International visitors and residents in Shanghai can use eligible bank cards issued outside the Chinese mainland at participating merchants across the city.

Direct card payments at POS terminals

Visitors with bank cards issued outside the Chinese mainland can pay directly at POS terminals displaying the relevant payment network logos.

• Accepted card networks: At participating merchants, cards bearing the logos of UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club, or Discover may be accepted, depending on the payment network logos displayed.
• In-store payments: Look for your card's payment network logo at the storefront or cashier counter. If no logo is displayed, ask the cashier whether your card is accepted. Follow the cashier's instructions to complete the payment.
• Taxi payments: Some taxis equipped with compatible POS terminals also accept cards issued outside the Chinese mainland.

Linking overseas bank cards to mobile payment apps

International visitors can link eligible bank cards issued outside the Chinese mainland to Alipay or Weixin Pay (WeChat Pay) without opening a bank account in the Chinese mainland.

Transaction limits for overseas bank cards linked to Alipay or Weixin Pay:

• Single transaction limit: Up to $5,000.
• Annual cumulative limit: Up to $50,000.

Check the app for the limits applicable to your account.

Service fees for overseas bank cards linked to Alipay or Weixin Pay:

• A transaction of 200 yuan or less is generally exempt from the platform's service fee.
• A transaction above 200 yuan may incur a service fee of 3 percent of the full transaction amount.

Check the payment page for applicable fees and promotional exemptions before confirming a payment.

Withdrawing cash from ATMs

Overseas bank cards can be used to withdraw renminbi (RMB) cash from ATMs across Shanghai that display the corresponding payment network logos.

Cash withdrawal limits: ATM withdrawals using overseas bank cards are generally subject to a 3,000-yuan per-transaction limit. Some ATMs may impose additional restrictions, and the card-issuing bank may set its own daily or monthly withdrawal limits.

Customer support and assistance contacts

For payment-related inquiries or general assistance during their stay in Shanghai, visitors can use the following official hotlines:

• UnionPay Customer Service Hotline (Chinese mainland): 95516
• Shanghai Public Service Hotline: 12345 (English-language support available)