What is a typical wire transfer fee to China?

A standard international SWIFT wire transfer (T/T or Telegraphic Transfer) typically costs $30 to $50 on the sender's out-going side. However, intermediary (correspondent) banks will often slice $15-$25 off the wire in transit, and the receiving Chinese bank may charge another $10-$20.

Why did my supplier receive less money than I sent?

This is due to "Correspondent Bank Fees." When you initiate a SWIFT transfer and choose the "SHA" (Shared) fee option, intermediary banks take their cut directly from the principal amount. To ensure the supplier gets the exact invoiced amount, select the "OUR" option, which bills all intermediary fees to your account.

💳 Payment & Finance

International Wire Transfer Fee Calculator for Chinese Suppliers

Use our international wire transfer fee calculator to calculate the real cost of an international wire transfer to a Chinese supplier, including SWIFT fees, receiving bank charges, and FX markup.

Updated: 2026-04-17

Planning Reference

Rates Last Reviewed April 2026

Reference Basis

Based on typical bank transfer fees, published LC fee schedules, and benchmark FX spread data.

Planning Note

Bank fees and FX rates change daily. Confirm actual charges with your bank or payment provider before transacting.

Secondary opportunity

international wire transfer fee calculator
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Transfer Amount USD USD amount you are sending to your Chinese supplier.

Outgoing Wire Fee USD Your bank's outgoing international wire fee. Typical: $25-$50.

Receiving Bank Fee USD Chinese bank receiving fee. Typical: RMB 50-200 (about $7-$30).

Mid-Market USD/CNY Rate CNY per $1 Live rate at xe.com or Google. This is the real exchange rate.

Your Bank's USD/CNY Rate CNY per $1 Your quoted conversion rate, usually 1%-3% worse than mid-market.

The Hidden Costs of Wiring Money to China

Paying Chinese suppliers via traditional bank wires (T/T) is the industry standard for commercial orders, but it carries "hidden" friction costs that erode your margins. Unlike domestic ACH transfers, international SWIFT wires pass through multiple institutions.

The "OUR" vs "SHA" Trap:
If you owe a factory exactly $5,000 and select the "SHA" fee structure, the factory might only receive $4,980. They will then refuse to ship your goods until you send the missing $20. Sending an additional $20 international wire will cost you another $45 in flat fees. Always use the "OUR" fee instruction if you are paying an exact invoice balance.

Tips for China Importers

Never pay 100% upfront to a new supplier. The global standard for China B2B is 30% deposit, 70% before shipment (or against Bill of Lading copy). Full upfront payment removes all your negotiating leverage.
Use Alibaba Trade Assurance for first orders. It adds supplier accountability and dispute resolution at no extra cost to you. Only remove it once you have 3–5 successful orders with a supplier.
Factor FX risk into your cost model. CNY/USD rates can move 3–8% in a year. A 5% FX move on a $50,000 order is $2,500. Consider forward contracts or timing purchases around FX movements.
Calculate the true APR of your supplier payment terms. A 2% discount for early payment (e.g., 2/10 net 30) equates to ~36% APR. If your credit line costs less, take the discount every time.
Match your payment timing to your cash flow cycle. If you pay your supplier before the goods arrive and you have 30-day customer terms, you may be financing 75+ days of inventory. Model your cash conversion cycle.

The Hidden Costs of Wiring Money to China

Tips for China Importers

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