Alipay international wire transfer: Fees, limits, and rates

Alipay is a popular Chinese digital payment platform that serves over a billion users worldwide.¹ It's similar to PayPal or Venmo in the US, but with even more features.

For Americans, Alipay can be a good way to pay for goods from Chinese merchants, transfer money to friends or family in China, and access Chinese services that don't accept US payment methods.

While Alipay is expanding globally, its services remain somewhat limited for US users who need to send money internationally. The platform heavily focuses on transactions connected to China, not general global transfers.

If you need regular international money transfers, we’ll also introduce you to Wise. Send and receive your money across the world with just the touch of a button. Let’s dive in.

Can I use Alipay in the US?

Yes, you can use Alipay in the US, but with pretty strict limitations.

As a US user, you can download the app and create an account to make payments to Chinese merchants, pay for services while traveling in China, and send money to people with Chinese Alipay accounts.

You may be able to make an international money transfer to China, but not to other countries. Essentially, the app mostly serves as a bridge for US-China transactions.

Can I make an international wire transfer with Alipay?

For US users, Alipay doesn't function as a traditional international wire transfer service.

You can only send money to people with Alipay accounts, and these transfers work best when sending money to China.

If you need to send money from the US to someone in China who uses Alipay, you can do this directly through the app.

For transfers to other countries or to bank accounts that aren't connected to Alipay, you'll need to use a different service or integrate Alipay with a provider like Wise.

Alipay international wire transfer fee

The fees for international transfers with Alipay aren't straightforward. They typically depend on the remittance platform or banking partner you're using with Alipay.

For example, if you're using East West Bank to send money through Alipay, you'll pay 15 USD per transfer.²

Or, if you're making purchases on Chinese platforms like Taobao or Tmall using Alipay with an international credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or JCB), Alipay charges a 3% service fee on top of your purchase.³

In other words, it might be difficult to have a full understanding of Alipay international fees until you initiate a specific transaction. How much you'll pay will likely depend on which bank or partner service you're using and the payment method you're using.

Alipay exchange rates

The exchange rate determines how much foreign currency your US dollars will buy when you send an international money transfer.

Like most payment platforms, Alipay makes money by adding a markup to the exchange rate.⁴ This means you'll get slightly less foreign currency than you would at the mid-market rate (the real exchange rate you see on Google).

International transfers also often involve an intermediary bank that handles the currency conversion. These intermediary banks also apply their conversion rates with built-in margins.

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How do you make an Alipay international wire transfer?

Making an international wire transfer with Alipay is possible but limited for US users. The process typically works like this:

1. Set up and verify your Alipay account with proper identification
2. Link a payment method (credit card or bank account)
3. Select the international transfer option in the app
4. Enter the recipient's Alipay ID or bank account information
5. Specify the amount and currency
6. Review the fees and exchange rate
7. Confirm and complete the transfer

If you're wondering how to use Alipay as a foreigner, remember that the platform primarily facilitates transfers to and from China. It's unlikely that money transfers to other countries or recipients without Alipay will be possible.

What information do I need to make an international wire transfer?

You'll typically need the following information to send an international wire transfer:

• Recipient name
• Recipient address
• Bank name
• Bank address
• Account number
• SWIFT code
• Routing number

Sometimes, you may also need to explain the purpose of the payment for compliance reasons. Specifically for Alipay, you will also need your recipient's Alipay ID.

How long does an international wire transfer with Alipay take?

International wire transfers typically take 3 to 5 business days, but Alipay transfers to accounts in China can be much faster.

For example, East West Bank states that if your recipient has a designated bank account for receiving international transfers, the transaction will only take a few minutes.²

At the same time, if your recipient doesn't have a designated linked account or if your transfer has to go through extra security checks, it can take 4 days or longer.²

What is the wire transfer limit for Alipay?

You can check your transfer limits in the Alipay app.

Your Alipay transfer limit will likely depend on your verification level, whether you're using the international or Chinese version of the platform, and how you're sending money.

You also need to take into account any limits imposed by partner banks or services.

Alipay contact information

Getting in touch with Alipay from the US can be challenging. Your best option is to use the help section within the Alipay app, but there are also other contact methods available.

US customers of AUS Merchant Services can contact Alipay by:⁵

• Email: consumerassistance@service.alipay.com
• Mail: Compliance Department, AUS Merchant Services, Inc. 525 Almanor Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94085-3542
• Phone: 1-800-981-3590 (Monday-Friday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm PST; closed during major holidays)

The international version of Alipay — Alipay+ — also has a contact form you can fill out.

Alipay is a very popular Chinese platform, but its international money transfer features are quite limited for US users. You can make transfers to people with Alipay accounts, but it's not the best solution for general international money transfers.

For flexible international transfers, consider using Wise, which can integrate with Alipay for transfers to China or function independently for sending money to other countries. Wise offers transparent fees and no exchange rate markups.

Get started with Wise

Sources

1. Wikipedia - Alipay
2. East West Bank - Alipay transfers
3. KOMOJU - Alipay
4. Alipay+ - Pay with Alipay in the Chinese mainland
5. Global Alipay - US Customer Service Information