SWIFT/BIC codes in China: banks starting with X

SWIFT/BIC codes in China

On this page you find codes for 668 institutions in China. You will need such a code mainly when making payments across borders, and especially for payments in foreign currencies.

Choose the bank below to see its head office code and its other codes along with tips for payments to and from that bank. The rest of this page covers the structure of the codes, what transfers cost and how to avoid mistakes before a payment.

International payments to China and the BIC

For China you will usually need the BIC. Without it, your bank will not process the payment at all.

In some countries, the account is identified by a local account number rather than an IBAN, sometimes with an extra bank or branch code. Check with the recipient exactly which details their bank requires for payments from abroad. International transfers sometimes go via one or more intermediary banks.

SWIFT codes in China: banks under :letter

This list only shows banks in China beginning with :letter, sorted alphabetically. The figures for China on this page apply to every bank we list and not only this letter.

Cannot find the bank? Its official name might start with a different letter, for example the full legal name rather than a brand name. The complete list remains available when the letter filter does not help.

The Chinese Yuan (CNY) and conversion costs

Bank accounts in China are usually held in CNY, the local currency. When you pay money in a different currency, the amount gets converted somewhere along the way: by your bank, an intermediary or the receiving bank.

Which bank converts the money matters. Often you pay less to send CNY directly through a transfer service that converts near the mid-market rate so the receiving bank does not need to convert again. With bigger transfers, even a small gap in the rate can be worth more than the fee.

Verifying a SWIFT code from China

The safest source for the BIC is the bank details provided by the recipient: an invoice, a statement or their online banking. An incorrect BIC can cause delays, a payment being sent back or additional charges, so compare it with the list on this page.

We collect bank codes from public sources and check our list regularly. Banks merge, close branches and retire codes. For a payment of any size, check the BIC with the recipient’s bank. GoldexPay is an independent comparison site.

Scammers often send fake invoices with changed bank details. A valid BIC tells you nothing about who owns the account – scammers use the codes of real banks.

Transfer times to China

There is no single answer for payments to China: many land the same day or the next, others take several business days. Bank holidays in either country add extra days, because banks do not process payments on those days.

A growing number of banks are connected to SWIFT gpi for faster and traceable payments. Each gpi transfer carries a unique transaction reference, the UETR. Specialist transfer services usually provide tracking online so you can follow the payment.

Recognising a SWIFT code from China

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

You can recognise a code from China by the fifth and sixth characters. A code with a different country code come from another country, even if the bank name looks familiar.

When a code ends in XXX, it means the main office and the short version works just as well. Use a branch code just when the recipient explicitly gives you one – otherwise stick with the head office.

Sending money to China for less

A bank transfer to China often costs rather more than you think. On top of the fee, correspondent banks can deduct a charge, and when the money is converted the bank usually uses a less favourable rate than the actual market rate.

The markup on the rate tends to be the largest cost item because it is hidden in the rate. A simple test: set the offered rate against the mid-market rate and look at the difference.

Money transfer services often offer a rate near the mid-market rate with clearer fees. GoldexPay lists these providers side by side so you can see the amount that reaches the recipient before you commit.

Getting paid from abroad into an account in China

If you expect money from abroad in China, give the sender a complete set of details. Share the account holder’s name, the IBAN or account number, the BIC of your bank and your address.

Find the bank in the list above and compare the code with your own bank details, but take the code from your own bank details when in doubt. You can include your bank’s name and city because some forms have separate fields for it.

Expect that the amount credited is below what the sender paid. Charges on incoming payments differ per bank. On invoices, agree who bears the costs.

Most SWIFT codes in China: Bank of Communications

Of all banks we list for China, Bank of Communications has the most SWIFT codes. The head office uses COMMCNSHXXX – the code most transfers need.

A large number of codes often reflects that the bank registers branches and departments separately. If not the recipient asks for a branch, the head office code COMMCNSHXXX works for a payment to Bank of Communications.