Pay your suppliers in China from Canada
Pay in yuan or US dollars, plan around currency moves, and ask for local Hong Kong dollar and offshore yuan (CNH) accounts for your customers and partners in Greater China.
How do I pay a supplier in China from Canada?
You fund the payment in Canadian dollars or US dollars through FinXtra, and your supplier is paid in yuan or US dollars. Before you confirm, you see the exchange rate and a full cost breakdown, including any currency markup. Many Chinese suppliers invoice in US dollars. If yours will accept either currency, we can show you the cost of each so you can compare.
Who uses payments to China
How payments to China work with FinXtra
Plan around yuan and US dollar moves
Orders from China often involve a deposit now and a balance months later. In between, the CAD/USD and USD/CNY rates can both move. Ebury reports in its January 2026 guide for exporters that the USD/RMB rate has fluctuated by more than 15% over the last ten years, and that more firms in Western countries are starting to pay in RMB rather than US dollars. Forward contracts let you lock a rate for up to five years ahead, and limit orders let you aim for a rate you choose. Ask us which tool fits your order cycle.
Source: Ebury, "For exporters: Switching to local payment solutions", January 27, 2026. This is Ebury's statement, not FinXtra's. Past exchange rate movements do not predict future moves.
Before you pay a supplier in China
A few details save time and money on every payment.
Receive HKD and offshore yuan (CNH) like a local
If you sell to customers or partners in Hong Kong or Greater China, you can ask for a local Hong Kong dollar (HKD) account and an offshore yuan (CNH) account held in Hong Kong. CNH is the yuan traded outside mainland China. Your payers send funds to a local account instead of making an international wire, and you hold or convert the money when it suits you.
Local accounts are subject to your business profile and onboarding approval.
Why Canadian importers choose FinXtra
- Transparent pricing. A full cost breakdown before you commit.
- Access to wholesale FX liquidity, usually reserved for large corporations.
- 135+ currencies.
- Forward contracts and limit orders to plan around the market.
- A dedicated adviser before and after onboarding.
Paying suppliers in China: common questions
Can I pay a Chinese supplier in yuan from Canada?
Yes. Yuan is among the 135+ currencies we handle. Contact us to confirm availability for your amount and timing.
Should I pay in US dollars or in yuan?
It depends on what your supplier will accept and on the rates on the day. Many suppliers invoice in US dollars. We show you the cost of each option so you can compare.
Can I receive HKD or yuan from customers without an international wire?
You can ask for local HKD and offshore yuan (CNH) account details, subject to onboarding approval. Your customers then pay into a local account. The yuan account is held in Hong Kong.
Do I need a bank account in Hong Kong or China to receive yuan?
No. With local HKD and offshore yuan (CNH) account details, your customers pay into a local account and the funds are credited to your account on the platform. Availability depends on your business profile and onboarding approval.
What is the difference between CNY and CNH?
CNY is the yuan used inside mainland China. CNH is the same currency traded outside mainland China, mainly through Hong Kong, and its exchange rate can differ slightly from CNY. Our local yuan account is an offshore (CNH) account held in Hong Kong. Whether funds can then be sent on to a bank account in mainland China depends on the receiving bank and the rules in force, so we confirm the route for your payment during your analysis.
Can I use the yuan I receive to pay my own suppliers?
In many cases, yes. You can hold the balance and use it to pay suppliers directly, which avoids converting to Canadian dollars and back. Whether a given supplier can be paid from an offshore yuan balance depends on the supplier's bank and the route, so we confirm it during your analysis.
Can I lock the rate for an order I will pay in a few months?
Yes. Forward contracts let you lock a rate for up to five years ahead. The terms and availability for your currency pair are confirmed during your analysis.
How fast will my payment arrive?
In most cases a payment can arrive the same day. Timing depends on the time of day you book it, the currency pair and the corridor, which determine the payment rail used. We confirm the expected timing before you commit.
Are there account opening fees?
Opening an account is completely free, and you get full access to the platform.
Is FinXtra regulated?
FinXtra works with Ebury, which provides the payment and foreign exchange services. Ebury Canada is registered with FINTRAC, and all client funds are held with Ebury Canada in line with regulatory standards. See the regulatory disclosure at the bottom of this page for the US, UK and Mexico.
Payment and foreign exchange services are provided by Ebury under its terms and conditions. Availability of currencies, accounts and products depends on the route, the amount and your onboarding. Exchange rates move, so the amount you pay or receive depends on the rate when you transact. This page is general information, not financial advice.
Plan your next payment to China
Book a free 20-minute FX analysis. We review your payment flows and show you your options, at no cost and with no commitment.
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