If you pay by UnionPay cards(card number starting with 62) abroad, the amount spent in local currency will be converted into RMB and debited into your account. When you are back in China, you can repay with RMB directly without having to pay anything more than the value of commodities. If you pay by bankcards issued by other card organizations, the amount spent in local currency will be converted into another foreign currency based on relevant exchange rate and debited into your account. When you are back in China, you will have to purchase foreign currency for repayment. Due to the fee incurred in the currency conversion process, the final expenses calculated in RMB will generally be 1%-2% higher than the actual value of commodities purchased. This margin is called currency conversion fee.
 
Therefore, we recommend you to pay by UnionPay cards when shopping abroad; if you use bankcards issued by other card organizations please see if there is UnionPay logo on the card face. If there is, we suggest that you inquire the cashier about the availability of payment through UnionPay channel by which you can also avoid the “currency conversion fee”.

For more information about the privileges of overseas use of UnionPay cards, please refer to the “Global Offer” column on the official website of UnionPay International.