How to send money to China from UK with the best GBP-CNY rate

Comparing providers when sending money from the United Kingdom to China is the easiest way to make a transfer at the best price.

Right now, for GBP/CNY

• Wise is our recommended company for transferring Pound Sterling to China. Sending 4,000 GBP to CNY will cost you £37.75 in fees, and you will receive 35,571.65 CNY. The delivery time is within minutes, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• If you want to secure the best rates on a GBP to China transfer, Paysend is the cheapest way to send money and will result in the most Yuan Renminbi received.

• Fastest way to send money from the United Kingdom to China is via Wise. Based on a £4,000 transfer, Wise transfer time for GBP-CNY transfers is within minutes.

We’ve compared 10 providers for sending Pound Sterling to China. This ensures you will get the best options for your transfer to China from the United Kingdom.

The exchange rate determines the price you will pay when buying Yuan Renminbi.

A better exchange rate and lower fees means more money being sent to China.

The total cost of sending money to China from the United Kingdom, is made-up of a combination of fees and exchange rates. Sending with a company that can offer a good deal on both ensures a good deal on your transfer.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: Currently, the mid-market for GBP-CNY is 8.935 CNY per Pound Sterling.

• Fees: Transfer fees may have to be paid alongside the transfer, either as a set fee or a percentage of the transfer. Paysend has a fee of 0 GBP per transfer (which is the cheapest option right now for a £4,000 transfer). Although you should search for your send amount to get live deals and lowest fees.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount of Yuan Renminbi eventually received in China.

If you are paying for services in Yuan Renminbi from the United Kingdom, this can make a huge difference.

Understanding the averages, and then waiting a day or two can help you get more CNY for the same amount of Pound Sterling.

You can also use a forward contract to lock in an agreed exchange rate between the United Kingdom and China.

Using a bank transfer to send via money transfer company is the payment method that will get you the best price when sending from the United Kingdom to China.

Here are all the ways to send money from United Kingdom to China:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are often the fastest and cheapest way to send money from the United Kingdom to China.

Using a money transfer company such as TorFx for payments from the United Kingdom to China, means you can send via a bank transfer and benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money with a debit card from the United Kingdom to China is easy with Wise.


Wise is a leader in debit card money transfers from the United Kingdom to China. They are the best option of the 10 transfer companies compared.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone.

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Ensuring you fully understand regulations in the United Kingdom and China will aid in keeping your money safe.

Our directory of worldwide financial regulators contains details on regulation for sending money between the United Kingdom and China.

Some companies offering money transfers between the United Kingdom and China have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can send or receive.

Rates and fees for different transfer amounts could change - that’s why it’s best to compare GBP-CNY rates for your specific transfer amount.

For regular transfers to China, shopping around each time can make a huge difference.

For sending large amounts of GBP to China we'd recommend using Wise. They offer a combination of rates and fees when sending from the United Kingdom to China that is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

There are different options for receiving Yuan Renminbi in China.

The most popular are direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all companies offering transfers from the United Kingdom to China will offer every method for incoming Yuan Renminbi, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

Again, a comparison of GBP to CNY providers will tell you if the method for receiving is supported.

One of the most common ways to transfer money from the United Kingdom into China is by sending directly to a bank account. Wise is the best company for bank transfers between the United Kingdom and China.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between the United Kingdom and China.

P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular because of convenience but are better for domestic transfers. For receiving international payments they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer options like multi-currency accounts.

If using a money transfer company to send Yuan Renminbis to China, you will need to verify your ID at the sign up stage.

The documents you need will vary and in some cases you might need more than one.

ID can be verified in the United Kingdom through a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license.

If the recipient needs an ID to collect money in China, it will be similar.

Large transactions between United Kingdom and China, can be subject to additional checks. This includes proof of funds for anti-money laundering purposes.

One of the reasons Wise has scored so highly for transfers to China is their easy sign up process in the United Kingdom.

Sending regular, or larger amounts of money between United Kingdom and China could mean there are tax declarations to consider.

Some transfers into Yuan Renminbi may need to be reported to tax authorities in China, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

China has many different tax obligations for residents and non-residents.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in the United Kingdom or China to discuss your personal circumstances. This ensures you are not missing any specific tax needs associated with your transfer.