How to send money to someone in China?

Omgoozle · #1 04-03-2014

Hi -

I'm trying to work with a Chinese seller to import some stuff here, but I'm running into an issue with payment.

How do you guys pay your Chinese sellers? We tried taobao's payment gateway, and that's a no-go and resulted in both our TaoBao accounts being shut down for 6 months.

Seems like getting money into China is a real PITA. Any help or suggestions?

JamesNorth101 · #2 04-03-2014

PayPal, Skrill or one of the other escrow services about.

Do not send it via Western Union unless you really really trust the seller.

vogeltron · #3 04-04-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

PayPal, Skrill or one of the other escrow services about.

Do not send it via Western Union unless you really really trust the seller.

In my experience. I will say I have imported anything in 3-4 years. But you basically had to send payments WU or Moneygram. Otherwise get charged up the ying yang for your products. It was one of those you have to be willing to make a small order and take the risk to create good faith.

Once you establish a relationship with the seller then usually you are good to go in my experience. To each their own. Like eBay/PP fraud us sellers deal with. You better be damn sure Chinese suppliers worry about the same thing.

rsot · #4 04-04-2014

It is about good faith - many times you will be asked to use WU or Moneygram...use your judgement

GreenBean · #5 04-04-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omgoozle

Hi -

I'm trying to work with a Chinese seller to import some stuff here, but I'm running into an issue with payment.

How do you guys pay your Chinese sellers? We tried taobao's payment gateway, and that's a no-go and resulted in both our TaoBao accounts being shut down for 6 months.

Seems like getting money into China is a real PITA. Any help or suggestions?

Check if the seller uses Alibaba or aliexpress.

Would be rare for them to be confined to one ecommerce site.

bjammin · #6 04-04-2014

I have been sending money WU to my vendor for awhile now. It is always scary at first because once you send it it is gone. If you send western union, approach it like going to a casino: don't bring more than you are willing to lose.

yankee · #7 04-04-2014

Bank transfer is best option after a trusted relationship is created.
I also send PP to many of my smaller vendors.

rsot · #8 04-04-2014

If you can use your credit card in some way - that's the best option due to fraud protection.

bluegrass1 · #9 07-03-2016

Just wondering the cheapest way to send money to china if it is a trusted seller?
WU seems to be around 14 per 500
i used credit card and got a international POS fee of 3% so still 15 per 500
any cheaper way to send money ?? I read wiring the money cost like 10%

JamesNorth101 · #10 07-03-2016

There will be other cheaper options about like transferwise if you are able to use that but it would only be a few $ cheaper

jojo2012 · #11 07-03-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegrass1

Just wondering the cheapest way to send money to china if it is a trusted seller?
WU seems to be around 14 per 500
i used credit card and got a international POS fee of 3% so still 15 per 500
any cheaper way to send money ?? I read wiring the money cost like 10%

I have a capitol one, credit one & a chase credit card . Neither of these are charged an international fee. My bank of america does charge.

Play · #12 07-03-2016

Does your supplier accept Bitcoin? Of course you would need to trust them as much as something like western union, but fees should be a lot less.

newjerseymax · #13 07-03-2016

Personally I would never send money to China without some kind of escrow or Credit Card purchase... Even with long time relationships I've seen things go wrong.

Futuremogul888 · #14 07-03-2016

I agree with NJmax, even with long time suppliers every now and then I get a bad batch or they switch something up on me without my permission. Then they try to apply Chinese business logic in trying to rectify the situation which does not fly with me. All you have to protect yourself is chargeback or escrow mediator.

I would send the money through Dhgate (Dhpay) or Alibaba/Aliexpress ( Alipay) with a credit card. Also make them eat the 5%. Do not let them charge you for that as it is universally a cost of doing business.

bluegrass1 · #15 07-03-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Futuremogul888

I agree with NJmax, even with long time suppliers every now and then I get a bad batch or they switch something up on me without my permission. Then they try to apply Chinese business logic in trying to rectify the situation which does not fly with me. All you have to protect yourself is chargeback or escrow mediator.

I would send the money through Dhgate (Dhpay) or Alibaba/Aliexpress ( Alipay) with a credit card. Also make them eat the 5%. Do not let them charge you for that as it is universally a cost of doing business.

What 5% u talking about ?

bluegrass1 · #16 07-04-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluegrass1

What 5% u talking about ?

O the 3% POS fee i guess

Kajunrook · #17 07-05-2016

I only use paypal. If they don't take I do not do business with them. Most will add a paypal account to get your business.

newjerseymax · #18 07-05-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajunrook

I only use paypal. If they don't take I do not do business with them. Most will add a paypal account to get your business.

If you have an account soley for paying china sellers this is ok. Just don't do it with your selling account.

Kajunrook · #19 07-07-2016

Why not use paypal with my selling account. Been doing it for years with no problem.?

Play · #20 07-07-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kajunrook

Why not use paypal with my selling account. Been doing it for years with no problem.?

PayPal dont like it, specifically payments going to China. They interpret that to be your selling phakes.

rsot · #21 07-07-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Play

PayPal dont like it, specifically payments going to China. They interpret that to be your selling phakes.

Well, phakes aside, Paypal can also see it as dropshipping - something which they don't like either. Smarter to keep selling and buying SEPARATE.

joesshooze · #22 07-07-2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

PayPal, Skrill or one of the other escrow services about.

Do not send it via Western Union unless you really really trust the seller.

James is so right about WU. I send money every 2 weeks but totally trust my manufacturer. Been doing business for 5 years. Before this one I got taken for a few times. Good luck.