Send money to China from Spain
Sending money to China from Spain has its quirks: the yuan (CNY) is a currency with exchange controls and the recipient must be registered under their official name in Chinese characters exactly as it appears on their ID.
The Chinese community in Spain is among the most entrepreneurial: a large share runs shops, bazaars and restaurants in Madrid (Usera), Barcelona (Fondo) and every provincial capital. Although part of the flow goes through business channels, family remittances via agents remain common.
Options for sending money to China
In cash, from an agent location
The most used method: you bring cash to an agent (Western Union, Ria, MoneyGram), provide the recipient's details, and within minutes it is available for collection in China. Spain has thousands of agents, many in call shops and neighbourhood stores:
With an app or online service
Services such as Wise, Remitly, WorldRemit or the Western Union and Ria apps let you send from your phone by card or bank transfer. They tend to offer good exchange rates and first-transfer promotions, and the recipient can receive to an account or collect cash in China.
International bank transfer
An international transfer from your bank is usually the most expensive and slowest option to China (issuing fees, correspondent fees and exchange margin). For this corridor an agent or a specialised app is almost always better value.
How the recipient gets the money in China
The recipient can receive the money in their Chinese bank account (Bank of China, ICBC, ABC) or collect cash at partner branches. China caps the amount of foreign currency each person can receive or exchange per year, so large transfers may require extra documentation.
Tip: Write the recipient's name exactly as it appears on their Chinese ID (including the surname-first order). This is the corridor with the most failed collections due to name mismatches.
What you need to send
To send money you need a valid ID (passport, DNI or NIE) and the recipient's details. To collect money you will also be asked for the transaction number (MTCN / PIN). The amount is paid out in cash at the agent location.
How much it costs to send money
The real cost has two parts: the transfer fee and the margin on the exchange rate. Combined, the total cost typically sits between 2% and 6% of the amount, although it varies by operator, amount and payment method. Always compare how much the recipient will get in their currency, not just the advertised fee.
Frequently asked questions about sending money to China
How long does money take to arrive in China?
Cash: minutes. To a Chinese bank account, usually 1-2 business days due to currency controls.
In which currency is money collected in China?
Normally in yuan (CNY). Collection in US dollars is possible at some banks, subject to the recipient's annual foreign-currency limits.
Are there limits to receiving money in China?
Yes: each resident has an annual foreign-exchange limit (the equivalent of 50,000 USD). Normal family remittances are rarely affected, but large transfers may require justification.