Payments & Money Transfers to Chinese Suppliers
Pay Chinese suppliers without the bank headaches — we settle invoices in RMB on your behalf, including 1688 and Alipay sellers a normal transfer can't reach.
Paying a Chinese supplier is harder than it should be. A SWIFT bank transfer is slow, expensive, and often can't reach the seller at all — 1688 wholesalers, Taobao shops, and Alipay-only factories simply don't take foreign wire payments. We settle the invoice for you, in RMB, through the channel the supplier actually uses.
You send us the invoice and pay in your own currency; we pay the seller in yuan from our China accounts, confirm it, and send you proof. Deposits, balances, 1688 orders, Alipay — the payments a normal transfer can't make, we make.
Who this is for
This service is for:
- Importers whose bank transfer to China is blocked, delayed or refused by the supplier.
- Buyers on 1688/Taobao whose sellers only take RMB to a Chinese account or Alipay.
- Companies that don't want to set up their own currency-control paperwork to pay suppliers.
What we do
- 1
Confirm the invoice
You send us the supplier invoice and payment details.
- 2
Agree terms
We confirm amount, currency and how you'll settle with us.
- 3
Pay in RMB
We pay the supplier from our China entity in local currency.
- 4
Reach any seller
We pay Chinese bank accounts, Alipay or 1688 sellers directly.
- 5
Confirm receipt
We confirm the supplier got the funds so production starts.
How a supplier payment works
It's a simple hand-off: you fund the payment once, we handle the Chinese side. No Chinese bank account, no Alipay setup, no chasing a wire that bounced.
You stay in control — nothing is paid until you approve the invoice.
Payment channels we reach
The reason direct payment fails is usually the channel: most Chinese sellers want a method foreign banks don't offer. We cover all of them.
If your supplier takes it, we can pay through it.
Bank SWIFT vs paying through us
For China payments, a foreign bank transfer is often the slow, expensive option that still can't reach the seller.
- Reaches 1688 / Alipay sellers
- No
- Speed
- Days, sometimes bounced
- Fees & FX
- High fees, poor rate
- Currency-control paperwork
- Your problem
- Reaches 1688 / Alipay sellers
- Yes
- Speed
- Fast, same channel as locals
- Fees & FX
- Competitive RMB rate
- Currency-control paperwork
- We help document it
What we take care of
Beyond moving the money, we handle the things that trip up importers paying China for the first time.
You get a clean, documented payment that satisfies your bank and your supplier.
- Payment in RMB at a competitive exchange rate
- Reaching sellers a SWIFT transfer can't
- Deposits and balance payments on your schedule
- Documentation for your ЗЕД / currency control
- Proof of payment and receipts
- No surprise surcharges from the seller's side
Why it matters
The problem we solve — and how we solve it.
Direct transfers to China get blocked or stuck in currency-control checks.
We pay locally in RMB, so the supplier is paid fast and cleanly.
1688 and many small suppliers can't receive international transfers at all.
We pay their domestic account or Alipay on your behalf.
Doing your own currency-control paperwork is slow and easy to get wrong.
We handle the payment so you don't have to set up foreign-trade banking yourself.
How we compare
| Silk Way Sourcing | Typical logistics company | Alibaba sourcing | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reaches 1688/Alipay | Yes, paid locally | No | Needs a Chinese account |
| Currency control | Handled for you | Not offered | On you |
| Speed | Often same day | Not applicable | Bank delays |
| Block risk | Low — local RMB payment | Not applicable | Transfers often blocked |
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I just pay my supplier by bank transfer?
Many Chinese sellers (1688, Taobao, Alipay-only factories) don't accept foreign SWIFT wires; even when they do, it's slow and costly. We pay through the channel they actually use.
Do I need a Chinese bank account or Alipay?
No — you pay us in your currency and we pay the seller in RMB from our China accounts.
Can you pay 1688 and Alipay sellers?
Yes — those are exactly the payments a normal transfer can't reach, and a core reason to use us.
What currency do I pay in?
Your own — we convert and pay the supplier in RMB at a competitive rate.
Can you handle deposits and balance payments?
Yes — we pay the deposit to start production and the balance when you're ready, on your schedule.
Do you provide proof of payment?
Yes — you get confirmation and receipts for your records and your bank.
What about currency control / ЗЕД documentation?
We help document the payment so it fits your foreign-trade contract and currency-control requirements.
How much do supplier payments cost?
Pricing isn't fixed — it depends on the complexity, scope, and resources the job needs. Tell us what you're planning and we'll give you a clear quote up front, with no hidden costs.
What importers say after working with us
Sourcing wins across steel, solar, energy storage, construction materials and supplier verification. Client names are withheld for confidentiality.
- Steel & metals
We needed 200 tonnes of hot-rolled coil and kept getting quotes from traders. Silk Way took us straight to the mill, verified it, and inspected the load before we paid the balance.
Importer, steel & metals · Egypt - Solar energy
They caught that our 'factory' was actually a trading company and found us the real manufacturer — it saved us from a costly mistake.
Importer, solar EPC · Poland - Fiber optics
Single-mode fiber for a regional network build, delivered on spec and on time. The pre-shipment inspection report gave our own client real confidence.
Telecom contractor · Kenya
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Learn moreMeet our team of experts
Our team brings hands-on experience in sourcing, quality control, and logistics, working closely with manufacturers to ensure reliable results at every stage.
Arkadii Vakhnovskyi
Founder & CEO
Dmitry Markov
Head of Operations & CTO
Andy Wang
Logistics & Compliance Manager
Alyona
Marketing & SMM
Contact Us
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