This article explains how to send funds to Mainland China using Airwallex, including SWIFT transfers and local CNY transfers. Local CNY transfers require regulatory compliance and account activation.
SWIFT transfers to Mainland China
Airwallex supports outbound SWIFT transfers to Mainland China without specific restrictions. Create a SWIFT transfer as you would for any international transfer — see How do I create a transfer? for step-by-step instructions.
Note: Payee in China needs to declare the funding source their recipient bank for successful ettlement.
Local CNY transfers
Local CNY transfers allow you to send funds in Chinese Yuan (CNY) directly into Mainland Chinese bank accounts. These transfers require you to activate the feature per account by providing regulatory declaration information and cross-border order details.
Who can activate local CNY transfers
Local CNY transfers are available to customers who meet one of the following eligibility criteria:
- A business registered in Mainland China with a Chinese national as the legal representative or 他the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO)
- A business registered in Mainland China with a foreign legal representative or UBO who holds both a valid passport and a Chinese bank account.
- A business not registered in Mainland China that operates as an e-commerce or retail seller, has a Chinese national as legal representative or UBO, and exports goods from China.
Use cases
Three local CNY transfer use cases are supported:
Use case |
Description |
|---|---|
B2C e-commerce (default) |
Cross-border sellers repatriating overseas sales proceeds to their own account, UBO, or third-party suppliers. Goods must be exported from China. |
B2B e-commerce |
Online sellers repatriating small-ticket sales proceeds via platforms such as Alibaba to business, UBO accounts or suppliers. Goods must be exported from China. |
B2B trade (offline) |
Offline sellers repatriating sales proceeds to their own account, UBO, or suppliers. Goods must be exported from China. |
How to activate local CNY transfers
- In the left sidebar, select the Business Accounts.
- Select the CNY repatriation tab at the top of the page.
- Select the Activate button.
- Tick the accounts to activate and select the Next button.
- Select the declarant candidate with National ID.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and complete all the fields.
- Select the Submit button to submit your declaration information.
Airwallex reviews your application within 0–2 business days and notifies you by email.
Declaration information required
When activating, you must provide the following:
Information |
Notes |
|---|---|
Declarant identity documents |
Scanned copy of the declarant's ID This information is automatically extracted from your legal entity profile. |
Chinese bank account details |
Bank name and account number in Mainland China |
Contact information |
Phone and email of the declarant |
Increasing your transfer limit
After activation, your transfer limit is determined by the order information you provide. To increase your limit, submit sales order documentation:
For B2C transactions, see How can I provide order information for online B2C CNY transfers
For online B2B transactions, see How can I provide order information for online B2B CNY transfers
For offline B2B transactions, see How can I provide order information for offline B2B CNY transfers
Common issues
I do not see the CNY repatriation
If you are on old experience, you can navigate to the Transfers section on the left-hand side menu of your webapp. Then, select the Transfer methods tab where you can Activate CNY local transfers. If you see neither means you are not eligible to activate local CNY transfers. Make transfers via SWIFT or contact support via Kai.
I cannot find the CNY local transfer option
Confirm that your account has been activated for this feature: Navigate to Business Accounts → CNY repatriation tab and check that status for your accounts is Active.
My CNY transfer was returned
Returns on CNY local transfers are usually caused by a currency mismatch between the order information and the incoming funds, or by incomplete declaration information. Review your order submission and ensure all documents are accurate before resubmitting.
My transfer limit is does not increase after I submit orders
Your transfer limit is usually updated immediately after manual upload. For orders synced from connected stores, allow 2 business days after the completion of the order. If your limit has not been updated after 2 business days, contact support via Kai.
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