money transfer via alipay

Question

Hi all,

I've downloaded Alipay lately from France. This will be to make payments when we are in China.

However I've tried to transfer a small amount of Yuans to an agency without any success. It looks as if my bank doesn't allow such operations probably owing to security matters.

Have you ever experienced a similar problem trying to transfer money to China from your country ?

Hoping Alipay will work once I am there...

Answer

Using Alipay from outside China can indeed be tricky, as many international bank cards are restricted from performing cross-border transfers to Chinese accounts for security reasons. This is a common issue for travelers who try to pre-load or send money to local agencies before arriving in China.

Here are some points and recommendations based on common experiences:

International bank restrictions: Many French, US, and European banks block transfers to Chinese payment platforms like Alipay or WeChat Pay unless you have set up international transfer permissions or use special services.
Alipay limitations: The version of Alipay downloaded outside China may allow registration but will often not support sending RMB to local accounts until your account is linked to a Chinese bank card or a verified international card accepted by Alipay.
Verification requirements: Alipay usually requires identity verification for non-Chinese users, including passport verification and linking a card. Some functions, like peer-to-peer transfers or paying local agencies, may be restricted until verification is complete.

Practical options when you arrive in China:

Once in China, link a local Chinese bank card to Alipay; this will enable all functions, including sending money to agencies or individuals.
Consider carrying a small amount of cash in RMB for immediate payments upon arrival if transfers fail.
Some travelers use international money transfer services such as Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Western Union to send money to China, but these often come with fees and delays.
Alternatively, if the agency accepts it, pay directly via credit card or cash on arrival to bypass pre-transfer issues.

In short, it is very common to encounter transfer issues from abroad. Most people find that Alipay works fully once they are in China with a verified local bank account or card linked.