Trade Route GuidePayments guides for importers
How to pay a Chinese supplier safely and cheaply: banks, Wise, Airwallex and Payoneer, from the Gulf, North Africa, Europe and the US.
Start with this guide
All payments guides
Airwallex Review for Importers 2026: Fees, Limits, China
Airwallex fees, limits and eligibility for importers paying Chinese suppliers in CNY or USD.
PaymentsLetter of Credit for China Imports: Costs vs T/T (2026)
How an LC works step by step, what three banks really charge, and LC vs T/T 30/70 priced on one USD 60,000.00 order.
PaymentsPay a Chinese Supplier from Egypt: ACI, Banks & FX 2026
ACID, CargoX, real Egyptian bank tariffs and three worked examples: the legal way to pay a Chinese supplier from Egypt.
PaymentsPay Chinese Supplier from Europe: EU & UK Guide 2026
SEPA vs SWIFT, the right payout currency and Wise/Airwallex/Revolut availability, priced on two real-size orders from the EU and UK.
PaymentsPay Chinese Supplier from Morocco: 2026 Guide
The MAD 200,000.00 line, PortNet domiciliation and IGOC limits explained, with two costed orders for Moroccan importers paying China.
PaymentsPay a Chinese Supplier from Saudi Arabia: 2026 Guide
Which account to pay from, Saudi bank SWIFT fees, SAMA rules, and how to time the balance around SABER and FASAH.
PaymentsPay a Chinese Supplier from the UAE: Banks vs Wise (2026)
UAE bank wires vs Wise vs Airwallex for paying China, with a landed-cost example to Jebel Ali.
PaymentsPay Chinese Supplier from USA: 2026 Fees & Tariffs
ACH vs wire, bank wire fees, Wise and Airwallex CNY payouts and card break-evens for US importers, with tariffs in one minute.
About these guides
Paying a factory in China is where many importers lose money without noticing. The fee on the transfer is the small part. The exchange-rate margin, intermediary bank charges and a rejected payment that has to be resent usually cost more.
These guides start from where your company is registered, because that decides which services you can use. A company in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Morocco does not have the same options as one in the UK, the EU or the US. Each country guide shows the routes that work today, the documents your bank will ask for, and worked examples with the full cost.
Start with the overview of Wise, Payoneer and Airwallex if you are new. Then open the guide for your country, and check the supplier before you send the deposit.
Common questions
Should I pay a Chinese supplier in USD or CNY?
It depends on your bank and the supplier. Paying in CNY can avoid a second conversion in China, but only some services can send CNY from your country. Each country guide explains which option works where you are.
What is the safest way to pay a new supplier?
Verify the company first, pay only to a business account in the exact company name on the contract, and split the payment into a deposit and a balance after inspection.
Other topics: SuppliersQualityShippingCompany setup