Activate Mobile Payment before Your Next Business Trip to China

Using your phone to pay is now a daily gesture and the main mean of payment for most Chinese. In 2018, around 83% of all payments were made via mobile payment modes.

This is definitely very convenient, you practically don’t need cash anymore in the Middle Kingdom.

But on the other hand, today some shops won’t even accept cash, taxi drivers barely keep any change, most apps only accept mobile payment (Didi - the local Chinese Uber -, food delivery, etc). A very frustrating situation for foreigners traveling in China for business trips. Until recently, only local Chinese cards were accepted.

Rest assured dear buyers and business travelers, some solutions now exist for you!

Since November 2019, Chinese payments giant WeChat Pay and Alipay (the 2 biggest phone payment platform) have now been enabled for foreign visitors to pay for goods and services in China. Foreigners can now directly connect their international credit card (Visa, MasterCard and American Express).

On wechat:

1. On the homepage, “+” sign at the top of the screen and select “Money” from the menu that appears.
2. Select “Enable Now” button on the next page and then “Verify User Info.
3. You can now add your international bankcard!

On Alipay:

1. On the homepage, search for "TourPass" in the search bar on top. Tours pass is a “min app” that that allows travelers to load money into AliPay with international credit cards.
2. You can then chose the amount you want to load (up to a maximum of 2,000 RMB, but you can always top up later with a maximum of 5000 RMB for 90 days).
3. Now imput your nationality, passport number, full legal name as shown on your passport, date of birth, photo of your valid Chinese visa and credit card information.
4. Done! You’re good to go and enjoy E-China.

So you now know what you have to do before your next business trip to China.

Feel also always free to come and visit us during your next business trip for any Quality Control questions and projects!

Last but not least, we recommend you setting up your WeChat wallet or AliPay before going to China. Indeed, these services often require you to receive a confirmation SMS text to the local phone number linked to your card.