SWIFT/BIC codes in China: banks starting with E

Bank SWIFT codes for China

In China our database holds 2652 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 668 institutions. A BIC tells the banks handling a transfer exactly which bank is meant to get the money.

Every bank is listed with its own page with its main code and if there are any, branch codes. Further down we explain how a code from China is put together, how to send money to China at a fair price and how to check a code before you pay.

SWIFT transfers to China

To pay into China you usually need the BIC – China is not a SEPA country. Without it, most banks cannot send the payment at all.

Not every country uses IBAN numbers – where there is none, the local account number is enough. The recipient’s bank usually has instructions for payments from abroad – follow them exactly. International transfers sometimes go via correspondent banks, each of which may deduct a fee.

Tracking a payment to China

An international transfer to China usually needs anywhere from one to several business days – it depends on currency, route and the banks in between. Payments made after the cut-off time or on weekends and holidays usually go out a business day later.

Many banks use SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each payment gets a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Keep the payment confirmation until the recipient confirms – you will need it if something goes wrong.

What the letters in a China BIC mean

SWIFT/BIC codes use the same format worldwide: 8 characters plus an optional three-character extension. It starts with four letters for the bank, followed by a two-letter country code and two characters for the location.

For banks in China, characters five and six are the ISO country code of China. A code with other letters in that position come from a bank abroad – a quick way to catch mistakes.

If the last three are XXX, it means the head office and the short version works just as well. Choose a branch code just if the recipient explicitly gives you one; otherwise the head office code is the safe choice.

Paying in CNY: what conversion costs you

Most accounts in China are typically held in CNY, the local currency. A payment in a foreign currency is exchanged into CNY – and the bank that does it picks the rate.

Who converts the payment makes a difference. In many cases you pay less if you send CNY straight away through a transfer service that converts near the mid-market rate. With bigger transfers, even a small difference in the rate adds up quickly.

Bank or transfer service for China?

A bank transfer to China often costs more than the fee suggests. Besides a fixed fee, intermediary banks may take a cut, and when the money is converted the bank usually applies a rate below the actual market rate.

The markup on the rate is often the largest part of the cost. An easy check: set the offered rate against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Specialist money transfer services frequently offer rates closer to the mid-market rate with clearer fees. GoldexPay lists transfer services side by side so you can see the amount that reaches the recipient.

Check the code before you pay

The most reliable place for the correct BIC is a document from the bank itself. An incorrect BIC may lead to a delay, a payment being sent back or additional charges.

We gather bank codes using publicly available data and update our list regularly. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or change codes, so information can be out of date. Treat our data as a starting point, not as the final word. GoldexPay is not a bank and is not affiliated with the banks listed.

Watch out for invoices containing changed bank details – a common fraud method. A valid BIC says nothing about whether a request is genuine: criminals use real codes too.

Banks in China starting with :letter

The letter filter limits the list to banks in China starting with :letter, so you can find a bank faster. The totals on this page cover all 668 banks, not just the ones under :letter.

Cannot find the bank? Its official name may begin with another word, for example the full legal name rather than a brand name. Use the full list for China when you are not sure the exact name.

What a sender needs to pay you in China

When you are waiting for a payment from another country on an account in China, send the payer everything they need in one go. Give them the account holder’s name, your account number or IBAN, your bank’s SWIFT code and your address, which some banks require.

Your bank’s code is in the list on this page. You can add your bank’s name and city as well, since some payment forms ask for it.

What lands in your account can be lower than the amount sent. Charges on incoming payments differ per bank – your bank’s price list tells you what applies. Agree with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

Most SWIFT codes in China: Bank of Communications

Bank of Communications leads the list of China banks in SWIFT/BIC codes. The head office uses COMMCNSHXXX.

Many codes usually reflects that the bank registers branches and departments separately, not necessarily that the bank is the biggest in the country. Unless the recipient asks for a branch, COMMCNSHXXX is fine for transfers to this bank.