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Buy Chinese yuan before you travel to China
Buy Chinese yuan online from US First Exchange and arrive in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou with cash in hand. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Yuan, renminbi and RMB: the same money
China's currency is officially called the renminbi (RMB), and its main unit is the yuan. Its currency code is CNY, and prices are marked with ¥ or 元. Hong Kong and Macau use their own currencies, so you will need different money there.
Why carry cash in China
Most payments in mainland China happen on phones through Alipay and WeChat Pay, and many visitors now link a foreign card to these apps. But apps can fail to verify a foreign card, phones run out of battery, and small vendors, rural areas and older taxi drivers may still prefer cash.
Carrying some yuan means you can always pay, even when an app does not cooperate. Use clean, undamaged notes, since sellers in China often refuse torn or marked bills.
Chinese yuan banknotes at a glance
Chinese banknotes are issued by the People's Bank of China. We source yuan as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| ¥1, ¥5 and ¥10 | Bus fares, snacks, bottled water |
| ¥20 | Street food, taxis, small shops |
| ¥50 | Meals, shopping |
| ¥100 | The most common large note; hotels and bigger purchases |
How to buy Chinese yuan online
- Choose your amount. Select Chinese yuan and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See how to get foreign currency delivered to your door or the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source yuan to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy yuan from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with yuan to spare? Sell Chinese yuan for US dollars.
Visiting Hong Kong too? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the yuan the same as the renminbi?
Yes. Renminbi (RMB) is the name of the currency, and the yuan is its main unit. CNY is the currency code.
Do I need cash in China if I have Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Mobile payments cover most purchases, but cash is a useful backup when an app will not verify your card, your phone dies, or a small vendor prefers cash.
Can I use Chinese yuan in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar and Macau uses the pataca, so plan for those separately.
How long does it take to get Chinese yuan delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy Chinese yuan with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return Chinese yuan?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.