Zhongguo Remittance (长城中国汇款) Singapore: Full review

Considering using Zhongguo Remittance to send money? Before choosing an international money transfer provider, it’s important to consider everything from fees and processes to timescales and convenience.

If you’re new to Zhongguo Remittance, it first launched over 20 years ago and specialises in transfers to China, as well as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, the US, Indonesia and more¹. The company aims to be a one-stop provider for remittance needs in Singapore.

Try our honest comparison tool to see if you could be saving money on your international transfers.

Read on for a full Zhongguo Remittance review, including what is required to send money, how to do it and how much it costs.

Table of contents
ChangCheng remit app Zhongguo Remittance exchange rate Service charges and fees How to transfer money abroad with Zhongguo and ChangCheng remittance How to open an account The true cost of international transfers with Zhongguo Summary

Overview of Zhongguo Remittance money transfer service

Zhongguo Remittance offers an international money transfer service, where payments can be set up online, in the app or by visiting a branch in person. You can send money to over 200 countries¹, although the provider doesn’t make clear on its website exactly how many currencies you can send to.

ChangCheng remit app

One of the easiest ways you can send money with Zhongguo Remittance in Singapore is using its handy app. The ChangCheng remittance app is available from the Google Play store and the Apple App Store.

Using it, you can set up, view and manage transactions on the move, in just a few taps and without the need to fill in paper or online forms. You can choose to fund your payments with either eNETS (DBS, OCBC, UOB, Citibank and Standard Chartered are supported) or internet banking².

The Zhongguo Remittance app also lets you view real-time exchange rates before sending international payments. Plus, you can manage all your beneficiaries and their details.

Zhongguo Remittance exchange rate

When comparing prices for international money transfer services, it’s always a smart idea to check out exchange rates. This is because even if upfront transfer fees seem low, an unfavourable exchange rate can make your payment more expensive overall.

Zhongguo Remittance rates include a mark-up on the mid-market exchange rate. This is the ‘real’ currency exchange rate, the one that banks use to trade with each other. Unfortunately, banks and many money transfers don’t give you the mid-market rate. Instead, they add their own mark-up or margin on top. This is how they make money on the transaction. Ultimately, it means that it can cost more for you.

The good news is that not all money transfer services add this mark-up to the rate. Wise uses the mid-market rate, with no margins added on top. So if you’re put off by the idea of losing money unnecessarily to a poor exchange rate, consider using Wise instead.

Service charges and fees

It’s free to sign up for a Zhongguo Remittance account¹, but there are service charges to pay for sending money.

Unfortunately though, it’s not possible to find a list of Zhongguo Remittance service charges on its website.

You can contact them directly to find out what the transfer fees are, but the fees also vary depending on the currency you are sending to. This does make it more difficult to map out the cost of your transfer, especially if you are sending money to different places in the world.

As far as the exchange rate goes, you can find regularly updated exchange rates on the Zhongguo website.

How to transfer money abroad with Zhongguo and ChangCheng remittance

Before you can start using Zhongguo, you’ll need to open an account. The next step is to complete the remittance procedure. Just a small warning, if paperwork is not your thing, this may not be the best option for you.

How to open a Zhongguo account

To open an account you will need to fill out the personal account opening application form. You can do this online, in the ChangCheng app or by visiting your local Zhongguo Remittance Centre in person. You will also need the following documents³:

• A copy of your NRIC/Passport/National Photo ID
• A copy of your Proof of Residential Address
• A copy of Authorised person(s) NRIC/Passport/National Photo ID
• Copy of Authorised person(s) Proof of Residential Address

Eligibility requirements

Zhongguo doesn’t seem to have strict eligibility requirements for opening an account. So, as long as you have the documents listed above, you should be all set to open an account and start sending money.

Sending money with Zhongguo - step-by-step

Once you’ve opened an account, you can then use the service to send money. A quick thing to note - if you sign up in a branch, you’ll need to make sure you also sign up for online remittance before you can send money online.

Ready to set up your first online payment? Simply follow these steps⁴:

1. Login to Zhongguo Web Remit with your ID number and password. You may also receive an SMS OTP number to your phone as an extra verification step.
2. Select or add a new beneficiary in the ‘Beneficiary’ tab
3. Fill in the amount, your information, the source of funds and all other requested information
4. Read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and click the checkbox to confirm
5. Confirm the payment
6. Choose either Internet Banking Transfer or ATM Transfer. For Internet Banking Transfers, you’ll need to transfer the money to this account: RHB Bank Berhad: 18010756406. For ATM Transfers, you’ll need to state ‘Web Remit’ on the ATM Transfer receipt.
7. Upload your ATM Transfer slip or Internet Banking Transfer screenshot.
8. You’ll receive an SMS notification once your transfer is complete.

To send money in person by visiting a Zhongguo Remittance Centre, you’ll need to download, print and complete an application form. Then, visit a branch with the following⁵:

• Your completed Remittance Form
• Identification documents
• Supporting documents (for payments over $20,000 SGD)
• Means of payment - cash, ATM/Internet Banking Transfer, cheque or cashier’s order.

Sending money on the ChangCheng app

Here’s how to send money using the ChangCheng app⁶:

1. Login to the app
2. Choose a beneficiary or add a new one by tapping on ‘Add Beneficiary’
3. Select a currency and fill in the details of the beneficiary
4. Head to the Remit page and tap on the person you’d like to send to
5. Enter the amount
6. Upload your supporting documents (if required)
7. Pay for your transfer and confirm.

The true cost of international transfers with Zhongguo

Let’s break down the true cost of doing a transfer with Zhongguo Remittance. For every transaction, there’s an exchange rate to consider as well as a transfer fee.

Here’s what a transfer from Singapore to China would look like, compared to another international transfer provider Wise:

Provider	Amount	Exchange rate to CNY	Fee	Recipient receives	Time taken
⁷	SGD 1000	4.8600	SGD 18	4,772.52 CNY	Up to 2 days⁸
⁹	SGD 1000	4.87382	SGD 10.62	4,822.06 CNY	Seconds

Exchange rate correct during the time of research - 25.07.2022

A cheap, fast and transparent alternative: Wise

You don’t have time for uploading documents, printing out forms or physically going to a branch for a money transfer. Leave all that behind and join the 13 million customers in Singapore that already use Wise.

With Wise you can send money all over the world in over 50 currencies, from the comfort of your home and at a price that is up to 7x cheaper than banks and PayPal¹⁰.

It’s easy and free to sign up too. So instead of dealing with unclear fees and expensive exchange rates, you can have clear fees and convert money with the real exchange rate that help save you money. With Wise’s lower cost transfers around the globe, we make sure you spend money on what matters.

Summary

Zhongguo has made it easier to make international transfers thanks to its online web remit service and the handy ChangCheng app. This certainly beats printing off forms and heading to a branch in person. It’s also easy to check exchange rates, which are available in real-time on the app and regularly updated on the website.

But if you’re after more convenience, clarity on fees and fairer exchange rates, Wise could be the better option.

Frequently asked questions

How much time does it take to send money with Zhongguo?

It can take anywhere between a few hours to two working days⁸ for the funds to arrive. It can depend whether there is a bank holiday or public holiday, as this can affect delivery time.

How can I check the status of a money transfer with Zhongguo?

When your transfer has gone through, you should receive a confirmation SMS. If you need any further updates you can check on your Individual Web Remit Log-in online, visit one of the branches, or reach out to Zhongguo directly at +65 6223 6366¹¹.

Zhongguo customer support in case transactions are stuck

There are a few ways to access Zhongguo’s customer support, you can go in person to the branch or contact customer service at +65 6223 6366¹¹.

You can also access the help and support centre on theirwebsite. They also have an easy way to contact them through Facebook, WeChat, and WhatsApp¹¹ to get questions answered quickly.

How to find a Zhongguo Remittance centre in Singapore

You’ll find the Zhongguo Remittance Centre in the People’s Park Complex, at 1 Park Road. You can reach it by bus or MRT¹¹.

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Sources used for this article:

1. Zhongguo Remittance home page
2. ChangCheng app - Google Play store
3. Zhongguo application form and guidance
4. Zhongguo Individual Web Remit Guide
5. Zhongguo Individual Remit Guide
6. Zhongguo app help
7. CashChanger rates and fees for Zhongguo Remittance
8. Zhongguo FAQs
9. Wise Singapore homepage
10. Send money with Wise
11. Zhongguo contact information

Sources checked on 25.07.2022.