China CNAPS Code Lookup
Find CNAPS routing numbers and SWIFT codes for Chinese banks. Covers 146 major branches across 14 leading banks. Free, instant, no signup.
- Recipient full legal name (must match their bank account name exactly)
- Recipient bank account number (16-19 digits for Chinese banks)
- Bank name:
- CNAPS routing code:
- SWIFT code:
- Transfer amount and currency (CNY / RMB preferred for China transfers)
- Transfer purpose (required for compliance — e.g. "Family Support", "Business Payment")
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What Is a CNAPS Code?
CNAPS stands for China National Advanced Payment System. It is China's domestic interbank clearing network, operated by the People's Bank of China (PBoC). A CNAPS code is a 12-digit routing number that identifies a specific bank branch within this system, used for real-time gross settlement (RTGS) and batch clearing of CNY transactions within China.
Every bank branch registered with the PBoC has a unique CNAPS code. When a payment is made between two Chinese bank accounts, the CNAPS code tells the clearing system exactly where to route the funds, down to the individual branch level. There are over 200,000 CNAPS codes registered across China's banking system.
CNAPS Code Format
Every CNAPS code is exactly 12 digits. The first 6 digits identify the bank and its PBoC registration category. The last 6 digits identify the specific branch. This is what a CNAPS code looks like:
Identifies the financial institution. 102 = ICBC, 103 = ABC, 104 = BOC, 105 = CCB. Assigned by PBoC.
Identifies the specific branch or clearing center. 099996 = Head Office clearing account. Location-specific for all other branches.
Major Chinese Bank CNAPS Prefixes
| Bank (English) | Bank (Chinese) | CNAPS Prefix | SWIFT Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial & Commercial Bank of China | 中国工商银行 | 102xxx | ICBKCNBJ |
| Agricultural Bank of China | 中国农业银行 | 103xxx | ABOCCNBJ |
| Bank of China | 中国银行 | 104xxx | BKCHCNBJ |
| China Construction Bank | 中国建设银行 | 105xxx | PCBCCNBJ |
| Bank of Communications | 交通银行 | 301xxx | COMMCNSH |
| China CITIC Bank | 中信银行 | 302xxx | CIBKCNBJ |
| China Everbright Bank | 中国光大银行 | 303xxx | EVERCNBJ |
| China Guangfa Bank | 广发银行 | 306xxx | GDBACNBS |
| Ping An Bank | 平安银行 | 307xxx | SZDBCNBS |
| China Merchants Bank | 招商银行 | 308xxx | CMBCCNBS |
| Industrial Bank | 兴业银行 | 309xxx | FJIBCNBJ |
| Shanghai Pudong Development Bank | 上海浦东发展银行 | 310xxx | SPDBCNSH |
| Postal Savings Bank of China | 中国邮政储蓄银行 | 403xxx | PSBCCNBJ |
CNAPS vs SWIFT: What is the Difference?
CNAPS and SWIFT serve completely different purposes, and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes people make when transferring money to China. Here is the clear distinction:
| Feature | CNAPS Code | SWIFT Code |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | China National Advanced Payment System | Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication |
| Length | 12 digits (numeric only) | 8 or 11 characters (alphanumeric) |
| Used For | Domestic transfers within China | International wire transfers |
| Operated By | People's Bank of China (PBoC) | SWIFT cooperative (Belgium) |
| Currency | CNY (Renminbi) only | Any currency |
| Required For Inbound International Wire | Sometimes (as additional info) | Yes, always required |
| Hong Kong Transfers | Not used | Used |
| Example | 102100099996 | ICBKCNBJXXX |
How an International Wire Reaches a Chinese Bank Account
Understanding this flow helps you know exactly what information to provide and why:
You provide the recipient's name, account number, SWIFT code of the Chinese bank, and optionally the CNAPS code.
Your bank sends a SWIFT MT103 message to the Chinese bank's SWIFT address. Correspondent banks may be involved for currency conversion.
The bank's international clearing department processes the inbound wire and converts to CNY if needed.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange screens the transaction. Large amounts or unusual patterns may require additional documentation from the recipient.
After compliance clearance, funds are credited. Typical timeline: 1 to 5 business days depending on the sending country and currency pair.
(Abroad)
Network
Bank HQ
Routing
Account
Why You Do Not Need a CNAPS Code for Hong Kong
Hong Kong operates a separate banking system from mainland China, despite being part of the People's Republic. Hong Kong uses SWIFT codes and the CHATS (Clearing House Automated Transfer System) for local HKD transfers. CNAPS is a mainland China system only. For transfers to Hong Kong banks, provide the SWIFT code and account number as you would for any international transfer.
CIPS, SAFE Regulations, and What They Mean for You
What Is CIPS?
CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System) is China's own equivalent of SWIFT for cross-border RMB transactions. Launched by the PBoC in 2015, CIPS allows financial institutions to settle cross-border CNY payments directly, without needing to route through the SWIFT network or US correspondent banks.
For most retail and small business transfers, CIPS operates invisibly in the background. Your overseas bank sends a SWIFT message, and if the Chinese bank participates in CIPS, the settlement may use CIPS rails internally. As a sender or receiver, you still provide SWIFT codes, not CIPS identifiers.
SAFE Regulations and Receiving Money from Abroad in China
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) regulates all cross-border capital flows in China. Any individual or business receiving money from abroad is subject to SAFE oversight. Key rules to be aware of:
- Annual quota: Individual Chinese residents can receive up to USD 50,000 equivalent per year in foreign currency without requiring special SAFE approval. Amounts above this require supporting documentation.
- Purpose declaration: Recipients must declare the purpose of incoming funds to their bank. Common categories include trade payment, salary, family remittance, and investment income.
- Documentation for large amounts: For business transactions, contracts, invoices, and proof of trade relationship may be required. For personal transfers, proof of the relationship between sender and receiver is often needed.
- CNY conversion: Incoming foreign currency is typically converted to CNY at the bank's prevailing rate. Retaining foreign currency requires a foreign currency account (not available at all banks).
UnionPay Accounts vs Traditional Bank Accounts
Most Chinese bank accounts are linked to a UnionPay card, China's domestic card network. However, the routing infrastructure for wire transfers is the bank account itself, not the UnionPay card. For receiving international wires, you need your bank account number (usually 16-19 digits on your card), not your card number. These are different. The account number is typically printed on your bank statement or accessible in your bank's mobile app under "account details".
How to Find a CNAPS Code
There are four ways to find a CNAPS code for a Chinese bank branch:
Search by bank name, province, or enter a code directly. Covers 146 major branches instantly.
The recipient can find their branch CNAPS code in their mobile banking app under account details, or by calling their bank.
Chinese bank statements often include the CNAPS code in the account details section. Look for a 12-digit number labeled "联行行号" (Lian Hang Hang Hao).
The People's Bank of China maintains an official CNAPS directory at pbc.gov.cn, searchable by bank and location (available in Chinese only).
Common Mistakes with CNAPS Payments and How to Solve Them
Mistake 1: Providing CNAPS instead of SWIFT (or vice versa)
For an international wire FROM abroad TO China, your overseas bank needs the SWIFT code, not the CNAPS code. Providing only a 12-digit CNAPS number will cause the transfer to be rejected or returned, because CNAPS is a domestic Chinese system that overseas banks cannot access directly.
Mistake 2: Using the wrong branch code
CNAPS codes are branch-specific. Using ICBC's head office code when the account is at an ICBC branch in Chengdu may cause a routing delay. Always confirm the CNAPS code with the recipient, who can verify it through their mobile banking app or by calling their branch.
Mistake 3: Name mismatch
Chinese bank accounts are registered in Chinese characters. If your bank requires a Latin alphabet name and the name doesn't exactly match the transliteration on file at the Chinese bank, the payment may be held for manual review. Ask the recipient for the exact romanized name as registered with their bank.
Mistake 4: Not accounting for SAFE documentation delays
Large transfers (especially business payments above USD 10,000) may be held by the receiving Chinese bank pending SAFE documentation. This is not a transfer failure. The recipient needs to visit their bank with supporting documents (invoice, contract, or proof of relationship) to release the funds. Plan for this, especially for urgent payments.
