First: how much cash should you bring?
Enough to be useful, and not much more.
Why:
- Mobile payment is everywhere in China (Alipay/WeChat — even a roadside stall takes a scan)
- Large amounts of cash are a nuisance to bring in (you have to declare it, and there is a security risk)
- But bringing none at all does not work either (some small stalls and old markets take cash only)
My suggestion: bring the equivalent of USD 500–1,000 in RMB cash, and use cards or mobile payment for the rest.
The cash limits (official rules)
Two thresholds — do not mix them up.
| Currency | Limit | What to do if over |
|---|---|---|
| RMB | 20,000 yuan per person per trip | Declare it as required |
| Foreign currency | No upper limit on entry, but above the equivalent of USD 5,000 you must declare in writing | Use the "goods to declare" channel |
⚠️ The key point: the rule for foreign currency coming in is not "you may not bring more than 5,000"; it is "above 5,000 you must declare".
Going out is a different matter (and stricter):
| Carrying foreign currency out | Requirement |
|---|---|
| ≤ USD 5,000 | No 《携带证》 (currency-carrying permit) needed; customs clears you |
| USD 5,000–10,000 | Apply to a bank for the 《携带证》 |
| > USD 10,000 | Apply to the foreign exchange authority for the 《携带证》 |
⚠️ One exception: for multiple crossings in a single day, or multiple crossings within 15 days, the limits are stricter (you cannot take 5,000 every time).
What happens if you go over?
Two situations, and the outcomes are very different.
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Over the limit but declared voluntarily (not hidden) | Warning + a fine of up to 20% of the excess, cash returned |
| Over the limit and concealed or not declared | Treated as smuggling ⇒ all of it confiscated + a fine of up to 100% |
⚠️ The whole difference is "declared or not" — declare and it is a fine; conceal it and it is confiscation.
How do you turn money into RMB?
Four routes.
| Method | Where | Pros and cons |
|---|---|---|
| Bank counter | Airport, city banks | Proper exchange rate; queues, passport required |
| ATM withdrawal | Airport, malls, banks | 24 hours; foreign cards work (Visa/Mastercard), a fee applies |
| Exchange counter | Airport, hotels | Convenient; poor rate |
| Mobile payment linked to a card | Your phone | Most convenient; needs a foreign card linked |
⚠️ My suggestion:
- Large amounts: bank counter (better rate)
- Small amounts, emergencies: ATM
- Day to day: Alipay/WeChat with a foreign card linked (foreign cards are supported now)
Can foreigners use mobile payment?
Yes, but you have to link a card.
Alipay and WeChat both support linking an overseas bank card (Visa/Mastercard and others).
The process (roughly):
- Download the app
- Verify your identity with your passport
- Link the foreign card
- Scan to pay
⚠️ Two limits:
- There are per-transaction and annual caps (foreign-card spending)
- Not every merchant takes foreign cards (big malls and chains mostly do)
One big trap: counterfeit notes
When you take cash in China, watch for counterfeit notes.
Especially:
- Old markets and small stalls (the change can come back with a fake note)
- Taxis (the driver's change)
How to protect yourself:
- Use mobile payment for anything large
- Check the watermark when you take cash
- Let them scan your code where you can
⚠️ In practice: the counterfeit rate in China is low (lower still since mobile payment spread), but do not drop your guard completely.
A practical checklist
Five things to do before you fly.
- Change the equivalent of USD 500–1,000 into RMB (enough for a week of daily spending)
- Carry a card that can withdraw cash (Visa/Mastercard)
- Install Alipay/WeChat and link your card before you go (doing it after you land can be painful)
- Carry your passport (banks and exchange counters ask for it)
- Save your bank's customer-service number (so you can block the card if you lose it)
Paying for the goods — how?
That is a different matter — not cash, but a wire transfer.
The usual methods:
| Method | What it is |
|---|---|
| T/T (telegraphic transfer) | The most common; paid straight into the factory's account |
| Letter of credit (L/C) | Large amounts, first-time cooperation |
| Platform payment | Through Alibaba and similar platforms (some protection, higher cost) |
⚠️ One iron rule: the name on the receiving account must match the contracting party (a mismatch is high risk).
This is covered in detail in the piece on telling factories from traders.
Sources (2026-11-04)
| Item | Nature | Source | Date checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| RMB cash limit 20,000 yuan per person per trip | ✅ Official | Shenzhen Municipal Government Port Office (citing Huangpu Customs 12360, 2025-07-17) | 2026-11-04 |
| No upper limit on foreign currency entering; above the equivalent of USD 5,000 must be declared | ✅ Official | Same | 2026-11-04 |
| Leaving with ≤5,000: no 《携带证》; 5,000–10,000: bank permit; >10,000: foreign exchange authority permit | ✅ Official | Same | 2026-11-04 |
| Over the limit and undeclared: warning + a fine of up to 20% | ✅ Official | Same | 2026-11-04 |
| Concealed or not declared: confiscation + a fine of up to 100% (smuggling) | ✅ Official | Same | 2026-11-04 |
| Stricter limits for same-day or short-interval repeat crossings | ✅ Official | Same | 2026-11-04 |
| Alipay/WeChat support linking foreign cards | ⚠️ Common practice | The platforms do support it; caps are set by the platform | 2026-11-04 |
| Suggestion to bring the equivalent of USD 500–1,000 | ⚠️ Experience | No official standard | 2026-11-04 |
| Counterfeit rate in China is low | ⚠️ Experience | Observation since mobile payment spread | 2026-11-04 |
Official link: https://ka.sz.gov.cn/gkmlpt/content/12/12283/mpost_12283223.html