Does Chinese ATM accept a 4 digit pin?

Question

I will be travelling to China next month from Australia. I've read that Chinese banks ATMs requires a 6 digit pin .However Australian debit cards only has 4 digit pin.

I'm hoping someone who has recently travelled to China and have taken money out from an ATM can advice, whether:

1) they were able to do so with a 4 digit pin and which Chinese banks was it?

2) if 4 digit doesn't work, did they try putting "00" after or before the 4 digit pin to get around the 6 digit requirement?

In preparation for the trip, I have also installed both Alipay and WeChat pay. Besides the 2 apps, I also want to be able to withdraw cash as a backup.

Appreciate if some experts can let me know. Thanks

Answer

This is a very common question for travelers from countries like Australia, the UK, or the US, where most debit and credit cards use a 4-digit PIN. The good news is that most major bank ATMs in China today can accept foreign cards with 4-digit PINs, especially those linked to Visa, Mastercard, or Plus/Cirrus networks.

China’s domestic banking system generally uses 6-digit PINs for local cards, but ATMs connected to international networks are programmed to accept 4-digit codes from overseas-issued cards. You do not normally need to add extra digits such as “00” before or after your PIN.

Here’s a detailed breakdown based on recent traveler experiences and banking practices:

1) Using a 4-digit PIN: Most travelers report being able to withdraw cash successfully with a 4-digit PIN from the following banks’ ATMs:
- Bank of China (widely compatible with Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay networks)
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)
- China Construction Bank (CCB)
- Agricultural Bank of China (ABC)
- HSBC (in larger cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen)
These banks’ ATMs usually recognize the card type and automatically switch to an “international transaction” mode, where 4-digit PINs work without issue.

2) If a 4-digit PIN doesn’t work: In rare cases, some older or rural ATMs might not accept a 4-digit PIN. In that case:
- Cancel the transaction immediately rather than guessing or adding digits.
- Try a different ATM — ideally one at a major national bank branch in a city area.
- Do not add “00” before or after your PIN — this can be treated as an incorrect PIN and could temporarily block your card after several failed attempts.
- If repeated issues occur, contact your bank’s international helpline — sometimes a card may have regional or network restrictions that can be lifted before your trip.

Additional recommendations:

Inform your home bank of your travel dates so international ATM withdrawals in China are not flagged as suspicious.
Bring at least one backup card from a different bank/network in case a certain ATM brand does not recognize your primary card.
ATMs that show Visa/Plus or Mastercard/Cirrus logos are the best bet for international withdrawals.
Withdraw during regular business hours and at major branches for security and technical support if an issue arises.
Most Chinese ATMs will ask whether to charge in “local currency (RMB)” or “your card’s currency.” Always choose RMB to avoid high dynamic currency conversion fees.

About Alipay and WeChat Pay:

It’s excellent that you already have both apps. With foreign Visa/Mastercard now accepted on both platforms (after identity verification), you can easily pay at most shops, restaurants, and transport points. Cash is less frequently used in large cities, but it’s still wise to have some on hand for small markets, taxis in rural areas, or older venues that don’t scan foreign-linked apps.

In summary: