Before you consign your paycheck to a continent-crossing carrier pigeon, consider using your bank account (cheapest) or Western Union (fastest, convenient if you're on the road). Note that approval must be obtained from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange to transfer RMB sums over USD 10,000 in value.
If you have an account in a major bank,hen you can directly transfer unlimited sums of money to or from your bank account in your home country. Telegraphic transfers via the SWIFT network usually take one to three working days, though it may be longer depending on the two banks' relationship. Or, if you are not in a hurry, you can have the Chinese bank issue a demand draft, which you then mail to or present directly at the home bank. The demand draft method incurs no flat fee, but is slower. If you are transferring between currencies, banks will apply the current exchange rate; there may also be a conversion fee, so check first. Bank of China will also process money transfers for cash, with an additional 1-3 percent fee for foreign currency notes.
Money transfers via Western Union arrive in just 15 minutes, but the steep fees make this option recommended only for stranded travelers who need money in a hurry or can't access their bank accounts. With counters at China Post and the Agricultural Bank, Western Union has the convenience of thousands of locations in China (including 549 in Beijing). Some branches of China Post can pay out money in US dollars - call for specific locations. China Post locations can send a max of USD 2,000 and receive a max of USD 10,000. Agricultural Bank limits receiving to USD 20,000 but has no maximum sending limit. Transfers to African countries operate on a different fee schedule (USD 13-85 for the first USD 2,500).
Western Union (800 820 8668, China Post Beijing 6659 9111 ext 8459) www.westemunion.com