimal deposit, though you will need to bring a Chinese-speaking friend or colleague since most banks still do not have customer service in English.
Unless your employer issues salary payments through a specific bank, it is best to base your choice on convenience. Be sure to open your account at a branch near your home or office since you will need to return to this location to replace lost or stolen cards. If your work involves a lot of domestic travel, consider a bank with Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) nationwide such as Bank of China or Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). Domestic accounts carry a single withdrawal limit of RMB 2,500 (RMB 10,000 for the Bank of China) and a daily withdrawal limit of RMB 20,000.
Take necessary precautions to avoid losing or damaging your card, as it is a hassle to get a new one. The replacement process can take up to a week – or longer if it is a national holiday. It is impossible to withdraw money during the waiting period, even if you present your passport in person to a bank clerk. Many people maintain a second bank account or open another one rather than wait for the replacement card, then wire money from the old account to the new one.
ICBC and Bank of China have basic English interfaces for desktop online banking services, but they are extremely clunky and only compatible with Internet Explorer (seriously). By contrast, banking apps make it very easy to make transfer money between domestic accounts, wire funds to other people, and pay utilities for those who can read basic Chinese.
Making Mobile Payments
Once your bank account is set up, it can be linked to a mobile payment platform. WeChat Wallet and Baidu Wallet require only your bank account number and name, which is case-sensitive and must be written exactly as it is given on the account.
Alipay is a bit more complicated; it involves a two-step verification system where you must first upload the pages of your passport containing your photo ID and dates of entry. Then, as with Paypal, Alipay will wire a tiny amount of money to your bank account, which you must then input into a box for confirmation. The good news is, Alipay offers a beta English version of its website and app as of October 2015. For full setup instructions, search “How to Set Up Alipay as a Foreigner” on the beijingkids website.
These payment platforms can be used to make online transactions, find deals, buy movie tickets, pay utilities, and more.
Transferring Money Overseas
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) severely restricts the outward flow of renminbi, so it can be difficult for expats to get money out of the country. The limit for overseas transfers is a paltry USD 500 per day for foreigners. Though both foreign and Chinese nationals are limited to USD 50,000 per year for accounts held in RMB, Chinese nationals can wire that amount in one transaction.
If you are an expat working for a foreign company and paying all your taxes, your company should be able to apply on your behalf for a wire transfer of over USD 50,000 without issue. If you do not work for a foreign company, the simplest way to transfer a considerable sum of money overseas is to go through a trusted Chinese friend or colleague. You will need your passport, domestic bank card, the details and address of your foreign bank account, its SWIFT code, and the permanent address tied to that account.
The bank will require you to convert the renminbi to the foreign currency in-house before making the transfer. Charges vary and include a basic commission fee, plus a small percentage of the amount being transferred (typically 0.01 percent). For reference, Bank of China has a basic commission fee of RMB 80 while China Merchants Bank charges RMB 100.
Alternatively, Alipay and the Bank of Shanghai offer an international transfer service that allows Chinese nationals to wire up to RMB 350,000 per transaction or month for a reasonable commission fee. The transfer must be done from a Chinese national’s Alipay account, so again, choose someone you trust.
Another option is Western Union, which has higher transfer limits but only allows transfers in USD or EUR. In addition, someone has to receive the money transfer, which means you have to provide their name, address, city, state, country, phone number, and gender. Commission fees vary from USD 15-30 depending on the amount being wired. Western Union counters can be found in selected branches of Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Post, and more. For a list of locations, visit www.westernunion.cn/en or call 800 820 8668 (press 2 for service in English).
A Word of Caution
It can be tempting to use illegal methods to move money out of the country, but do not do it – it is simply not worth the risk. When in doubt, retain the services of a tax lawyer who is well-versed in Chinese capital control regulations. Keep in mind that you can carry the equivalent of up to USD 5,000 in cash when flying out of the country; anything between USD 5,000 and 10,000 must be declared and amounts of over USD 10,000 are prohibited.
On a lesser note, beware of fake bills. There is little incentive to turn them in, as banks will usually not replace money lost. As a result, people often try to shift fake bills onto others. For example, some taxi drivers have been known to surreptitiously replace a real RMB 100 bill with a fake one and make a big show of examining the money, only to claim the customer gave them a fake bill. Carry smaller denominations whenever possible and always be aware of your surroundings. Even ATM machines have been known to dispense fake bills, so count your money on the spot and go straight to the bank counter if you spot a fake.
Photo: Mixtures (Wikimedia Commons)
This article originally appeared on pages 36-37 of the 2016 Home and Relocation Guide. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.
