UnionPay is China’s bank card network: most bank cards issued in mainland China carry its logo, and it also runs QR code and mobile payments. Its international arm, UnionPay International, extends card acceptance abroad. For a foreign merchant, UnionPay is the method that serves Chinese shoppers who pay with a bank card rather than a wallet.
What UnionPay is
China UnionPay was founded in Shanghai in 2002 to connect the card networks of Chinese banks, hence its name. Anyone with a Chinese bank card can pay through it, in stores, online and from abroad. In 2025, the UnionPay interbank payment system processed 380.38 billion transactions, according to the People’s Bank of China.
UnionPay payments take several forms:
- Bank cards: debit and credit cards used at POS terminals and on websites, with contactless payment and installment plans offered by some banks.
- QR code and mobile payments: UnionPay’s QuickPass, also known as the Cloud QuickPass app, lets cardholders pay by QR code or with their phone.
- Online and B2B payments: an online gateway for card payments on websites, and a B2B payment through corporate online banking for transactions between companies.
- Payments abroad: UnionPay cards can be used in 183 countries and regions, according to UnionPay International, which makes them useful to Chinese nationals living or traveling abroad.
How a merchant integrates UnionPay
- Merchant account: a company applies through an acquiring bank or a payment institution that accepts UnionPay cards, with its company documents. A merchant outside China usually goes through its own acquirer, if it accepts UnionPay.
- Integration method: the UnionPay Open Platform offers an SDK for native iOS and Android apps and for mobile web (H5) pages, and APIs for payment, refunds and transaction queries. Desktop websites, mobile websites and apps use different products, and the B2B payment adds an authentication step with the company’s USB key.
- Testing and launch: every payment flow is tested in UnionPay’s test environment before going live.
These steps are the same whether UnionPay is your only method or part of a Chinese checkout with WeChat Pay and Alipay. Our team handles China payment gateway integration on websites, apps and Mini Programs, and our comparison of China payment gateways explains which methods to offer first.
How UnionPay differs from Alipay and WeChat Pay
Alipay and WeChat Pay are mobile wallets, and they lead everyday mobile payments in China. UnionPay is the card layer underneath: many wallet users fund their account with a UnionPay bank card, and UnionPay’s own QuickPass is less widely used as a wallet. For an online store, the practical consequence is simple: offer Alipay and WeChat Pay first, then UnionPay for shoppers who prefer to pay by card, including corporate buyers.
How QPSoftware can help
QPSoftware has added UnionPay to e-commerce websites next to the Chinese wallets. For Lucrin Geneva, the localized website accepts Alipay, UnionPay and WeChat Pay, and the PrestaShop store of Baby International Blu takes Alipay, UnionPay and Visa/MasterCard. If your customers are in China, our developers can integrate Chinese payment methods into your checkout, UnionPay included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign company accept UnionPay cards?
Yes. UnionPay cards are accepted abroad through acquiring banks and payment institutions that work with UnionPay International. A merchant outside China should first ask its own acquirer or payment provider whether UnionPay is supported, and on which channels. A company with an entity in mainland China applies for a domestic merchant account through a bank or a payment institution.
Is UnionPay the same as a Visa or Mastercard card?
UnionPay is a card network, like Visa or Mastercard, but it is the one most Chinese banks use for their domestic cards. Some Chinese banks also issue cards with both UnionPay and an international network. A shopper with a UnionPay-only card can pay wherever UnionPay is accepted, which is why Chinese online stores and many shops abroad offer it at checkout.
Should I offer UnionPay if I already accept Alipay and WeChat Pay?
Often, yes. Alipay and WeChat Pay cover most mobile payments, but some shoppers prefer to pay by bank card, and companies paying another company may use UnionPay’s B2B payment through corporate online banking. Adding UnionPay to a Chinese checkout removes a reason to abandon the purchase. The right mix depends on your customers and channels.