Most common buying and selling form among Chinese is made through apps like Wechat and Alipay
The predominant form of payment in the trade of large cities in China is through 2 applications: Alipay and Wechat. Therefore, it is recommended that Brazilians interested in visiting the country lower at least one of the programs and register a credit card that allows international operations. Applications transactions work from reading QR Codes.
A few establishments, such as sophisticated hotels and restaurants, accept international credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa or American Express. In general, dollars or travel checks are not accepted, the so -called “traveler’s checks”, As a means of payment. The majority credit card in the country is the UnionPay flag.
See the step by step to register the card on Alipay:
- 1st Step – Download Alipay from the App Store or Google Play Store:
- 2nd Step – Create an account on Alipay (just put the mobile number and start the registration). The application starts in English, but then the language updates to Portuguese if this is the language used on mobile:
- Step 3 – Add the card: An option will appear to register your credit card in the application. If this option is not displayed, click on the lower right corner, the symbol written “mine” and with a person’s silhouette.
Click on “Bank CardsAnd then to add your card.
Follow the instructions and enter the data as card number, due date and CVC (Card Verification Code). When the card is accepted, it is already possible to use the application. There is the option to register more than one card.
It is important that the traveler previously warns his credit card operator about the period he will use his credit card in China and request the release of operations in order to avoid his block.
- 4th Step – Payment by scanner:
With the registered card, the payment is made with reading a QR Code. Just click on the “scan” symbol. Then the app will ask for the card password to make the transaction.
- Step 5 – Payment for reading your QR Code: In supermarkets and some stores, the dynamics are reversed and the cashier will enter the value of the purchase into a QR code reader and you should show your code to make the purchase. Just click on the 2nd symbol shown in the menu, to “receive and pay”, and a barcode and a QR code will appear, as well as the card that will be used in the transaction.
See the step by step to register the card in Wechat:
- 1st Step – Download Wechat from the App Store or Google Play Store:
- 2nd Step – Create a Wechat account (just put the mobile number and start the registration). The application has the language in Portuguese.
- 3rd Step – Click the symbol in the lower right corner with the silhouette of a face written “I”.
- 4th Step – Click on “Payment and Service”.
- Step 5 – Click on the “wallet” in the upper right corner:
- Step 6 – Click the option with the blue card symbol and written “Bank Cards”.
- 7th Step – Register your card in “Add a Bank Card”:
- 8th step – QR Code: To make a payment click on “Money” in the same place where the “Wallet” option appears, and a barcode and a QR Code will appear. This is the code that will be used to make the transaction. You can also see which credit card is being used in the operation.
Rates
Both Alipay and WeChat charge a 3% rate of operations with international cards in China. Other fees of your bank such as IOF (Financial Operations Tax) may also be charged. It is possible to register card exemption cards such as Wise, Revolution or Nomad, which avoid the rate in some cases.
One way not to pay fee is to make the payment in cash. Many establishments such as small shops, markets and supermarkets in China accept cash payment. Applications do not charge Chinese card fees.
