What Is a CNAPS Code (联行号)? Format, Example & How to Find It

Your supplier in China has just sent you a 12-digit number and called it a CNAPS code or 联行号 (liánháng hào). Your bank is asking for it before they can process the RMB payment. This guide explains what the code means, how to read it, and the exact steps to find the correct one for any Chinese bank branch.

This article covers: the definition and format of a CNAPS code, a breakdown of a real example, the difference between CNAPS-HVPS and CNAPS-BEPS, how CNAPS compares to SWIFT and CIPS, and a step-by-step process for finding and verifying the code before you send.

This guide draws on the China National Advanced Payment System User Guide documentation and Statrys’ experience processing cross-border payments for over 10,000 SMEs in Hong Kong and Singapore.

A CNAPS code (China National Advanced Payment System code), also written in Chinese as 联行号 (liánháng hào), is a 12-digit number assigned by the People’s Bank of China to every bank in mainland China. It works the same way a sort code works in the UK or a routing number works in the US: it tells the payment system exactly which bank branch should receive the funds.

The code is required for all RMB (renminbi) domestic transfers within mainland China. If you are sending money to a Chinese supplier or employee, your bank will ask for the CNAPS code of the recipient's branch. Without it, the payment cannot be routed.

Every bank operating in China, including foreign banks with mainland branches, is assigned a CNAPS code. The code is branch-specific, not bank-wide, so the Bank of China in Shanghai has a different CNAPS code from the Bank of China in Shenzhen.

A CNAPS code is always 12 digits. There are no letters. The structure is fixed:

Here’s a breakdown of a CNAPS code:

CNAPS Code Example

Take the code 104290006099, which belongs to the Bank of China Shanghai Tower Branch:

CNAPS runs two separate payment systems. According to the China National Advanced Payment System User Guide, both High Value Payment System (HVPS) and Bulk Electronic Payment System (BEPS) operate under the CNAPS umbrella, with the distinction being transaction size and urgency.

CNAPS-HVPS (High Value Payment System)

HVPS handles large, time-sensitive payments between banks and corporates, including supplier settlements, trade transactions, and high-value fund transfers. Payments are processed using a real-time gross settlement (RTGS) model, meaning each transaction is settled individually in real time across China’s nationwide interbank network.

The US equivalent is Fedwire, which handles real-time gross settlement (RTGS). If speed matters for your payment, HVPS is the relevant system.

CNAPS-BEPS (Bulk Electronic Payment System)

BEPS is designed for lower-value, non-urgent payments, including payroll, recurring supplier invoices, and routine transfers. Payments are processed in batches and typically settle within the same day, depending on clearing cycles. The closest US equivalent is the Automated Clearing House (ACH).

The most reliable source is the person or business receiving the payment. Here are the steps to follow, in order of reliability.

Ask the Recipient

Your supplier or employee in China should know their bank’s CNAPS code (联行号). It appears on bank statements, bank card documentation, and is available from the bank’s mobile app or customer service. This is the fastest and most accurate method.

Check the Bank’s Official Documentation

If you need the code for your own Chinese bank account, check your bank statements, the bank's official website, or contact the branch directly.

Use an Online Cnaps Lookup Tool

If you have the bank name and city, cnaps-code.com lets you search by bank and location to find the correct 12-digit code. Search for the bank (e.g. Bank of China) and select the city where the branch is located. Cross-reference the result with the branch details your supplier provided.

Always verify the code with your recipient before initiating the transfer. A wrong CNAPS code routes the payment to the wrong branch, and reversals in the Chinese payment system take time and additional fees to resolve.

Verify the Bank Code Segment Before Sending

Cross-check the first three digits against the known codes for major Chinese banks: 102 = ICBC, 103 = Agricultural Bank of China, 104 = Bank of China, 105 = China Construction Bank. If the first three digits don’t match the bank your supplier named, the code is likely wrong.

These 3 systems are regularly confused because they all relate to bank payments involving China. They serve different purposes.

The key distinction: CNAPS is for domestic RMB payments within mainland China. Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) handles cross-border RMB payments from outside China. SWIFT is a global messaging network that sends payment instructions between banks but does not settle funds itself.

Statrys is a licensed payment service provider in Hong Kong offering a multi-currency business account built for companies registered in Hong Kong, Singapore and the British Virgin Islands (BVI), making regular cross-border payments. Since 2020, over 10,000 businesses have used Statrys, with $7B+ in transfers processed to date.

For payments to China, this means you can hold or convert RMB alongside USD, HKD, EUR, GBP, and more, send funds to Chinese bank accounts with FX rates starting from 0.1%, and track transfers in real time. If a payment needs follow-up, the support team is reachable via email, phone, WhatsApp, or WeChat, which is useful when coordinating directly with Chinese counterparts.

The account opening process is entirely online, and 96% of clients opened their accounts within 3 business days.