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Send money from United Kingdom to China(GBP → CNY)
GBP
CNY|Updated recentlyMid-market 9.1347Cheapest todayof 6 providers
Panda Remit
Rate 9.0990 · Fee £5.99
You send
£500
Recipient gets
¥4,495
Affiliate link · No extra cost to you
Quick answer: The cheapest way to send money from United Kingdom to China in May 2026 is Panda Remit, which delivers 4,495.01 CNY on a 500 GBP transfer with a fee of £5.99.
Last reviewed: by Awais Imran, Reviews Editor
↓
Rates are low right now
22th percentile
Based on 55 days of data (2026-03-28 to 2026-05-21)
Today's best
¥890
TapTap Send
55-day avg
1 GBP = 9.08 CNY
Best rate
9.15
2026-03-28 · ACE Money Transfer
Worst rate
8.83
2026-05-18 · TapTap Send
What is the cheapest way to send GBP to CNY?
Sending £500 from United Kingdom to China. Sorted by best value — most money received.
Source: SendMoneyCompare · Data updated every 6 hours from live provider APIs
#ProviderRateFeeRecipient gets
Rate 9.0990·Fee £5.99·0.39% markup
Rate 8.8999·Fee Free·2.57% markup
↓ 0.3% over 8dAvg: 8.88 CNY (+0.3% vs avg)Range: 8.83–8.93
2
Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)2.57% markup
↓ 0.3% over 8dAvg: 8.88 CNY (+0.3% vs avg)Range: 8.83–8.93
8.8999
Free
¥4,449.95
Rate 9.1328·Fee £46.37·0.02% markup
Rate 9.0415·Fee £50.51·1.02% markup
Rate 8.9766·Fee £87.23·1.73% markup
Rate 9.0616·Fee Free·0.80% markup
Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our rankings, which are based on real transfer data. Editorial policy
Compare the cheapest ways to send money from United Kingdom to China. We compare fees, exchange rates, and transfer speeds from 15+ providers so you get the most CNY for your £.
Whether you're supporting family in China or paying for business services, finding the cheapest way to send money from United Kingdom matters. Exchange rate markups and transfer fees add up — especially on regular transfers. Our real-time comparison helps you cut costs by showing the exact amount your recipient gets from each provider.
Which provider offers the best GBP to CNY rate?
Panda Remit
4.0Exchange rate
9.0990
Fee
£5.99
Recipient gets
¥4,495.01
Speed
Minutes
Which provider is best for each transfer type?
Different providers excel at different things. Here's who's best for each use case on the United Kingdom to China route.
Cheapest transfer
Panda Remit
Delivers the most CNY for your money
Fastest transfer
Panda Remit
Delivers in Minutes
Cash pickup
Remitly
Widest cash pickup network
Bank transfer
Panda Remit
Best rate for bank deposit to China
How to send money to China
Sending money to China is straightforward with the right provider. Here's how it works in 3 simple steps.
Step 1
Enter your transfer details
Choose how much GBP you want to send, compare providers above, and pick the one offering the best CNY amount for your transfer to China.
Step 2
Add your recipient
Enter your recipient's details in China — you'll need their bank account number. Most providers verify details instantly.
Step 3
Send & track your transfer
Pay using bank transfer, debit card, or credit card. Track your money in real-time until it arrives — bank deposit typically takes 1–3 business days.
What you need to send money to China
Make sure you have these details from your recipient before starting your transfer.
Full name (Chinese characters)
Recipient's name in Chinese characters as registered with their bank
Bank account number
16–19 digit Chinese bank account or UnionPay card number
Bank name & branch
Full bank name and province/city of the branch
CNAPS code
OptionalChina National Advanced Payment System code (12 digits) identifying the specific branch
Note: China does not use IBAN. You need the recipient's Chinese name (in characters), bank account or card number, and the bank branch location. Some providers also accept Alipay or WeChat Pay for smaller amounts.
Transfer examples: GBP to CNY
See how much your recipient would get for common transfer amounts.
Send £500
ProviderFeeReceives
Panda Remit
9.10 · Minutes
TapTap Send
8.90 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Wise
9.13 · Instant to 2 days
TorFX
9.04 · 1-3 business days
Remitly
8.98 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Regency FX
9.06 · Same day to 2 business days
ProviderFeeRateReceivesSpeed
Panda Remit£5.999.10¥4,495Minutes
TapTap SendFree8.90¥4,450Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Wise£46.379.13¥4,143Instant to 2 days
TorFX£50.519.04¥4,0641-3 business days
Remitly£87.238.98¥3,705Minutes to 3-5 days
Regency FXFree9.06¥4,531Same day to 2 business days
Send £1,000
ProviderFeeReceives
Panda Remit
9.10 · Minutes
TapTap Send
8.90 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Wise
9.13 · Instant to 2 days
TorFX
9.04 · 1-3 business days
Remitly
8.98 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Regency FX
9.06 · Same day to 2 business days
ProviderFeeRateReceivesSpeed
Panda Remit£5.999.10¥9,045Minutes
TapTap SendFree8.90¥8,900Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Wise£46.379.13¥8,709Instant to 2 days
TorFX£50.519.04¥8,5851-3 business days
Remitly£87.238.98¥8,194Minutes to 3-5 days
Regency FXFree9.06¥9,062Same day to 2 business days
Send £5,000
ProviderFeeReceives
Panda Remit
9.10 · Minutes
Wise
9.13 · Instant to 2 days
TorFX
9.04 · 1-3 business days
TapTap Send
8.90 · Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Remitly
8.98 · Minutes to 3-5 days
Regency FX
9.06 · Same day to 2 business days
ProviderFeeRateReceivesSpeed
Panda Remit£5.999.10¥45,441Minutes
Wise£46.379.13¥45,241Instant to 2 days
TorFX£50.519.04¥44,7511-3 business days
TapTap SendFree8.90¥44,499Under 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
Remitly£87.238.98¥44,100Minutes to 3-5 days
Regency FXFree9.06¥45,308Same day to 2 business days
How much does it cost to send money from United Kingdom to China?
Transfer fees from United Kingdom to China vary by provider. Specialist services charge £0–10 per transfer, while banks charge £25–50 plus a 2–5% exchange rate markup. The exchange rate markup is usually the bigger cost — always compare the total CNY your recipient receives, not just the advertised fee.
Understanding the total cost
The true cost of a money transfer has two components:
Transfer fee
The upfront charge — typically £0–£10 with specialist providers.
Exchange rate markup
The hidden cost — the difference between the provider's rate and the mid-market rate (9.1347).
Ways to send money to China
Choose how you want to pay for your transfer. Each payment method has different costs and speeds.
Alipay and WeChat Pay are increasingly popular for receiving international transfers in China — they're faster than bank deposits and don't require branch details. For bank transfers, ensure the recipient's name is in Chinese characters exactly as registered.
Bank Transfer
Low costSpeed: 1–3 business days
Usually the cheapest option — lowest fees and no card processing charges
Debit Card
Medium costSpeed: Minutes to hours
Fast and convenient — small card processing fee applies
Google Pay
Medium costSpeed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Apple Pay
Medium costSpeed: Minutes to hours
Convenient mobile payment — linked card fees apply
Credit Card
Higher costSpeed: Minutes to hours
Fastest option but highest fees — card issuer may charge cash advance fee
How can my recipient receive money in China?
Your recipient in China can receive money through these delivery methods. The best option depends on their location and preferences.
Bank Deposit
1–3 business days
Transfer to major Chinese banks. Requires accurate Chinese-character recipient name matching bank records.
WiseRemitlyWorldRemitWestern Union
Alipay
Minutes
Transfer directly to recipient's Alipay account — China's largest digital payment platform with 1B+ users.
RemitlyWorldRemit
WeChat Pay
Minutes
Send to WeChat Pay wallet — deeply integrated into daily life in China.
WorldRemit
UnionPay Card
Hours
Deposit directly to any UnionPay-linked bank card.
Remitly
What are the transfer limits and regulations for China?
Important rules and requirements to know before sending money to China.
Regulatory body
State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) / People's Bank of China (PBOC)
Inbound transfer limits
Individuals can receive up to $50,000 USD equivalent per year without additional documentation under SAFE rules
Documentation you may need
- Sender's government-issued ID
- Recipient may need to provide their Chinese ID number to their bank for amounts over $500
- Purpose of transfer may be required (family support, tuition, etc.)
Important things to know
- China has strict foreign exchange controls managed by SAFE. Individual recipients have an annual limit of $50,000 equivalent for personal foreign exchange.
- Recipient's Chinese name must match their bank records exactly (in Chinese characters) — mismatches will cause the transfer to be rejected.
- Some providers cannot send to business accounts in China — only personal accounts.
- CNY exchange rates can be affected by PBOC policy — rates may not float freely.
How long does it take to send money to China?
Most transfers from United Kingdom to China arrive within 1–2 business days with specialist providers. Bank wires take 3–5 business days. Some providers offer instant or same-day delivery to China for a small premium.
FastExpress delivery
- Panda RemitMinutes
- TapTap SendUnder 3 minutes (95% of transfers)
- WiseInstant to 2 days
- RemitlyMinutes to 3-5 days
Standard delivery
- TorFX1-3 business days
- Regency FXSame day to 2 business days
Popular banks in China
These are the most commonly used banks for receiving international transfers in China.
BankSWIFT/BICNotes
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
ICBKCNBJXXX
China Construction Bank (CCB)
PCBCCNBJXXX
Agricultural Bank of China (ABC)
ABOCCNBJXXX
Bank of China (BOC)
BKCHCNBJXXX
China Merchants Bank (CMB)
CMBCCNBSXXX
Bank of Communications
COMMCNSHXXX
GBP to CNY Exchange Rate History
Daily best exchange rates from top providers over the last 55 days. Rates shown are for sending $100.
| Date | __mid Market__ | ACE Money Transfer | TapTap Send | Pandaremit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trend | ||||
| May 21 | 9.0993✓ | — | 8.9000 | 9.0993✓ |
| May 20 | 9.0918✓ | — | 8.9000 | 9.0918✓ |
| May 19 | 9.0919✓ | — | 8.9000 | 9.0919✓ |
| May 18 | 8.8300✓ | — | 8.8300✓ | — |
| May 17 | 8.8500✓ | — | 8.8500✓ | — |
| May 16 | 8.9841✓ | 8.9841✓ | 8.8500 | — |
| May 15 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | 8.8500 | — |
| May 14 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | 8.9300 | — |
| May 13 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 12 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 11 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 10 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 9 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 8 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 7 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 6 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 5 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 4 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 3 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 2 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| May 1 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 30 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 29 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 28 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 27 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 26 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 25 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 24 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 23 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 22 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 21 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 20 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 19 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 18 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 17 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 16 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 15 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 14 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 13 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 12 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 11 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 10 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 9 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 8 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 7 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 6 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 5 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 4 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 3 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 2 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Apr 1 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Mar 31 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Mar 30 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Mar 29 | 9.1018✓ | 9.1018✓ | — | — |
| Mar 28 | 9.1466✓ | 9.1466✓ | — | — |
Common questions about sending money from United Kingdom to China
What is the cheapest way to send money from United Kingdom to China?
The cheapest option changes daily based on exchange rates. Use our comparison table above to see today's rates from every provider. Specialist services like Wise, Remitly, and OFX consistently offer better value than banks.
How long does it take to send money from United Kingdom to China?
Most specialist providers deliver to China within 1–2 business days. Some offer instant delivery for certain payment methods. Bank wires typically take 3–5 business days.
How much does it cost to send £500 from United Kingdom to China?
Costs depend on the provider's fee and exchange rate markup. Compare all providers in our table above to see exactly how much CNY your recipient would receive from a £500 transfer today.
Can I send money from United Kingdom to China online?
Yes, all the providers we compare support online transfers from United Kingdom to China. Most also offer mobile apps. You can typically pay by bank transfer, debit card, or credit card.
Is it better to use a bank or a money transfer service to send money to China?
Money transfer services are almost always cheaper. Banks typically charge £25–50 per wire plus a 2–5% exchange rate markup. Specialist providers charge £0–10 with markups under 1%, saving you significantly on every transfer to China.
Everything about sending money to China
Recipient requirements, delivery methods, regulations, popular banks, and more.
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Other routes to China
Popular corridors
Top provider reviews
Useful guides
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