How to send some money from US to China?

Here are three ways (summarized from Caltech-C's discussion list) to transfer some small amount of money from US to China. Probably good for poor graduate students, and probably not good for business people. (If you also want to transfer the US $ to RMB yuans, there is a limitation of 10,000$ each month for each account to transfer. Ask your bank in China to make sure the up-to-date policies)

Via Bank Of China (New York) (experience from Xiaoke):

The easiest way to send money as far as I know is through Bank of China (New York). Each transfer cost $20 (electronic) or $10 (non-eletronic)

If you don't have Bank of China account in New York, each transfer is at most $3000. IF you do, the limit is $10,000.

They have forms available on Bank of China (New York) website. Finish the form and send it to bank of China, New York, with your check. It takes 10 days to cash the check and 1-2 days to finish electronic transfer. Well, if you are in New York, bring cash with you to Bank of China, your parents will receive the money in 1-2 days, definitely, this is electronic transfer.

Via any US Bank or Credit Union:

(from Lijun's and my experience):

Get the SWIFT code for the banks in China that you parents want to receive your money (You have to be detailed to "branch" in each city or each district). E.g. if you want to wire to a branch of Bank Of China in China, they have a website for the SWIFT code for major cities.

Also, get the name, telephone number, and address of branch of bank. Get your parents' name and account number.

Go to your bank in US and ask them to "wire" the amount of money to your (parents') account in China.

Note:

• the time of the wiring is not bounded. But it usually finishes in a week or two.
• US banks will charge transaction fee for the wiring. Usually 15$~50$ for each transaction, or 0.1% percent of the amount and etc.
• If you do not have an account in a US bank, the bank will probably limit the amount of transaction (e.g. <2000$) and/or limit the payment menthod (e.g. cash only).
• I only tried to send to Bank Of China, but I believe it is also OK to transfer the money to other banks in China, as long as you have the SWIFT code. (Industrial and Commercial Bank Of China should be OK, at least.)

Via Check:

You can use your personal check, just like you pay your bill, write a check for your father or mother, put the check in the envelope, mail it
to your parents. Your parents cash your check in Bank of China, for example.

Note:

• the time is about a month or more for your parents to get the amount of money on Bank of China's account (by Xiaoke and Xin's experience)
• The banks in China may also impose some transaction fee. (about 0.1%?)