Sending money from China to the UK can be frustrating: opaque fees, slow bank wires, and confusing recipient requirements.
This guide gives a complete, practical walkthrough to send funds cheap and fast with SkyRemit, compares costs with traditional bank transfers, explains technical requirements (IBAN vs account number, sort code), and offers step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting advice, and compliance tips so your transfer arrives quickly and securely.
Quick overview at a glance
- Main benefit: SkyRemit offers transparent fees and much faster GBP transfers than many traditional bank TTs.
- Typical speed: From immediate (minutes) to 1–2 business days depending on checks.
- Typical savings: Significant compared with bank TT fees; example calculations are provided below.
- Best for: Salaried workers, family support payments, bill payments, and small-to-medium personal transfers.
How SkyRemit is cheaper and faster than banks
Cost comparison summary
| Provider | Typical fees | Transfer speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkyRemit | Low transparent fees; no hidden correspondent bank fees | Minutes to 1–2 business days | Mobile-first, supports WeChat pay and other channels |
| Traditional Bank TT | Higher fees; possible intermediary bank charges | 1–5 business days | Often has hidden correspondent and receiving bank fees |
| Major Money Transfer Operators | Variable fees and margins | Hours to days | Depends on payout rails and FX spread |
Sources: SkyRemit product pages; bank TT fee schedules; user reports and platform comparisons.
Why the cost difference exists
- SkyRemit uses modern payout rails and local partners to avoid repeated correspondent bank steps that add fees and time.
- Banks often apply fixed outgoing fees, currency conversion markups, and intermediary charges that are not disclosed up-front.
- SkyRemit’s pricing model bundles FX margin and transfer fee into a clear quoted cost before you confirm.
Real example: How much you can save
Use this working example to understand savings when sending CNY to GBP.
- Example amount: 10,000 CNY
- Bank TT hidden and visible fees often include: outgoing fee, intermediary fees, receiving bank charges, and worse FX margins.
- SkyRemit claims savings from lower margins plus no hidden intermediary fees.
Sample rough savings calculation approach:
- Estimate FX margin difference (e.g., 0.36%–0.38%).
- Add platform flat/variable fees (e.g., 0.1% plus a fixed service fee range).
- Subtract typical bank fixed fee differences and any promotional bonuses.
Using the article’s example, sending 10,000 CNY via SkyRemit can save at least 261.32 CNY compared to a standard TT.
Step-by-step: Sending money from China to the UK with SkyRemit
Step 1 Create and verify your SkyRemit account
- Visit the SkyRemit website.
- Register using your mobile number and a valid ID.
- Complete identity verification (upload passport or Permanent Residence ID Card, and a selfie where required).
- Add and verify your Chinese funding source (WeChat Pay, Alipay, bank card depending on available rails).
Step 2 Add recipient details correctly
- For UK recipients you must provide:
- Recipient name (exactly as on their bank account)
- Account number or IBAN (see special rules below)
- Sort code (UK six-digit code)
- Recipient bank name and branch if requested
- Tip: Copy-and-paste the account information from the recipient’s banking app to avoid typos.
Step 3 Choose transfer amount and payout method
- Select CNY as the debit currency and GBP as the payout currency.
- Review the quoted exchange rate and fees carefully; SkyRemit shows a full breakdown before confirmation.
- Choose whether to pay via WeChat Pay, Alipay, or card depending on availability and limits.
Step 4 Complete compliance and reference fields
- Enter payment purpose; common options: family support, salary, education, bills.
- Attach supporting documents if prompted (pay slips for salary-type transfers).
- Keep the transfer reference clear and use your name so the recipient’s bank can match incoming payments.
Step 5 Track the transfer and confirm receipt
- SkyRemit provides real-time status updates in-app.
- If your transfer is instant, confirm with the recipient. If delayed, check for pending compliance review requests.
Important technical notes and common pitfalls
IBAN vs Account Number for UK transfers
- UK domestic GBP payments generally require account number + sort code.
- Some UK banks accept IBANs for international GBP receipts, but not all payment rails handle IBANs correctly.
- Special case: Revolut often requires the local account number and sort code for GBP transfers. Using an IBAN for Revolut GBP payments may result in failure. Always confirm the exact required fields with the recipient before sending.
Typical reasons for failed or delayed transfers
- Incorrect recipient details (name mismatch, wrong account number/sort code or IBAN).
- Regulatory or anti-money-laundering (AML) compliance checks.
- Missing or unclear payment purpose for salary or tax-reportable transfers.
- Limits on funding methods (daily/monthly caps via WeChat/Alipay).
How compliance checks affect speed
- Random or flagged transfers may require additional documentation and can take 1–2 business days to clear.
- High-value transfers or transfers that match atypical patterns (large one-off amounts) are more likely to be reviewed.
How to prepare to avoid delays and rejections
- Always verify the recipient’s account details by copying directly from their online banking app.
- Use the exact account name format; minor differences (middle initials, punctuation) can cause rejections.
- If sending salary or payroll, keep payslips or employment contract copies handy in case SkyRemit requests them.
- For Revolut and some fintech banks, confirm whether they require account number + sort code rather than IBAN.
Speed expectations and timing strategies
When transfers are fastest
Transfers are fastest when SkyRemit has direct local payout rails and when the transfer passes automated checks.
In many cases, GBP transfers can arrive in minutes, even on weekends.
When transfers take longer
Transfers subject to compliance review, time zone differences, bank processing hours, or public holidays may take up to 1–2 business days.
Best practices to maximize speed
- Send during local business hours in China to expedite upstream processing.
- Avoid cutting it close to end-of-month or weekend banking cutoffs if the payment is time-sensitive.
- For urgent transfers, use SkyRemit’s in-app priority or express options if offered.
Fees, exchange rates, and how to compare providers
How to read a SkyRemit quote
- A full SkyRemit quote should show:
- The exchange rate applied.
- A clear listing of fees (percentage + fixed fee if any).
- The exact amount the recipient will receive in GBP.
Comparing offers
- Compare the all-in amount the recipient will get, not just the sender-side fee.
- Watch for FX spread (difference between interbank rate and the offered rate) as a hidden cost.
- Consider any receiving bank fees on the UK side; SkyRemit’s local payout partnerships usually minimize these.
Use cases and scenarios
Regular salary remittances
If you remit salary regularly, set up saved recipients and use consistent payment purposes to reduce friction during compliance checks.
One-off large transfers
Notify SkyRemit support in advance for large transfers so they can advise on documentation and expected timelines.
Sending to fintech banks like Revolut
Confirm with the account identifiers and whether the account supports GBP via IBAN or requires UK domestic fields.
Troubleshooting common issues
Transfer stuck on “Processing”
- Check for in-app messages requesting documents.
- Verify funding source transaction was successful (WeChat/Alipay receipt).
- Contact SkyRemit support with your transfer ID and screenshots.
Transfer returned or failed
- Confirm recipient details and any rejection reason provided.
- If funds are returned to your SkyRemit wallet or funding source, you can retry after correcting errors.
Unexpected fees deducted on arrival
These are usually receiving bank or intermediary charges.
If SkyRemit’s paid-out amount matched your confirmation, the receiving bank may deduct fees. Contact the recipient’s bank for details.
Real user feedback and practical tips
- Many users report instant arrivals for GBP transfers when sending small-to-medium amounts via mobile pay channels.
- For first-time users, use smaller test transfers to validate payout details.
- Join user communities for updates on experiences with specific UK banks or fintech providers.
Table comparing transfer attributes
| Attribute | SkyRemit | Traditional Bank TT | Fintech competitor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparency of fees | High | Low | Medium |
| Typical transfer speed | Minutes to 1–2 days | 1–5 days | Minutes to days |
| Mobile experience | Fully mobile | Limited | Fully mobile |
| Best for | Personal transfers, salary | Large corporate wires | P2P and fintech payouts |
| Ease of correcting errors | High via app | Slow through branch | Medium via app |
Safety and compliance considerations
- Use SkyRemit for legal and tax-compliant salary and personal transfers. Keep records in case of tax or compliance inquiries.
- SkyRemit is positioned for compliant salary remittances and may request documentation for tax-related transfers.
- Keep copies of transfer confirmations, payment purpose statements, and any correspondences.
How to save money on repeat transfers
- Use bundled or recurring transfer plans if offered.
- Time your transfers to favorable exchange-rate windows.
- Take advantage of SkyRemit promotions and new-user bonuses when available.
Recommended checklist before sending
- Confirm recipient name matches bank record.
- Copy recipient account number and sort code directly from their banking app.
- Check whether the recipient bank requires a UK account number instead of IBAN (Revolut example).
- Prepare supporting documents for salary or large transfers.
- Review the SkyRemit quote and confirm the recipient’s expected GBP amount.
External links and resources
- SkyRemit official site: https://remit.skyee360.com/client/signUp/register?inviteCode=R26652
- Revolut support: https://www.revolut.com
- Lakala: https://www.lakala.com
- People’s Bank of China: https://www.pbc.gov.cn
Final recommendations
- For most expats and salaried workers in China, using SkyRemit provides a balance of speed, cost transparency, and convenience that beats many traditional bank TTs for personal GBP transfers.
- Start with a small test transfer to confirm recipient routing and payout behavior, especially when sending to fintech accounts.
- Keep records and receipts for compliance and tax reporting.
About the Author
