Who sends money from Japan to China
- Trainees and Specified Skilled Workers sending money home monthly
- Students sending part-time earnings home
- Workers moving savings back to China
Worked example: sending 100,000 JPY
Using the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, 1 JPY = 0.0424 CNY, our estimate model gives these results for sending 100,000 JPY:
| Provider | Est. fee | Est. received | Total cost vs mid-market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | 758 JPY | 4,204.87 CNY | 32.13 CNY |
| Revolut | 300 JPY | 4,203.17 CNY | 33.83 CNY |
| Remitly | 0 JPY | 4,186.16 CNY | 50.84 CNY |
| Western Union | 791 JPY | 4,119.41 CNY | 117.59 CNY |
| Bank wire (typical) | 3,165 JPY | 4,000.34 CNY | 236.66 CNY |
In this example Wise delivers roughly 204.53 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 Japan
- Japanese banks commonly charge several thousand yen per overseas transfer, plus intermediary fees.
- For monthly senders, fixed fees matter most; batching two or three months can save money.
- The yen has been volatile; set a target rate and send when it hits.
Rules and limits
In Japan: Overseas transfers in Japan go through banks or funds transfer service providers registered with the FSA; Type II providers are capped at JPY 1 million per transfer. For overseas transfers above JPY 1 million, financial institutions file a report with the tax office.
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 Japan 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 100,000 JPY. The top row is currently the cheapest by our estimate.
How much more does a bank wire cost for 100,000 JPY?
At the ECB reference rate on 2026-10-07, our model puts the gap at about 204.53 CNY versus the cheapest option. The real gap moves with rates and provider pricing.
Is there a per-transfer limit in Japan?
Most funds transfer providers cap transfers at JPY 1 million (the legal limit for Type II providers). Banks have no such cap, but transfers above JPY 1 million are reported to the tax office.
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?
Funds transfer providers: minutes to 2 business days. Bank overseas transfers: typically 2–5 business days.