Can I pay suppliers in China or Hong Kong from a US business account?

Yes, if your account provider supports it, so ask before you rely on one. Shield pays suppliers in China and Hong Kong. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on your business.

Why this is harder than it sounds

US businesses regularly buy from factories in China and trading companies in Hong Kong, but not every account makes the payment easy. Providers set their own rules on which countries and business types they support. Check three things with any provider before you place an order:

1. Is the destination country supported for outbound payments?
2. How are payments screened, and how long can that take?
3. What does the supplier receive, in which currency, and after which fees?

What you need to pay a supplier

Get these from the supplier, in writing, before you send money:

• Beneficiary name exactly as it appears on the bank account, matching the supplier's legal company name.
• Account number, bank name and bank address.
• SWIFT code, for international wires.
• A current invoice that matches the order.

A mismatch in any of these can delay or return a payment. Confirm the details by phone, using a number you already had, not one from the email that sent them. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center warns about business email compromise and advises verifying any request to change account information through a second channel (IC3).

Choosing a payment method

• Wire. The usual choice for production orders. Many Chinese exporters hold US dollar accounts.
• Card. Works when the supplier or platform accepts cards. Often used for samples and smaller orders.
• Platform checkout. On trade marketplaces, paying inside the platform may preserve buyer protection. Read the current terms.
• Letter of credit. Suits large or first-time orders, with extra cost and paperwork.

How Shield handles it

Shield is a US account and business credit card built for importers, exporters and wholesalers. With a Shield account you get US account and routing numbers in your company's name and can send wire payments to suppliers. Shield also pays suppliers in China and Hong Kong.

Shield accounts are for US companies. Owners can live outside the US, with a US company. Every account needs a clear description of what your business does and where its money comes from, and payments are screened before they process.

FAQ

Do I need a US company to use a US business account for China payments? With Shield, yes: you need a US company, though the owners can live outside the US. Shield also offers a US LLC setup if you do not have one yet.

Which currency will my supplier receive? Ask your supplier what they prefer. Many hold US dollar accounts. Confirm the currency on the invoice before you send.

Will Shield approve my business? Shield reviews each business before an account goes live, and approval is not guaranteed. Book a call with the team to talk through your situation.

Next step

To see whether Shield fits how you pay suppliers, visit Shield bank accounts.