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Posts: 97

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Q: Can I use my international credit/debit card in China?

12 years 43 weeks ago in  Business & Jobs - China

 
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Posts: 14

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The first step is to tell your bank you're going to China. If you don't do this, chances are they'll lock your card when it suddenly shows up trying to withdraw money from a Chinese ATM. Chinese bank cards typically have 6-digit PIN numbers, not 4, and sometimes this can cause a problem. Make sure you have the customer service number for your bank on hand just in case you run into problems. If you’re American and happened to have a Bank of America account, you can withdraw from China Construction Bank ATMs with no fee.

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12 years 43 weeks ago
 
Posts: 16

Governor

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I'm using my visa (issued in North America) in China. I use it for hotel booking. No problem for that, even for a budget hotel such as Home Inn.

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12 years 41 weeks ago
 
Posts: 259

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you cant use it everywhere, but chances are high that big shops/restaurants/hotels will accept it. Home Inn Hotels once told me that they don't accept them, C&A said the same, after I told them to at least try it, suddenly it worked... Smaller local stores who accept cards, usually dont accept international cards though...

 

Credit and Debit cards work fine one ATM though, but consider the high fees before withdrawing money...

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11 years 38 weeks ago
 
Posts: 703

Shifu

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I am from Canada, and yes, my credit card and debit card work at most places that have the machine. But I usually just use cash.

Also, no problem using your cards at an ATM at most Chinese banks. I usually go to ICBC or Bank of China and they have English prompts.

PS, if you are bringing cash into China to exchange: don't change at the airport as the rates are not good, and also make sure you bring notes that are in great condition or they may refuse them.

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11 years 36 weeks ago
 
Posts: 1201

Shifu

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Use it.........it works

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11 years 36 weeks ago
 
Posts: 88

Governor

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You can use it to take out cash but there are many many things that you cannot use it for: small restaurants, shopping (you can use it at malls..sometimes), bars (depends), travel agents, convenience stores...also it depends on what city you are in, way more places to use it in Beijing/Shanghai than a second-tier city. It will definitely work to take cash out and for international chain stories.

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11 years 36 weeks ago
 
Posts: 3

Governor

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for sure it works here in China. but not in the small shops or restaurants. you can take cash from the bank and can use it directly in the 4 star hotels. big shopping mall as well.

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11 years 36 weeks ago
 
Posts: 583

Shifu

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yes..I am using my Visa Debit card here..but just for withdrawal of money from ATMs..has not done shopping so far

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11 years 36 weeks ago
 
Posts: 443

Shifu

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It's just like the rest of the world, most places will accept it. Just have to look at the sign on the window, if it says VISA/MASTERCARD, you should be fine. There may be an issue depending on what bank you have and what bank they use for processing but 99% of the time should be no problem.

 

Just try to get your cash from main banks such as Bank of China / Agricultural Bank of China / Merchants Bank of China. They have all worked for me in the past.

 

Finally, do make sure you tell your bank you're going to use the card in China and from what dates, I didn't and had no problem for about 6 months then they locked my card for irregular purchases, called them, told them I am in China and they unlocked it again.

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11 years 20 weeks ago
 
Posts: 827

Shifu

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yep

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7 years 10 weeks ago
 
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