How to pay suppliers in China from Singapore [2026]
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Take a look at the guide to paying Chinese suppliers from Singapore and how WorldFirst helps you pay in CNH or USD
Key takeaways
- The main ways to pay Chinese suppliers from Singapore include international bank transfers, escrow services on B2B marketplaces, multi-currency accounts and business cards.
- Each method has different trade-offs in speed, cost and supplier acceptance.
- You don’t need a Chinese bank account to pay suppliers in China — most Singapore businesses don’t open one.
- 1688.com doesn’t accept international cards. World Pay, powered by WorldFirst, is the only authorised international payment provider for 1688.com.
- A multi-currency account such as the World Account lets you hold CNH, USD and SGD in one place and pay suppliers in their preferred currency.
If you’re sourcing from suppliers in China, the payment method you choose matters as much as the price you negotiate. FX markups, intermediary fees, and slow transfer times don’t show up on the quotations or invoices, but they decide how much you actually end up paying to source products.
Without competitive FX rates and the ability to time cross-border payments, your final landed costs will change every time you send supplier payments, which makes margins harder to calculate and protect.
In this guide, we take a look at the top ways Singapore businesses can pay Chinese suppliers.
Ways to pay suppliers in China from Singapore
There’s no single “best” payment method — the right choice depends on your transaction size, frequency and the supplier’s preferences.
International bank transfers (SWIFT)
You instruct your Singapore bank to send a payment in SGD, USD or CNH to your supplier’s Chinese bank account.
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Escrow through B2B marketplaces
B2B marketplaces like Alibaba.com offer escrow services where your payment is held by the platform until you confirm the goods have been received in acceptable condition.
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Multi-currency accounts
A multi-currency account lets you hold balances in several currencies, including USD and CNH — without opening separate accounts at multiple banks.
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Pay suppliers in China with WorldFirst
WorldFirst is a payments provider that helps businesses manage cross-border payments.
The World Account is a multi-currency account that lets businesses send, receive, and hold funds in 15+ major currencies including CNH, USD, GBP, EUR, SGD and AUD, with local currency account details for receiving payments.
Here’s how the World Account helps make payments
Pay suppliers like a local, in CNY, CNH, or USD: You can send payments directly into your supplier’s business or personal bank account in China, in their preferred currency
Pay 1688 suppliers in a few clicks: WorldFirst is the only authorised international payment provider for 1688.com, which is the main wholesale platform for sourcing in China but doesn’t accept international cards or most foreign payment methods. With World Pay, you can pay 1688 suppliers directly from your WorldFirst balance, across more than 10,000 product categories and millions of verified suppliers.
Make same day payments: Payments into China through WorldFirst typically arrive within hours instead of the multi-day window of a SWIFT transfer (subject to cut-off times). If your supplier also has a World Account, payments can settle in seconds at no cost.
Convert at competitive, real-time FX rates: You can convert SGD to CNH online 24/7, at competitive exchange rates. For larger or recurring orders, forward contracts let you lock in a rate for up to 24 months, and firm orders automatically convert when the market hits your target rate.
Source and pay in one place with WorldTrade. WorldTrade lets you place orders, track shipment status, and protect transactions through one platform, alongside 1 million-plus verified suppliers globally.
Spend with the World Card: You can issue up to 20 World Cards, powered by Mastercard, supporting transactions in 150+ currencies. When you pay in any of the 15 currencies you already hold a balance in, there are no FX fees on the transaction, and eligible card spend earns cashback (T&Cs apply).
Power your global growth with one account
Get local currency accounts, fast payments and competitive FX – all in one place.
FAQs
Can I pay Chinese suppliers in SGD?
Most Chinese suppliers prefer to receive payment in CNH or USD rather than SGD, as their domestic banking handles those currencies more easily. You can either make an international payment transfer or fund a multi-currency account in SGD and convert to CNH or USD to pay your supplier.
Do I need a Chinese bank account to pay Chinese suppliers from Singapore?
No. Singapore businesses can pay Chinese suppliers without opening a domestic Chinese bank account, using international bank transfers or multi-currency accounts that support CNH.
What's the best way to pay 1688.com suppliers from Singapore?
1688.com does not support international card payments. The official cross-border payment route is World Pay, powered by WorldFirst, which is the only authorised international payment provider for 1688.com. It lets you pay in CNH directly from your World Account.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.
Joan Poon leads marketing across Southeast Asia at WorldFirst, driving growth and brand leadership in key markets including Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Joan Poon
Author
Head of Marketing SEA, WorldFirst Singapore
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