How to call China from the USA
Need to call someone in China from the US? It’s easy when you know the right steps – and there are free and low-cost ways to do it too. All you need is the US exit code, China’s country code, and the local number. Here’s the format: 011 (US exit code) + 86 (China’s country code) + area code + local number.
Depending on how you call, there are a few different options:
1. Free ways to call China
If both you and the person in China have internet access, using a free calling app is the easiest choice:
- WeChat (especially popular in China)
- Skype
- Google Voice
These apps let you make voice or video calls for free over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
2. Cheap ways to call China
If you need to call a landline or mobile directly, try:
- International calling plans from your mobile provider (check their China rates)
- Prepaid calling cards
- VoIP services like Skype or Rebtel, which offer cheap per-minute rates
Tip: Some VoIP apps even offer your first few minutes free.
3. Calling from China
Calling from China to the US? You’ll need:
- 00 (China’s exit code) + 1 (US country code) + area code + local number
Again, WeChat and Skype are popular if you want to avoid high mobile rates.
Send money to China
If you’ve got friends or family in China, you might want to send more than just a phone call. Services like Paysend make it fast and secure to transfer money directly to a Chinese bank card or account – often in minutes* with low fees and great exchange rates.
*We will send your money in real-time but it can take up to three days depending on the bank account used.
Latest Posts
Sending money abroad should feel simple, but if your international transfer is delayed or not received, it’s natural to wonder what went wrong.
International money transfers can be delayed, held, or returned for several reasons, most commonly due to compliance checks, missing information, processing cut-off times, or intermediary bank reviews. Industry reporting suggests that while the majority of transfers complete successfully, a small but meaningful share requires manual handling or additional processing, which can cause delays.
It’s important to understand that international money transfers involve multiple institutions, compliance checks, and settlement systems. Because of this, delays or exceptions are not unusual and are typically linked to process or regulatory requirements rather than technical failures or user mistakes.
With that in mind, this guide explains why international transfers may not be received as expected, how often this happens and what you can realistically do next.
Following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24 June 2026, Paysend is waiving its transfer fee on money sent to Venezuela for two weeks, from 25 June to July 9 2026, so you can support family and friends without paying a fee. Exchange rates apply as normal, and you'll always see the full cost before you send.
