How to Send Money from Japan to China【2026 Route & Fee Comparison】
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This guide covers sending money from Japan to China (Wise, SBI Remit, bank wires). The same services and steps also apply to most other destinations — see the full remittance comparison.
- Sending money from Japan to China is mainly a choice between Wise, SBI Remit, and bank wire transfer.
- For small to mid-size amounts, Wise's total cost can be lower, and it supports major Chinese banks (ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Merchants Bank, etc.).
- For direct transfers to a mainland China bank account, SBI Remit can also be an option.
- Transfers exceeding 1,000,000 yen in a single transaction may be reported to the tax office via a "Statement of Overseas Remittances" (Kokugai Sokin-to Chosho).
① Service Comparison (Japan → China)
- Wise: 0.5–0.7% (low-cost), mid-market rate, hours–1 day ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- SBI Remit: free–¥748, proprietary rate, same day–1 day ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Megabanks: ¥2,500–5,000 + rate spread, 2–5 business days ⭐⭐
② Sending via Wise — Key Points
You need: recipient name (in pinyin/Latin), bank name, 19-digit account number, and SWIFT code (e.g., ICBC: ICBKCNBJ). Limit ~¥1M per transfer. Fund via bank transfer or convenience store; arrival within hours to 1 business day.
③ How to send money to China with SBI Remit
- Supported banks
- Major banks in mainland China (ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, China Merchants Bank, Bank of China, Bank of Communications, etc.)
- Fees
- Free to ¥748, depending on the transfer method and amount
- Exchange rate
- SBI Remit’s own rate (which can be slightly less favorable than Wise’s)
- Note
- For larger transfers, comparing the rate against Wise is recommended
SBI Remit is an international remittance service operated by the SBI Group, and it supports direct transfers to bank accounts in mainland China. Its fees can be low, but depending on the exchange rate there are cases where Wise’s total cost works out cheaper. We recommend comparing both services’ simulators before you send.
④ Linking with Alipay and WeChat Pay (支付宝・微信支付)
Topping up or converting Japanese yen directly into Chinese yuan through Alipay (支付宝) or WeChat Pay (微信支付) is as a rule subject to tight restrictions within Japan. Since 2023, direct remittance features to China for users living in Japan have been shrinking as each company responds to its terms of service and to regulation.
The stable methods continue to be bank transfers via Wise or SBI Remit.
⑤ Regulatory Notes
- China caps personal foreign-currency receipt at USD 50,000/year; family living expenses usually fit within this
- For transfers over 1,000,000 yen per transaction, the financial institution files a "Statement of Overseas Remittances" with the tax office (threshold: over 1,000,000 yen)
- Direct top-ups to Alipay/WeChat Pay from Japan are restricted — bank-account transfers via Wise/SBI Remit remain the stable route
For the tax side of overseas remittances (living expense transfers, gift tax, mandatory reporting), see the overseas remittance and tax guide.
New to sending money abroad? See the Wise how-to guide (sign-up, verification, sending steps) for the full flow. For a comparison of all services across countries, see the guide to low-fee ways to send money. To send money to Vietnam, compare fees and methods in the Japan-to-Vietnam remittance guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A. The three main methods are Wise, SBI Remit, and bank wire transfer (megabanks or Japan Post Bank). Fees, exchange rates, arrival speed, and supported Chinese banks differ, so it is best to compare and choose.
A. For small to mid-size amounts, Wise's total cost tends to be lower, and it supports major banks such as ICBC, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and China Merchants Bank. SBI Remit also supports direct transfers to mainland China bank accounts; since the total cost varies with the exchange rate, it is best to compare both services' simulators before sending.
A. You need the recipient's name (in pinyin), bank name, branch name, account number, and SWIFT code. The SWIFT code can be checked on each bank's official website.
A. Within Japan this is tightly restricted due to service terms and foreign-exchange regulations, and may be limited. The stable method is a bank-account transfer via Wise or SBI Remit. Please check each service's official website for the latest information.
A. For transfers over 1,000,000 yen in a single transaction, you may be asked to present identity documents and confirm the purpose of the transfer. In addition, on the China side, an individual's annual receipt and exchange of foreign currency is capped at the equivalent of USD 50,000.
Are you losing money on transfer fees and exchange rates without realizing it? Wise (multi-currency transfers) has a clear fee structure and can sometimes send at near the real exchange rate.
* Fees, rates and supported countries change; check the official sites. Availability may depend on residence status/verification.