SWIFT/BIC codes in Hong Kong SAR China: banks starting with G

SWIFT/BIC codes in Hong Kong SAR China

In Hong Kong SAR China we have 1362 SWIFT/BIC codes, spread over 1158 banks. A BIC tells the banks handling a transfer exactly which bank should receive an international payment.

Each bank has its own page with its main code and, where available, branch codes. Below the list we explain how codes from Hong Kong SAR China are built, how to send money there at a fair price and how to check a code before you pay.

The cheapest way to send money to Hong Kong SAR China

An international bank payment to Hong Kong SAR China often costs more than you think. Besides a fixed fee, correspondent banks may take a cut and, if currencies are converted, the bank usually uses a rate below the actual market rate.

The real cost is often in the rate. Check the bank’s rate against the mid-market rate that you find on financial sites; the gap is what conversion costs you.

For a lot of currency pairs, a specialist provider turns out to be less expensive than a traditional bank transfer, mainly because of the rate. Before you send money to Hong Kong SAR China, it is worth comparing what arrives on GoldexPay rather than accepting the first rate you see.

Filter: banks in Hong Kong SAR China with :letter

This filter narrows the list to banks in Hong Kong SAR China starting with :letter to make searching quicker. The totals on this page apply to all 1158 banks, not just the ones under :letter.

Many institutions are listed under their legal name, so the letter can differ from what you expect. Try the full list for Hong Kong SAR China when you are not sure the exact name.

Verifying a SWIFT code from Hong Kong SAR China

Have the recipient send you their bank details straight from their online banking. An incorrect BIC may lead to a delay, a payment being sent back or extra fees.

We collect bank codes using public sources and check our list from time to time. Still, banks merge, rename themselves or retire codes and our data may lag behind. For a payment of any size, check the code with the recipient’s bank. GoldexPay is not a bank.

Scammers regularly use fake invoices with changed bank details from what looks like a familiar address. A valid BIC tells you nothing about who owns the account: criminals use real codes too.

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, The and its SWIFT codes

Among the 1158 institutions we list, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, The holds the largest number of SWIFT/BIC codes of all banks in Hong Kong SAR China. The head office uses HSBCHKHHXXX, which is the code to use when no branch is specified.

Banks differ in how many codes they register – a high count is not a measure of size. Making a payment to Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, The? Go with HSBCHKHHXXX unless a specific branch code is requested.

Why a transfer to Hong Kong SAR China needs a SWIFT code

Because Hong Kong SAR China is outside SEPA, a transfer from abroad is usually sent as a SWIFT payment. That means you always need the SWIFT/BIC code of the recipient’s bank in addition to the account details.

In some countries, the account is identified by a domestic account number rather than an IBAN. Ask the recipient which details their bank needs for payments from abroad; banks often publish instructions for this. SWIFT payments sometimes go via correspondent banks, each of which may deduct a fee.

The structure of a Hong Kong SAR China SWIFT/BIC code

Every SWIFT/BIC code has 8 or 11 characters in a fixed order. The first four letters identify the bank, the fifth and sixth characters are the country code and characters seven and eight mark the location.

No matter which bank, every code from Hong Kong SAR China share the same fifth and sixth letters. A code with other letters in that position belong to another country, even if the bank name looks familiar.

The long version ends in three characters for a branch, where XXX means the head office. Use a branch code just when the recipient explicitly gives you one – otherwise stick with the head office.

Hong Kong SAR China and the Hong Kong Dollar

Most accounts in Hong Kong SAR China are typically held in HKD, the local currency. If you send money in a different currency, it has to be converted somewhere along the way – by your bank, a bank in between or the recipient’s bank.

Where the conversion happens has an effect on how much arrives, since every bank sets its own rate. Check how much HKD arrives via several providers. Exchange rates change during the day – some providers let you lock in a rate.

Receiving money in Hong Kong SAR China from abroad

When you expect a payment from another country on an account in Hong Kong SAR China, give the sender everything they need in one go. In practice that means: your full name exactly as it appears on the account, your account number or IBAN, the BIC of your bank and usually your address.

Your bank’s code is in the list on this page but always compare it with your own bank details. Some sending banks may also ask for your bank’s address, so keep it at hand.

The amount you receive can be lower than what was sent. Correspondent banks can take a fee and your own bank may charge for processing, and if the money is converted, a markup on the rate comes on top. Agree with the sender who covers the fees, especially for larger amounts.

Tracking a payment to Hong Kong SAR China

How quickly a payment reaches Hong Kong SAR China depends on a few things: the currency, the number of banks in between, cut-off times and time zones. Public holidays in either country add extra days to the journey.

If a transfer seems delayed, ask the sender to contact the sending bank; only the sending side can start an official trace. Keep your transfer receipt until the money has arrived.