Payments

How much cash can I bring to China, and where should I exchange it?

Q: How much cash can I bring to China, and where should I exchange it?

You can bring up to ¥20,000 in cash AND up to the equivalent of US$5,000 in foreign currency without declaring anything — those are two separate limits, not a combined one. Don't buy much RMB before you go; rates abroad and at airport kiosks are poor. Bring a small starter amount, then exchange the rest after you land at a major bank — Bank of China is the easiest for foreigners — or just withdraw from an ATM. A typical tourist is nowhere near the customs limits.

Last updated Jun 10, 2026

How much you can bring through customs

No declaration needed up to two separate thresholds: ¥20,000 in Chinese cash, AND the equivalent of US$5,000 in foreign currency. They're independent, not added together.
Bringing more is legal but must be declared in writing at customs — it's just paperwork (and proof of source), not a penalty. Failing to declare a large sum risks confiscation or fines.
Taking foreign currency back OUT above US$5,000 needs a bank permit (US$5,000–10,000) or a SAFE permit (over US$10,000), so keep things simple.

These limits are per person per trip and don't reset for frequent same-day crossings — you can't split a large sum across trips. A normal tourist carrying ¥2,000–5,000 is far below them.

Where to exchange — best to worst

Best: a major Chinese bank branch — Bank of China (most foreigner-friendly), ICBC, CCB, or AgBank. No commission, the best rate; the cost is time and a possible language barrier.
Fine: ATMs (see the ATM guide) — convenient and decent rates, but they layer on fees.
Worst: airport and hotel exchange counters — rates can be 10–20% worse, plus a handling fee (often ¥60–80 at airports).
Bring your passport to every over-the-counter exchange (no passport, no service), and keep the receipts — you may need them to convert leftover RMB back when you leave.

A simple plan

Because buying RMB abroad usually gives a poor rate, the easy approach is: change only a small starter amount (around US$50–100, or ¥500–1,000) for your airport-to-hotel transport, then rely on Alipay/WeChat plus an ATM once you're in the city. China manages its exchange rate, so the underlying rate barely varies by location — the real difference between options is the fees, not the headline rate.

Tipping isn't customary in mainland China (a minor exception: bellhops at high-end international hotels), so you won't burn cash on tips.

Your next step

Next: get your payment setup sorted

Five quick questions and the Payment Setup Checker gives you a recommended path, a backup, and what to test before you fly. Save it to your Arrival Plan when it helps.

Open the Payment Setup Checker

Keep reading

Build your China Arrival Plan.

Start with your first city, then save payment, internet, arrival, and final-check recommendations into one return link.

Build my Arrival Plan

Payment-app support, visa rules, and connectivity change. Verify time-sensitive items with official sources before departure.