How to send money to China from Switzerland with the best CHF-CNY rate

The exchange rate determines the price you will pay when buying Yuan Renminbi.

A better exchange rate and lower fees means more money being sent to China.

The total cost of sending money to China from Switzerland, is made-up of a combination of fees and exchange rates. Sending with a company that can offer a good deal on both ensures a good deal on your transfer.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: Currently, the mid-market for CHF-CNY is 8.362 CNY per Swiss Franc.

• Fees: Transfer fees may have to be paid alongside the transfer, either as a set fee or a percentage of the transfer. OFX has a fee of 0 CHF per transfer (which is the cheapest option right now for a fr.4,000 transfer). Although you should search for your send amount to get live deals and lowest fees.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount of Yuan Renminbi eventually received in China.

If you are paying for services in Yuan Renminbi from Switzerland, this can make a huge difference.

Understanding the averages, and then waiting a day or two can help you get more CNY for the same amount of Swiss Franc.

You can also use a forward contract to lock in an agreed exchange rate between Switzerland and China.

Using a bank transfer to send via money transfer company is the payment method that will get you the best price when sending from Switzerland to China.

Here are all the ways to send money from Switzerland to China:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are often the fastest and cheapest way to send money from Switzerland to China.

Using a money transfer company such as OFX for payments from Switzerland to China, means you can send via a bank transfer and benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money with a debit card from Switzerland to China is easy with Western Union.


Western Union is a leader in debit card money transfers from Switzerland to China. They are the best option of the 5 transfer companies compared.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone.

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Ensuring you fully understand regulations in Switzerland and China will aid in keeping your money safe.

Our directory of worldwide financial regulators contains details on regulation for sending money between Switzerland and China.

Some companies offering money transfers between Switzerland and China have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can send or receive.

Rates and fees for different transfer amounts could change - that’s why it’s best to compare CHF-CNY rates for your specific transfer amount.

For regular transfers to China, shopping around each time can make a huge difference.

For sending large amounts of CHF to China we'd recommend using Wise. They offer a combination of rates and fees when sending from Switzerland to China that is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

There are different options for receiving Yuan Renminbi in China.

The most popular are direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all companies offering transfers from Switzerland to China will offer every method for incoming Yuan Renminbi, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

Again, a comparison of CHF to CNY providers will tell you if the method for receiving is supported.

One of the most common ways to transfer money from Switzerland into China is by sending directly to a bank account. Wise is the best company for bank transfers between Switzerland and China.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between Switzerland and China.

P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular because of convenience but are better for domestic transfers. For receiving international payments they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer options like multi-currency accounts.

If using a money transfer company to send Yuan Renminbis to China, you will need to verify your ID at the sign up stage.

The documents you need will vary and in some cases you might need more than one.

ID can be verified in Switzerland through a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license.

If the recipient needs an ID to collect money in China, it will be similar.

Large transactions between Switzerland and China, can be subject to additional checks. This includes proof of funds for anti-money laundering purposes.

One of the reasons Wise has scored so highly for transfers to China is their easy sign up process in Switzerland.

Sending regular, or larger amounts of money between Switzerland and China could mean there are tax declarations to consider.

Some transfers into Yuan Renminbi may need to be reported to tax authorities in China, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

China has many different tax obligations for residents and non-residents.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in Switzerland or China to discuss your personal circumstances. This ensures you are not missing any specific tax needs associated with your transfer.