Where to Use Your International Card
You can use your international card in most tourist and business areas. In some shopping areas (Wangfujing, Zhongguancun, Dongzhimen) there are special ATMs for foreign cards. Local cards do not work in these ATMs.
If you are not in a tourist or business area, you will probably be able to use your international card at Bank of Communications ATMs, and you may also be able to make withdrawals at a Bank of China ATM.
Withdrawing Cash
Every time you withdraw from an ATM that is not owned by your bank, you will be charged a fee of 2 yuan. If you use a local card at your own bank's ATM, the withdrawal is free.
If you find that you are unable to withdraw from an account - for no obvious reason - try another account category. For example, you may have to select "Credit" to access a savings account at an ATM.
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Exchanging Currency
Regarding the form - you may only need to fill in your personal information and the amount that you wish to exchange.
Keep the receipt so that you can convert back to the original currency when you leave the country.
Receiving Money From Abroad
Funds Transfer / Wire Transfer
Process for transferring funds to a Beijing account from outside China
The SWIFT network is used and the sender will require the following information from the recipient:
Name of the account holder/recipient
Account number
Bank branch name
Bank address
SWIFT Code
Phone number of the bank branch
Phone number of the account holder/recipient
If the bank that is sending the funds is not directly connected to the SWIFT network, the bank may ask for another bank to send the money. The second bank may charge a fee. Each bank that is involved in the process may charge a fee – usually from $20 to $30 for a transfer from the US to Beijing .
The recipient can obtain the banking information from the branch office.
The transfer may take 3-7 workdays.
The recipient cannot check by ATM to find out if money has been deposited or sent - unless it is received in RMB. Most transfers from abroad will be in foreign currency, and will arrive in your account in foreign currency, and will not appear on an ATM - but will probably show up in e-banking and telephone banking statements.
Lost Card or Passbook
If your card is lost or stolen, you should report the theft/loss to your bank.
How to Close Your Account
You must go to the bank branch and sign a form. The bank teller will give you – in cash - the amount that remains in your account and a receipt indicating the closure of your account. If you have more than $10,000 or the equivalent in the account that you are closing, you may need to make an appointment.
