Emergency Funds

Sending Money Overseas

The fastest and most efficient method to send money internationally, including to China, is via Western Union. Although slower than Western Union, the U.S. Department of State can assist relatives in the U.S. who wish to send money in an emergency. The Consulate cannot cash checks. If for some reason an American citizen becomes destitute in China, the ACS Unit can assist in contacting family members or friends who can send money.

What are the different methods for my friends and family to send
emergency funds to China?

OCS Trust

An OCS Trust can be used to send money to a U.S. citizen in an emergency financial situation. When one uses this service, a Department of State trust account is established in the recipient’s name in order to forward funds overseas. There is a $30 processing fee. The person sending the funds must transfer the money to the Department of State via Western Union, bank wire, or cashier’s check. Upon receipt, the Department of State sends a telegram to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad authorizing next workday disbursement. The recipient must contact the Embassy or Consulate to arrange receipt; funds are normally disbursed in the foreign country’s currency and not in U.S. dollars. Depending on the method used to transfer funds to the Department of State, it can take 3-10 business days to complete the transfer to the recipient overseas.

Western Union 

In light of the time required to process an OCS Trust transaction, many prefer to work directly with Western Union to send money overseas. Western Union operates in China in partnership with the China Courier Service Corp. The money transfer information is sent through the company's international computer network. The recipient can collect the funds a few minutes after the transaction is complete. Funds can be picked up in person, or delivered by courier to the recipient at the address provided by the sender. At present, only US dollars or Chinese RenMinBi Yuan can by transferred through this service. Western Union charges a 0.5% service fee. They have two locations in Shanghai.

MoneyGram

Similar to Western Union, MoneyGram transfers funds electronically through its network of over 50,000 international agents. However, unlike Western Union, which charges a flat fee, MoneyGram’s fee is based on the origination and destination cities, amount of money sent, and the desired speed of transaction. MoneyGram has many locations in the Shanghai Consular District, including six locations in Shanghai, two in Nanjing, and one each in Wuxi, Suzhou and Ningbo. Most CITIC Industrial Banks are MoneyGram Agents.

What if no one can send me money?

In certain emergency cases, the U.S. Consulate may be able to help a destitute American return home. However, applicants must meet strict criteria in order to qualify for a loan, and will not be permitted to leave the U.S. again until they repay the full amount of their loan. Assistance cannot be provided to pay existing debts.

Contact Information:

OCS Trust
Room 4811
Department of State
2201 C St. NW Washington, D.C. 20520
8AM - 10PM weekdays 9AM - 3PM Saturday
202-647-5225

Western Union
1-800-325-6000
www.westernunion.com

In Shanghai:
1337 Huai Hai Zhong Lu
6437-4071
7 Si Nan Lu
6384-8398

In Hangzhou:
188 Zhong Shan Zhong Lu
0571-8702-8367

In Nanjing:
396 Hong Wu Lu
025-8454-8879

MoneyGram
1-800-MONEYGRAM
(1-800-666-3947)
1-800-926-9400
www.moneygram.com

In Shanghai:
Citic Industrial Bank
1375 Huai Hai Zhong Lu