Who sends money from Hong Kong to China
- Mainlanders working in Hong Kong sending salary home
- Mainland residents moving funds from Hong Kong accounts
- Hong Kong families supporting mainland relatives
Worked example: sending 10,000 HKD
Using the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, 1 HKD = 0.8543 CNY, our estimate model gives these results for sending 10,000 HKD:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 67.85 HKD | 8,484.64 CNY | 57.96 CNY |
| Revolut | 30.00 HKD | 8,474.39 CNY | 68.21 CNY |
| Remitly | 0.00 HKD | 8,440.09 CNY | 102.51 CNY |
| Western Union | 39.24 HKD | 8,338.89 CNY | 203.71 CNY |
| Bank wire (typical) | 156.97 HKD | 8,198.29 CNY | 344.31 CNY |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 286.35 CNY more than a typical bank wire. Rates move daily and providers change pricing, so treat this as an illustration from our model; the live calculator above and the provider's own quote are what count. See how we estimate.
What to know when sending from Hong Kong
- Many Hong Kong banks offer cheaper transfers to the account holder's own mainland account; some set daily caps on RMB transfers, so check your bank.
- HKD is pegged to USD, so CNY/HKD moves mostly reflect the yuan.
- Mainland recipients should keep the yearly FX quota and purpose-of-funds rules in mind.
Rules and limits
In Hong Kong: Banks in Hong Kong are supervised by the HKMA; money service operators offering remittances must be licensed by the Customs and Excise Department.
In China: individuals have a USD 50,000-equivalent yearly quota for converting foreign currency into CNY. Larger amounts need proof of genuine purpose, and splitting across other people's quotas is not allowed.
How your recipient can receive it
- A mainland Chinese bank card in the recipient's name (a full-function Type I account avoids receiving limits)
- Alipay or WeChat on some providers, with per-transfer and yearly caps
- Foreign-currency wires must be converted by the recipient; many digital services pay out CNY directly
How to pick the cheapest option
- Compare the amount received, not the fee. "Zero fee" offers usually hide their cost in the rate. How markups work.
- Small amounts: watch fixed fees. Large amounts: watch the markup.
- Avoid intermediary deductions. Why SWIFT wires arrive short.
- Check the payout method and the recipient's name format. See how to send money to China.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Hong Kong to China?
It depends on the amount and the day's pricing. This page calculates, at today's mid-market rate, how much CNY each provider delivers for 10,000 HKD. The top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 10,000 HKD?
At the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, our model puts the gap at about 286.35 CNY versus the cheapest option. The real gap moves with rates and provider pricing.
Should I send HKD or RMB from Hong Kong to the mainland?
Hong Kong banks offer RMB accounts, and sending RMB skips mainland conversion, but compare the bank's HKD/CNY rate. Sending HKD means the recipient converts it, which counts against their yearly quota.
Is there a limit on money sent to China?
Recipients in China have a USD 50,000-equivalent yearly quota for converting foreign currency into CNY; amounts above it need supporting documents.
How long does a transfer take?
Transfers to your own mainland account can arrive same day at some banks; digital services usually take minutes to 1 business day.