Does WeChat Pay HK work in China?

If you find yourself asking, “Does Wechat Pay HK work in China?” You’re not alone.

Many WeChat Pay HK users also want to explore this option, especially those who constantly move between mainland China and Hong Kong. While Mainland China and Hong Kong are so close, they have two very different financial backgrounds. Payment works in Hong Kong might not be 100% available in mainland China. The uncertainty and complexity of using payment like WeChat Pay HK in the mainland might stop you.

Don’t worry! You’ve come to the right place: This article will be your comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about WeChat Pay HK's functionality in China. This way, you can decide which services are the best for you!

If you are looking for some alternatives, consider Wise for cross-border transfer.

Can WeChat Pay HK be used in China?

Yes, WeChat Pay HK can be used in mainland China, but the answer is not that simple.

Basically, WeChat Pay HK works well in China. At participating merchants in mainland China where WeChat Pay HK is accepted, present your HK wallet QR code to pay. You can visit these merchants who accept WeChat HK in mainland China.

The best thing about using WeChat Pay HK in Mainland China is that you don’t need to exchange money from HKD to CNY at all. The system will automatically convert your currency every time you show your QR code to pay. You might see that you are paying in HKD, but the merchants in China are actually receiving CNY. This seamless conversion might save you time and trouble if you’re often on the move between mainland China and Hong Kong.

While using WeChat Pay HK in China might be a pretty convenient choice, there are certain limitations coming along as well.

Limitations of WeChat Pay HK in China

The mainland version of WeChat Pay, also known as Weixin Pay, is already a household name among digital wallet users in China. Along with Alipay, Weixin Pay remains one of the most popular and trusted payment platforms across the country.

WeChat Pay HK is the localized version, catered specifically for users in Hong Kong. Both WeChat Pay HK and WeChat Pay mainland can be opened with just a WeChat account. That’s why many users mistakenly believe their HK account works identically to a mainland one. Using WeChat Pay HK in China isn’t guaranteed in all cases..

Wechat Pay HK is widely accepted in tourist-heavy areas. But you might have trouble using WeChat Pay HK to pay for those smaller or local businesses in China. This also applies to online shopping. Online shopping with WeChat Pay HK in China is also limited to only big brands such as Taobao, Pinduoduo, and JD.

Using WeChat Pay HK in China is also subject to a spending limits¹:

• Unverified but card-linked users: 10,000 HKD/transaction and 25,000 HKD/year
• Bank-transfer–verified users: 20,000 HKD/transaction and 100,000 HKD/year
• Face-verification users: 38,000 HKD/transaction and 400,000 HKD/year

It is worth noting that even if you shop at approved merchants within the limits, your WeChat Pay HK transactions may still be declined in mainland China. This usually happens when your account has not completed sufficient cross-border verification or when it fails real-time regulatory compliance checks during the transaction.

Exchange rates and fees of WeChat Pay HK in China

Another limitation you might want to know is the fees of using WeChat Pay HK in China.

Whenever you pay with WeChat Pay HK in China, the system will automatically convert your money into CNY. Your handling fees will be waived if you pay via account balance or linked bank account. If you pay with a linked credit card,

There is an annual fee exemption limit of HK$100,000 for credit card payments. For the majority of cards (e.g., Visa/Mastercard, AEON Visa/Mastercard), any amount exceeding the HK$100,000 annual exemption will incur a 2% handling fee. Certain transactions, such as transfers, bill payments, transportation QR code payments, and remittances, are not eligible for this fee exemption, regardless of the limit.

WeChat Pay HK displays live exchange rates on the app – and their rate is also very competitive. But it is always best practice to compare rates among different providers.

The reason is that switching from one currency to another will lose you some value! If you are looking for another way around to save more on the exchange rate, you should always compare the exchange rate on offer against the mid-market exchange rate.

Step-by-Step: How WeChat Pay HK works in mainland China

This is the general process to pay with WeChat Pay HK in Mainland China. Yet it is not always guaranteed due to the limitations mentioned above.

Step 1: Set up and verify your WeChat Pay HK wallet:

To use WeChat Pay HK in China, you will need to properly verify your account or bind your credit card/bank account under your own name first:

• To bind your card: click “Bank Card” on the Wallet homepage and follow the prompt
• To complete identity verification: click “Payment Management” in the upper right corner of the Wallet

Step 2: Present WeChat Pay HK QR code

When you are at the selected merchants, simply show your WeChat Pay HK QR code. The cashier will scan the payment code for you.

Step 3: Check and confirm payment

The app will display the HKD amount and the converted CNY amount on the screen. Double-check to ensure everything is correct then confirm the payment.

Step 4: Transaction complete

Your transaction is finished. The merchants should receive the payment in CNY instantly.

It might sound pretty convenient, but remember that this is the ideal scenario for WeChat Pay HK in China. Always be aware of the limitations of using WeChat Pay HK in China. So sometimes it won’t work even if you follow the book due to the limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use my HK WeChat Pay balance directly in mainland China everywhere?

It is not a simple Yes.

You can use WeChat Pay HK in some locations accepting Weixin Pay. But it is not universally accepted, even in places that accept Weixin Pay. If you want to pay for daily expenditure in China, you should use the mainland WeChat Pay instead.

What is the safest way to get CNY into mainland China from Hong Kong?

If you constantly move between mainland China and Hong Kong, you can consider trusted international money transfer alternatives like Wise.

There you have it: your comprehensive guide to using WeChat Pay HK in mainland China. While it is certainly possible to use WeChat Pay HK for payments in China, there are still several limitations to keep in mind, such as restricted merchant acceptance, spending caps, and potential exchange-rate markups.

If you plan to pay for daily expenses in China, switching to the mainland WeChat Pay wallet is generally the more convenient and reliable option.

However, for expats living and working in mainland China, your biggest challenge often isn't spending locally, but safely remitting your earnings out of the country. Wise offers a solution for foreign nationals to transfer their salary earned in mainland China to an overseas bank account.

For a reliable, transparent, and cost-effective way to convert your hard-earned CNY to major currencies without relying on physical bank visits, Wise is the financial solution for expatriates. Open a Wise account today to enjoy cross-border transfers at mid-market rates.

Learn more about Wise

Please also be informed that Wise in China is operating under a local partner’s license.