Do merchants in China have to accept cash?

Yes. The renminbi is legal tender and the PBoC fines businesses that refuse it, including seven businesses penalized in May 2024. The 2024 State Council plan requires large venues to accept mobile payment, bank cards and cash.

Why the rule matters

As mobile payments became dominant, some businesses stopped accepting cash. This excluded older people, visitors and those without smartphones. The central bank responded by enforcing the legal tender rule.

The 2024 plan

The State Council set out measures to improve payment services for elderly people and foreign visitors. Large venues such as shopping malls, hotels, tourist sites and transport hubs must offer several ways to pay: mobile wallets, bank cards, including foreign cards, and cash.

In practice

Mobile wallets remain the main way to pay. But merchants must keep cash acceptance, and many have improved card acceptance for visitors.

For visitors

Carrying some cash remains useful, alongside a wallet app and an international card.

What it means for payment operators

For your merchants with stores in China or serving Chinese visitors, accepting several methods is the norm. In-store payments that combine wallets and cards, with reporting across all channels, help them meet these expectations.