5 Best Ways To Send Money To China from the US (2026 Comparison)

Sending money to China is not complicated, but it does work a bit differently. China has its own foreign exchange limits and rules, which shape how transfers are priced and processed.

The good news is that with the right provider, you can still send money quickly and at a reasonable cost. The key is choosing an option that fits your situation.

This guide walks you through five reliable and cost-effective services for sending money from the USA to China, explaining how each one works, what it really costs, and when it makes sense to use it.

Before we get into the details, here is a quick look at the options that stand out for different needs.

Western Union is a US-based international money transfer service that has been around for decades and operates in over 200 countries and territories. It is best known for its wide network of in-person locations and its cash pickup options.

If you are sending money from the US to China, Western Union can be useful when you want more flexibility in how the money is received, such as cash pickup or transfers to Alipay or WeChat Pay. 

That said, there are a few things to be aware of. The service is for personal transfers only, so it is not suitable for business or invoice payments. It also works best for smaller, occasional transfers, as costs and verification steps tend to increase when you send a larger amount of money.

* In China, some cash pickup locations are actual bank branches and may require the recipient to have a local bank account. If they do not already have one, they may be able to open an account at the location to receive the cash.

Wise (formerly TransferWise) is an online money transfer service known for its transparent pricing and use of the real exchange rate, without hidden FX markups. It supports both personal and business transfers.

When sending money from the US to China, Wise works best if you are sending money to a bank account or to digital wallets like Alipay or WeChat Pay. Transfers are usually fast and competitively priced, especially when you pay from a bank account.

One thing to be aware of is that Wise does not offer cash pickup, so all transfers are received digitally.

Remitly is a US-based digital money transfer service focused on fast, personal remittances. It operates fully online and supports transfers to over 170 countries, with payout options in China including bank deposits and mobile wallets like Alipay and WeChat Pay.

For sending money from the US to China, Remitly offers a simple setup with delivery times, fees, and exchange rates shown upfront. Depending on the delivery option you choose, money is sent digitally to a bank account or mobile wallet and can arrive quickly. In some cases, the recipient may need to confirm account details or complete a quick step in their app.

While Remitly does have a separate business product, most of its features and delivery options are built around personal transfers, so it is generally a better fit for individual senders.

Xoom is a digital money transfer service owned by PayPal. It lets you send money internationally using your PayPal balance, a bank account, or a debit or credit card. Transfers are delivered digitally, either to a bank account or a mobile wallet.

If you are sending money to China from the US, Xoom supports transfers to local bank accounts through UnionPay cards, as well as to mobile wallets like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Transfers are usually fast, and you can see upfront how much money the recipient will receive before you confirm the transfer.

One thing to note is that pricing can vary on some China transfers. You may not see a separate transfer fee, as the cost is built into the exchange rate, which means the rate may not be the same every time you send money.

MoneyGram is a global money transfer service known for its large network of physical locations, alongside its online and app-based transfers. You can send money online, through the app, or in person, with delivery options in China that include cash pickup, bank deposits, and mobile wallets. 

For transfers to China from the US, MoneyGram offers a wide range of send and receive options. Card-funded transfers can arrive within minutes, while bank-funded transfers usually take longer. You will see the fees and exchange rates before you confirm, though the total cost can vary depending on how you pay and how the recipient receives the money.

After reviewing the available options  to send money to China, the next step is to compare them based on how the transfer actually works

The points below highlight what usually affects cost, timing, and delivery, and can help you decide which option fits your needs.

Transfer Limits and Verification

Transfer limits are one of the most common reasons payments get delayed or paused.

China limits foreign currency exchanges for domestic residents to $50,000 per year, and many payout methods also apply caps per transfer or over a month. Larger amounts, or transfers linked to certain purposes, may trigger extra checks or documentation requests.

For foreigners working in China, limits can also vary depending on factors such as length of stay and taxable income, which can influence how much can be received or converted.

Recipient Payout Methods

Some providers send money directly to a bank account or mobile wallet, while others allow cash pickup. 

In China, not every provider supports the same payout methods, and some options are only available for specific transfer types.

Your choice here affects how quickly the money becomes available and whether the recipient needs to visit a physical location or complete extra steps, such as in-app verification or identity checks.

Total Transfer Cost

The transfer fee is only part of the cost. 

Some providers include their charges in the exchange rate, which can reduce how much your recipient receives in Chinese yuan (RMB), even if the fee looks low.

When you compare providers, look at the final amount your recipient will receive in RMB, not just the advertised transfer fee. You can use the provider’s price calculator to see the full cost upfront. If the provider offers a rate lock, using it can help avoid changes before the transfer goes through.

Exchange Rate Differences for RMB, CNY, and CNH

You may see the currency labelled as RMB, CNY, or CNH across different services. They all refer to the Chinese yuan, but are used in different contexts.

RMB is the official name of the currency. CNY is used for transfers within Mainland China, while CNH is used for transfers processed outside China.

CNY and CNH are traded separately, so their exchange rates can differ slightly when converted from USD. When comparing options, look at how much your recipient will actually receive, not just the rate label.

Transfer Speed and Trade-Offs

“Fast” does not always mean the same thing across providers.

Some faster delivery options come with higher costs or tighter limits, depending on how the transfer is funded and delivered. Slower options are often cheaper, but they may take one or more working days, especially when banks are involved.

Delivery speed often depends on whether the transfer is bank-funded, wallet-based, or cash-based.

Processing Times and Cut-off Hours

Timing can also affect when a transfer moves.

China is around 12-15 hours ahead of the US, so transfers sent late in the US day may only start processing on the next business day in China. Transfers that rely on bank processing are generally more affected by cut-off times than mobile wallets or cash pickup options. 

Public holidays in either country, especially Chinese New Year and National Day, can also cause delays that are outside the provider’s control. This is why estimated delivery times can differ between providers, even for similar transfer amounts.

There is no single best way to send money to China. The right choice depends on what matters most to you, whether that is cash pickup, speed, clear pricing, or how easy it is for the recipient to receive the money.

For personal transfers, the providers in this guide cover the most common ways people send money to China. Once you know how the recipient prefers to receive funds, how much they can receive, and whether speed or cost matters more, choosing the right service becomes much simpler.

But if you are sending money to China for business purposes, like paying suppliers or handling regular RMB payments, personal transfer apps are not always the easiest way to manage those.

This is where a business account makes sense.

Statrys provides a multi-currency business account for companies incorporated in Hong Kong or Singapore, built for ongoing business payments, including RMB transfers to China. You can hold RMB alongside multiple currencies, including USD, HKD, and SGD, in one account, and convert funds using FX based on the mid-market rate, with margins starting from 0.1%.

Here is how it works: