WeChat Pay HK for businesses: Guide for cross-border payments between Hong Kong and mainland China

With the deepening integration of the Greater Bay Area and the rapid growth of cross-border eCommerce, more Hong Kong businesses are conducting frequent transactions with suppliers and customers in mainland China. As a digital payment platform connecting the two markets, WeChat Pay HK provides a fast, convenient solution for cross-border business payments.

What is WeChat Pay HK?

WeChat Pay HK is a digital payment service tailored for the Hong Kong market, enabling local users to make online and offline purchases via WeChat at local and select Mainland Chinese merchants. Unlike the Mainland version, it settles in Hong Kong dollars (HKD) and complies with Hong Kong’s financial regulations. Funds between WeChat Pay HK and Mainland WeChat Pay accounts are not transferable.

For Hong Kong businesses with cross-border operations, WeChat Pay HK offers more than just local payment capabilities – it provides a streamlined solution for cross-border payments. It allows businesses to efficiently transact with Mainland suppliers and customers. As Greater Bay Area integration advances and cross-border trade intensifies, WeChat Pay HK’s Mainland payment feature is becoming a key tool for handling small-value and real-time cross-border transactions.

Eligibility and onboarding requirements for Hong Kong businesses to use WeChat Pay HK

Real-name verification

There are two ways to apply to become a WeChat Pay HK merchant. The first is through the WeChat Pay HK collection code mini program. Businesses can scan the designated QR code using WeChat and complete a simple application form. Once approved, WeChat will arrange for a representative to visit the premises, assist with the setup and display of the payment QR code. Merchants can then begin accepting payments with WeChat Pay HK.

If you wish to apply for other payment services, such as POS terminal payments or online payments, businesses must apply via email. Submit the completed application form to the designated email address, and a WeChat Pay HK representative will contact you for follow-up.

To activate WeChat Pay HK as a payment collection tool, businesses must complete real-name verification by submitting the following documents:

• Business Registration certificate (BR)

• Company Registration certificate (CR) or Annual Return

• Identification documents of the responsible person

• Proof of bank account

Supported business bank accounts

In addition to real-name verification, businesses are required to have a commercial bank account that supports WeChat Pay HK. Currently, WeChat Pay HK is compatible with accounts from several major Hong Kong banks, including HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Hang Seng Bank. To activate WeChat Pay HK, businesses must ensure its bank account is compatible with the platform's payment system and complete the account linking process in strict accordance with the prescribed guidelines.

Cross-border payment guide for WeChat Pay HK merchants

WeChat Pay HK has become increasingly popular in recent years, now supporting over 1 million merchants across Hong Kong, mainland China, and Macau. It offers a convenient and seamless cross-border payment solution, enabling businesses to accept payments from a wide customer base across these regions.

QR code payments to mainland suppliers

For Hong Kong businesses, using WeChat Pay HK to pay mainland Chinese suppliers via QR code is a common and efficient method. To initiate a payment, businesses simply open the payment interface in WeChat and scan the QR code provided by the supplier. The transaction is processed instantly, offering a faster and more streamlined alternative to traditional payment methods. Additionally, businesses can view transaction history and detailed payment information directly within the payment interface, making it easier to manage and reconcile accounts.

Batch payment

Businesses typically rely on WeChat Pay’s API to implement batch payment functionality. The mainland China version of WeChat Pay offers a comprehensive set of APIs that support various payment and fund management features. WeChat Pay HK does not offer such functions, but Hong Kong businesses can apply to become cross-border merchants under the Mainland version of WeChat Pay. By becoming a host-to-host merchant, businesses can unlock access to more advanced features, including batch payments.

Business-to-business transfers

As the localised version of WeChat Pay in Hong Kong, WeChat Pay HK is primarily designed for individual users and small businesses for daily spending and QR code payments. Its functionality remains limited for large business-to-business (B2B) transfers, making it less suitable for medium to large enterprises.

In contrast, financial platforms such as Airwallex offer more comprehensive business payment solutions, supporting both local fund management and cross-border B2B transfers.

Tips for cross-border payments and transfers to mainland China using WeChat Pay HK

Businesses must ensure that all payments and transfers comply with regulatory requirements in both Hong Kong and mainland China.

When using WeChat Pay HK to make cross-border payments to mainland merchants, no additional handling fees are charged. This zero-fee feature is especially beneficial for businesses and users that frequently engage in small-amount transactions.

Fees, limits, and settlement time

When using WeChat Pay HK to transfer funds to a business or corporate account via a bank account or wallet balance, a 1% handling fee applies. For transfers made using a bank card, a handling fee ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% will be charged, depending on the card and transaction type. Transfer limits may vary depending on the bank.

For cross-border transfers between Hong Kong and mainland China, fees are based on the remittance amount. A fee of HK$25 is charged for each transaction below HK$6,500, and transactions exceeding HK$6,500 are fee-free. If payments are made using a payment QR code, the daily transaction limit is HK$30,000.

In general, transfers made via WeChat Pay HK are credited on the same day.

A better alternative for cross-border payments: Airwallex

Choosing a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective platform for cross-border payments is critical for maintaining competitiveness in today’s global economy. Whether you're a large corporation or a growing SME, Airwallex empowers your business with the tools needed to thrive in global markets.

While WeChat Pay HK supports basic cross-border payments suitable for small transfers, it lacks the flexibility and features required by businesses handling high-volume payments or multi-currency collections and payouts.

Airwallex’s multi-currency account offers a more advanced solution for cross-border payments. Airwallex supports batch and real-time payments to over 150 countries in 60+ trade currencies, with 95% of transactions arriving in full and as fast as one business day. Its competitive exchange rates and low transaction fees make it more cost-effective than traditional banks or third-party providers.

As a licensed Money Service Operator (MSO) regulated by Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department and other jurisdictions, Airwallex ensures security and compliance for global transactions. To further improve operational efficiency and transparency, Airwallex offers powerful APIs that allow businesses to integrate payments, reporting, and reconciliation into their own systems. This enables seamless automation of supplier payments, payroll processing, and monthly financial reporting.

Sources:

Information on WeChat Pay HK was retrieved as of April 2025, from below sources. Information provided is for reference only. Please refer to the official website of WeChat Pay HK for the most up-to-date details

1. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/42NXGkP9inM0IxJNnIHXqA

2. https://kf.qq.com/touch/sappfaq/220609f6FniE220609AriUBV.html?scene_id=kf3420&platform=15&spm=BlogArticle.InArticleHyperlinkWord&clickId=9a6824ebbd

3.  https://pay.weixin.qq.com/index.php/public/wechatpay_en/guide_merchant_directly

4. https://pay.weixin.qq.com/doc/v3/merchant/4012711988

5. https://www.hangseng.com/zh-hk/business/banking-digitally/online-services-wechat-account-binding/

6. https://www.online-banking.business.hsbc.com.hk/portalserver/hsbc/dbbpage/commercial/online/wechat/faq?lang=zh

7. https://kf.qq.com/touch/sappfaq/240315jIfE7f240315IBVzUv.html?scene_id=kf3420&platform=15

8. https://kf.qq.com/touch/sappfaq/230621iYZBj6230621bmuEVN.html?scene_id=kf3420&platform=15

Disclaimer: The information was based on our own online research and we were not able to manually test each tool or provider. The information is provided for educational purposes only and a reader should consider the specific requirements of their business when evaluating providers. This research is reviewed every 6 months. If you would like to request an update, feel free to contact us at [email protected].