How can merchants collect payments from customers in China?

When Ms. Wang, a senior executive in Shanghai, attempted to purchase €15,000 worth of high-end Italian furniture for her new penthouse, she abandoned her cart three times. Ultimately, she purchased a different set from a local Shanghai boutique. 

The barrier wasn’t the price or product, but the payment experience. The European retailer only accepted standard credit cards with a €5,000 limit and required manual international bank transfers.

The friction at checkout caused Ms. Wang to have second thoughts about the entire purchase. This is the reality for many European retailers: when standard credit card limits and complex bank transfers trigger foreign exchange hurdles, Chinese HNWIs (high-net-worth-individuals simply walk away. 

Chinese consumers do not lack purchasing power, they lack a payment experience that aligns with China’s unique regulatory environment.

In this article, we will identify the key reasons behind the failure of large payment for European e-commerce businesses, break down the latest 2026 Chinese cross-border payment regulations, and provide you with a comprehensive comparison of high-value payment methods. Finally, we will share insights and solutions from Silkpay to help you capture this massive market

Why do large transactions from Chinese customers fail?

Before implementing payment solutions, merchants must understand China's new foreign exchange control regulations in 2026. These regulations directly impact your order conversion rates and cash flow.

Annual foreign exchange quota: The hardceiling of $50,000

Chinese citizens are subject to a Convenience Quota (annual purchase limit) of $50,000 USD per person. Although this threshold remains the same in 2026, the regulatory framework has seen a significant shift:

• Calendar year-based tracking:

The quota is strictly calculated based on the calendar year (January 1 to December 31), rather than a rolling 12-month.

• Unified quota pool:

All cross-border activities including e-commerce purchases, overseas tuition, and travel expenses share the same aggregate quota.

• Automated Cross-platform aggregation:

Starting in 2026, banking systems will automatically consolidate an individual’s cross-border transactions across all financial platforms, effectively eliminating the possibility of bypassing limits through multiple accounts (commonly known as "account splitting").

AML compliance: stringent oversight on €10,000+ transactions

China has intensified its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) surveillance for high-value cross-border transactions. Any single transaction exceeding €10,000 automatically triggers Enhanced Due Diligence protocols.

• Source of funds verification:

Consumers are required to provide verifiable proof of the source of funds, this may include salary statements, investment returns, or documentation of asset sales.

• UBO disclosure requirements:

New regulations mandate the disclosure of the Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO). For B2B or intermediary transactions, the individual who will use or benefit from the goods must be identified.

• Behavioral pattern analysis:

Advanced banking algorithms now automatically flag atypical purchasing behavior, such as a high-value luxury purchase made by a first-time user or an account with no prior cross-border history.

The most common methods to accept Chinese payments

Currently, common and dominant payment methods for Chinese clients are: 

• Alipay+:

Consist of a network of 1.5 billion digital wallet users across Asia. It removes payment barriers and opens your checkout to the world’s most active mobile shoppers.

• WeChat Pay:

A massive base of over 1.3 billion potential customers. It allows European e-merchants to access the immense purchasing power of the Chinese digital ecosystem.

• UnionPay:

Benefit from the world’s largest card scheme with over 9.4 billion cards in circulation. This service ensures that global shoppers find their most trusted payment method on your website.

For European e-commerce merchants, UnionPay should be the primary channel for luxury and high-end goods, while Alipay+ and WeChat Pay remain the gold standard for fashion retail and FMCG(fast moving customer goods).

There is no one solution that can fit all types of business, European retailers should implement a multiple payment mix of 2–3 methods, tailored to specific price points.

The €8,000 Pre-Verification System (PVS)

Effective as of January 2026, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) has launched the "Cross-Border Pre-Verification System" (PVS). This represents the most significant change to the regulatory landscape in years:

• Merchant scoring mechanism:

The system implements a Risk-Based Scoring model, where a merchant’s historical compliance record accounts for 35% of the total score weighting.

• Real-time status tracking:

Progress can be monitored via the "Cross-border Payment Connect" WeChat Mini-Program, allowing for transparent logistics and payment planning.

Silkpay expert ‘s advice and solutions

Here is how our services directly address your challenges:

• Alipay:

While static QR codes are limited to €500 for Chinese users, Silkpay’s online channels enable you to accept single transactions up to €25,000, covering the majority of luxury retail scenarios. 

• WeChat Pay:

Similarly, our integration supports high-value transactions, realistically reaching €25,000 per transaction via online channels.

• UnionPay:

We support UnionPay International standard integration, including Yunshanfu and UnionPay cards, with a maximum processing capacity of €12,000 per transaction.

Choose the integration that suits your platform 

Silkpay provides three integration methods:

• Payment plugins:

Official, plug-and-play modules for PrestaShop and Woo-Commerce allow for instant deployment.

• API integration:

Create a frictionless checkout experience where all the customer journey happens directly on your site, reducing drop-off rates for sensitive high-value shoppers.

• Pay by Link (Payment links):

For VIP clients, simply send a secure payment link via email, WeChat or any other private channel. This method fully supports the €25,000 high-limit capability. Your Chinese customers can choose between Alipay+, WeChat Pay or UnionPay to complete the payment at their convenience.

Security and compliance: The bedrock of high-ticket sales

• Global compliance and secure settlement:

Fully compliant with PCI DSS standards and China’s foreign exchange regulations, with end-to-end encryption and strict anti-fraud controls.

All transactions regardless of the original currency are settled in the merchant’s currency, which eliminate exchange rate risks for merchants.

• Transparent management:

Enjoy a clear, no-hidden-cost fee structure with detailed transaction reports and reconciliation tools, ensuring full visibility and traceability of all financial data.

Conclusion:

Chinese purchasing power is undeniable, but it requires the right infrastructure to access. From bypassing the €5,000 limit on standard cards to complex foreign exchange rules, Silkpay provides the essential tools for European merchants to succeed.

With secure, compliant, and high-limit solutions like Alipay+, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay, you can offer a checkout experience that feels native to your Chinese customers. Stop leaving money on the table due to technical limitations.
Equip your business with Silkpay’s online payment solutions and start to accept large payments with confidence.

About the author: Silkpay

Based in Paris, Silkpay provides omnichannel and secure payment solutions to help physical stores and e-commerce in Europe and the Americas accept more than 30 of the world's most popular payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, CB, UnionPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay as well as Asia-Pacific’s major e-wallets.

Silkpay is a winner of the LVMH Innovation Award. The company was also selected as a finalist for the "Money 20/20" Best Startup and in the "MPE Berlin” Startup Awards. Silkpay also won the "Best Fintech" awards from Capgemini and BPCE.

Silkpay helps merchants deliver the smoothest payment experience to their customers. We are a talented and international team driven by a single goal: to improve the customer experience and make payments simple and secure.