SWIFT codes in China
CN · CNY
34 banks in China, from BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, CO. LTD. (COMMCN3X) onward; every code carries CN as its country part.
Banks
34
SWIFT codes
4
Branches
15
Currency
CNY
Banks and SWIFT codes in China
BBANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, CO. LTD.
| SWIFT/BIC | City |
|---|---|
COMMCN3XXXX | SHANGHAI |
COMMCNSHLYU | LIAOYUAN |
COMMCNSHSDE | FOSHAN |
COMMCN3XOBU | SHANGHAI |
COMMCNSHBXI | BENXI |
CCHINA EVERBRIGHT BANK
| SWIFT/BIC | City |
|---|---|
EVERCNBJKM1 | KUNMING |
EVERCNBJLS1 | LHASA |
EVERCNBJLZ1 | LANZHOU |
EVERCNBJNB1 | NINGBO |
EVERCNBJNC1 | NANCHANG |
CCHINA MINSHENG BANK
| SWIFT/BIC | City |
|---|---|
MSBCCNBJ201 | TAIYUAN |
MSBCCNBJ202 | SHIJIAZHUANG |
MSBCCNBJ0XY | XINYANG |
MSBCCNBJ0J3 | CHONGQING |
MSBCCNBJ0LS | LHASA |
China SWIFT code questions
What does a China SWIFT code look like?
COMMCN3XXXX (BANK OF COMMUNICATIONS, CO. LTD.): bank COMM, country CN, location 3X, branch XXX.
What are the SWIFT codes for major Chinese banks?
Key Chinese bank SWIFT codes include: ICBC — ICBKCNBJ, Bank of China — BKCHCNBJ, China Construction Bank — PCBCCNBJ, Agricultural Bank of China — ABOCCNBJ, Bank of Communications — COMMCNSH, China Merchants Bank — CMBCCNBS, and CITIC Bank — CIBKCNBJ. Branch-level codes are appended as the 9th–11th characters.
What are China's capital controls and how do they affect SWIFT transfers?
China maintains strict capital controls under the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE). Individuals are limited to converting USD 50,000 equivalent of foreign currency per calendar year. Inbound foreign transfers above this threshold, or for business purposes, require documentation and SAFE registration. SWIFT transfers are permitted but the recipient must provide a declaration of purpose, and large amounts may be held pending compliance review.
What is CNAPS and how does it relate to SWIFT?
CNAPS (China National Advanced Payment System) is China's domestic interbank payment system, which handles RMB/CNY transfers between Chinese banks. It is entirely separate from SWIFT. CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) is China's alternative international settlement platform for CNY-denominated cross-border payments. SWIFT handles transfers in foreign currencies into China, after which CNAPS routes funds to the final account.
Should I send money to China in USD or CNY?
For most inbound transfers, sending in USD is common and accepted by all major Chinese banks. The recipient's bank converts USD to CNY at the official exchange rate. Alternatively, if the sender can convert to CNY offshore, CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) can sometimes settle faster than multi-hop SWIFT routing. Discuss options with your transfer provider.
How long does a SWIFT transfer to China take?
SWIFT transfers to China typically take one to three business days for major currency corridors. Transfers may take longer if they are flagged for compliance review under SAFE regulations, particularly for amounts approaching or exceeding the USD 50,000 individual conversion limit. Providing a clear, accurate payment purpose in the transfer reference can reduce delays.
Are there SWIFT codes for specific cities in China?
Yes. Chinese bank SWIFT codes include a two-character location code representing the city. For example, ICBKCNBJXXX routes to Beijing (BJ), while ICBKCNSHXXX routes to Shanghai (SH). For most inbound personal transfers, the head office SWIFT code (often with XXX suffix) is sufficient, as banks route funds internally to the recipient's branch and account.
Can I receive money in a foreign currency account in China?
Yes. Chinese banks offer foreign currency accounts (外汇账户) that can hold USD, EUR, GBP, and other major currencies. However, SAFE regulations mean that converting balances above the individual annual quota requires documentation. For regular business receipts in foreign currency, companies must register with SAFE and follow specific reporting procedures before funds can be freely converted or repatriated.
How SWIFT works in China
The People's Bank of China (PBOC) regulates all international payments, and China maintains strict capital controls on cross-border money flows. SWIFT is used for international wire transfers to and from China, while domestic transfers use the China National Advanced Payment System (CNAPS) and CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System). Foreign currency transfers into China are subject to State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) reporting requirements.
- China's four largest state-owned banks — Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Bank of China (BOC), China Construction Bank (CCB), and Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) — dominate international SWIFT traffic. Bank of China, in particular, has the most extensive international correspondent network and is commonly used for cross-border transactions.
- Inbound foreign currency transfers to China must be accompanied by a declaration of purpose. SAFE regulations cap individual annual conversions of foreign currency to CNY at the equivalent of USD 50,000. Transfers above this amount, or those for business purposes, require documentation and may be reviewed by the receiving bank's compliance team.
- China also operates CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) as an alternative to SWIFT for CNY-denominated international transfers. Some banks and corridors can settle CNY payments via CIPS faster than through the traditional SWIFT network. For CNY remittances, ask your provider whether they settle via SWIFT or CIPS, as the cost and speed can differ.
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