Alipay transfer limits - US guide [2025]

Unverified foreign Alipay users can send up to 500 USD at once or 2,000 USD per year.

However, if you choose to go through Alipay’s ID verification process, you may be able to increase your limit to 5,000 USD per transaction or 50,000 USD per year.²

What is the Alipay limit per day?

Your Alipay account will typically come with an annual and daily transfer limit. This determines how much you can send both per transaction and overall.

You may be able to send up to 20,000 CNY per day to another Alipay account. You can send up to 50,000 CNY per day to a bank account linked to Alipay.¹

Alipay international transfer limits

If you’re in the US, using Alipay for international transfers can be a little complicated.

You should be able to use the app in China or to pay at Chinese businesses. Some users can also connect Alipay to a Chinese bank account or send money to other Alipay accounts.

However, you may not be able to make an international wire transfer or move funds between US bank accounts.

If you’ve linked a Chinese bank account, you should be able to access the same Alipay transfer limits as a Chinese user. However, international bank cards may face different restrictions, so it’s important to check before you pay.

Foreigners can also use TourCard to access Alipay. This is a partner app that lets you open a temporary prepaid Chinese bank account for 180 days.

You can use TourCard as an intermediary to add money to your Alipay account. However, you can only add up to 10,000 CNY to your TourCard account.²

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How can you check your Alipay transfer limits?

You should be able to check your Alipay limits via the digital app. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Alipay app and click “My”

Step 2: Click “Settings” and select “My Customer Service”

Step 3: Click “What is the daily limit for transferring from Alipay to Alipay?”

You can also use the app to work out how much you can send via a linked bank account, or to view your card transaction spending limits.³

Can you increase your transfer limits at Alipay?

In some cases, you may be able to increase your Alipay daily spending limit. If your recipient can provide supporting documentation for the transaction, for example, Alipay may give you a larger allowance.

Alipay uses soft and hard wire transfer limits. You may be able to increase soft Alipay transaction limits, whereas hard limits are final.¹

What are your online transfer limits with Alipay?

Alipay is designed for online wire transfers, but you can also use the app in-store at Chinese merchants.

You’ll find that different transactions have different limits. For example, if you want to pay for family living expenses, send money to yourself, or make salary payments, you can make up to 15 transactions per month.

If you want to buy goods or services from Chinese businesses, there’s no monthly transaction limit online or in store.¹

Every account’s transfer limit will be different, especially for foreigners, so make sure to check your limits in the Alipay app.

You’ll also need to look into whether your bank has any transfer limits. You can link your bank account or card to your Alipay wallet, but some banks may add their own limits for payments via the platform.

What are Alipay’s transfer fees and charges?

Alipay’s transfer fees may depend on your account type and how you want to spend your money. Some linked bank accounts may charge more than others.

For example, East West Bank® charges a 15 USD transfer fee for Alipay transactions, but you won’t pay to receive Alipay transfers.⁴

Alipay may also add a 3% service fee to international credit card payments via the app. This is the case for providers like MasterCard® and Visa®.⁵

Things to keep in mind when transferring high amounts

If you want to transfer a large amount of money in the US or further afield, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Choose a secure payment method — wire transfers are a popular choice
• Ask for additional documentation from your recipient
• Be aware of online scams and fraud
• Carefully check your recipient’s details

Alipay uses a few key security measures to protect your money. For example, your transactions are covered by advanced encryption and real-time security monitoring.⁶

Using Alipay in the US can be a complicated process. You’ll need to think about Alipay’s transaction limits and fees for foreigners — and being a US citizen can affect how much you can send via the app.

You’ll also need to think about how much it costs to use Alipay for global transfers and card payments. Remember to explore your options before choosing the right digital wallet for you.

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Sources

1. Top Remit - Send money to China with Alipay
2. Wild China - Navigating China’s digital frontier: A guide to using Alipay in 2025
3. PHP - Where can I check the Alipay transfer limit?
4. East West Bank - Alipay transfers
5. Komoju - Alipay: Everything you need to know as a merchant in 2025
6. Niche Sources - Is Alipay safe in 2024? Should you go with this payment option?