Payment Methods in China: What Western Brands Must Know to Sell Successfully

1. The Reign of Mobile Wallets

In China, over 85% of all transactions—online and offline—are processed through mobile wallets, with Alipay and WeChat Pay dominating the scene.

Alipay, owned by Ant Group (Alibaba), is deeply integrated into the Tmall, Taobao, and Ele.me ecosystems.

WeChat Pay, built into the WeChat super-app, connects payment with social communication, official brand accounts, Mini Programs, and customer service.

Chinese consumers expect instant, seamless, and secure payments via these wallets. If your e-commerce or retail strategy doesn’t support them, you’re effectively out of the game.

2. UnionPay & Credit Cards: Still Relevant?

While UnionPay remains the default national bank card system, its role in e-commerce is secondary to mobile wallets. Most consumers link their UnionPay cards to their Alipay or WeChat Pay accounts.

International credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are rarely used by local consumers and typically only accepted by cross-border e-commerce platforms, such as Tmall Global or JD Worldwide. For brands selling domestically, optimizing for local payment methods is non-negotiable.

3. Cross-border Transactions: Key Considerations

For foreign brands entering China via cross-border e-commerce, platforms like Tmall Global or Douyin Cross-border often handle payment logistics, converting foreign currencies into RMB and integrating familiar payment options for Chinese consumers.

But beware: even in cross-border scenarios, Alipay and WeChat Pay are still preferred. These platforms provide smoother checkout experiences and are more trusted by consumers.

4. The Rise of BNPL, Mini-Programs, and Social Commerce

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services like Huabei (from Alipay) have gained traction among younger consumers. Additionally, WeChat Mini Programs enable seamless in-app shopping and payment in a single interface, minimizing checkout friction.

Social commerce platforms like Xiaohongshu and Douyin now offer integrated payments, allowing consumers to discover, engage, and buy all within one ecosystem—further reducing the relevance of traditional web-based shopping carts.

If you plan to sell in China, understanding local payment methods is not a detail—it’s mission-critical. Over the past decade, China has undergone a fintech revolution, leapfrogging credit cards entirely and becoming the most cashless society in the world.

Today, success in Chinese e-commerce depends heavily on your ability to integrate the right digital wallets and payment ecosystems.

In China, payment isn’t just a transaction—it’s part of the customer experience.

Western brands that treat it as a technical detail risk losing trust and conversions. Whether you’re launching on a cross-border platform or building a local presence, ensure your payments infrastructure is mobile-first, seamless, and deeply integrated with China’s super-apps.