Money Changing & ATM Charges

Question

I will be arriving in Xiamen from HK by air and will be staying in Xiamen for 5 nights. I don't have any US$ bills but I can carry Au$ bills if they can be changed easily in Xiamen. I will bring my Aust Visa credit and MC debit cards with me. 1) Are ATMs available in international arrival area of the airport? 2)Which bank ATMs should I use? 4) Are the ATM charges different from bank to bank? 4) Is it possible to exchange Au$ in the airport, in the downtown and Zhongshan Road? Thank you

Answer

1) Are ATMs available in the international arrival area of the airport?

Yes — at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) there are ATMs and currency-exchange counters in the terminals.
For example: ATMs from major banks such as Bank of China, China Construction Bank and Industrial & Commercial Bank of China are listed at the airport departures/arrivals.
However, note that while the machines exist, whether they accept *your specific foreign debit / credit card* may vary. In forums travellers report that “Bank of China and China Construction Bank ATMs usually work with international cards” in Xiamen.

2) Which bank ATMs should you use?

Best bet: Bank of China ATMs — often cited as reliable for international cards.
China Construction Bank (CCB) is also mentioned as one of the larger banks whose machines often accept foreign cards.
Avoid assuming all ATMs accept foreign cards: some smaller/less international-friendly banks or machines may decline cards. One traveller wrote: “Some ATM doesn’t accept MC/VisaCard to draw cash.”

3) Are the ATM charges different from bank to bank?

From traveller reports: Chinese banks themselves may not always impose a visible “ATM withdrawal fee” for foreigners, but your own home bank (in Australia, for example) will likely charge you for international withdrawal, currency conversion, etc.
Some forums claim “Chinese banks don’t charge a fee for ATM uses. So if there is any fee it’ll be charged by your own bank.”
That said, exact terms vary by bank and card type. You should check with your Australian bank (credit and debit) regarding: withdrawal fee, overseas usage fee, currency conversion rate, whether the card is enabled for China. Also check your card shows the correct network (Visa/Mastercard) and look for the relevant logo on the ATM.

4) Is it possible to exchange Australian dollars (A$) in the airport, in downtown and on Zhongshan Road?

Yes, but with caveats:

Currency exchange counters are available at the airport (XMN) — you’ll find foreign-exchange counters in Terminals T3/T4.
In downtown Xiamen (including shopping/tourist areas like Zhongshan Road pedestrian street) there are currency-exchange shops/branches. For example, one “Wise” guide lists specific currency-exchange businesses in Xiamen.
However, exchanging Australian dollars may *not* be as straightforward as USD/EUR etc. Many exchange desks may prefer major currencies (USD, HKD, EUR) and might apply poorer rates or even decline less commonly exchanged currencies. Also, airport rates tend to be less favourable (higher margins) than downtown banks. One guide says: “There’s no such thing as fee-free or 0% commission foreign exchange transactions. Always check the mid‐market rate in advance.”
Therefore, if you plan to bring A$ bills with the intention of exchanging them, you should go to a reputable bank or recognised foreign-exchange shop in downtown Xiamen rather than relying solely on the airport for a good rate. Also consider the possibility that you may need to show passport or other ID at the exchange desk (China’s foreign-exchange regulations require identification).

Additional practical tips:

Before travel, inform your Australian bank you’ll be using the card in China (so they don’t flag/disable it). Check your card allows international withdrawals and has Visa/Mastercard logo and supports “+ 24h” remote use.
Carry at least some RMB cash on arrival (100-300 CNY) in case you face any problems with cards/ATMs or if you arrive late and don’t want to hunt for an ATM immediately.
Be aware that while cash (RMB) is still accepted in Xiamen (though many places favour mobile-payment methods such as Alipay / WeChat Pay), having some cash is a good backup.
If you exchange A$ in downtown, compare multiple places and ask for the exchange rate and any fees/commission up front.
Keep your receipts and check your home bank statement for the exact foreign‐transaction rates/fees you incur.

Summary

Yes — you’ll find ATMs at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport and you’ll be able to use major bank ATMs (Bank of China, China Construction Bank) with your international card, though there’s no guarantee it will work depending on your card/network. Charges at the Chinese bank end are minimal or built into the rate, but your own Australian bank will likely apply fees. Exchanging Australian dollars is possible both at the airport and downtown, but you’ll likely get a much better deal downtown; airport exchange tends to be more expensive and some counters may not accept less common currencies. So: use your card at a reliable ATM when you arrive, carry some small amount of RMB cash, and if you’re exchanging A$, consider doing so in town for best value.

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