ID and Cash Limits for Buying Silver in China
Since 1 August 2025, dealers in silver, gold and other precious metals in China must verify your ID and report the deal to the anti-money-laundering centre when you pay RMB 100,000 or more in cash, in one go or across one day. Silver is named in the rules. There is no legal cap on paying cash. The local rules on registering sellers' ID are written for gold, so whether they cover silver isn't stated.
Facts checked 31 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| Situation | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buying | ID check when cash is RMB 100,000 or more in a single deal or in one day. | Also at any amount if the dealer suspects money laundering. |
| Paying cash | No legal cap. | Card, WeChat Pay and Alipay payments don't trigger the dealer's cash threshold. |
| Selling | No national ID threshold for selling silver found. | Shanghai and Shenzhen rules on registering sellers name gold; whether they cover silver isn't stated. |
| Reported | Dealer: cash of RMB 100,000+. Banks: cash of RMB 50,000+ (or US$10,000). | Dealers report within 5 working days; suspicious deals at any amount. |
The rules in detail
- The People's Bank of China's measures for precious-metal and gemstone businesses (《贵金属和宝石从业机构反洗钱和反恐怖融资管理办法》, 银发〔2025〕124号) took effect on 1 August 2025 under the revised Anti-Money Laundering Law. They cover dealers in gold, silver and other precious metals and in gems.
- For cash of RMB 100,000 or more (or the foreign-currency equivalent), single or added up over the day, the dealer must check your ID and record your name, contact details, and ID type, number and expiry date. Dealers may not serve anonymous customers or people using someone else's ID.
- The dealer sends a large-value transaction report to the China Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring and Analysis Center within five working days and keeps records for at least 10 years. Because daily totals count, splitting a cash purchase over the same day doesn't avoid the report.
- Banks separately report cash deposits and withdrawals of RMB 50,000 or more (or US$10,000) a day. Revised bank reporting measures took effect on 1 December 2025. New customer due-diligence rules from 1 January 2026 dropped a draft plan to make individuals explain the source of cash deposits or withdrawals over RMB 50,000.
- There is no general limit on paying cash in China.
When you sell
- The Shanghai Gold Jewelry Industry Association's February 2026 guidance (copy the seller's ID, keep a ledger for two years, report suspicious sellers to the police) is aimed at gold recycling and is guidance, not law. Whether members apply it to silver isn't stated.
- Shenzhen's Shuibei market police rule (April 2024) sets real-name registration for gold deals of RMB 20,000+ a day; silver isn't mentioned.
- Shops may still ask for ID and pay only into an account in your own name.
Gold and travel
- Gold falls under the same RMB 100,000 cash rule.
- Declare more than RMB 20,000 in yuan cash or US$5,000 in foreign cash when crossing the border.
Silver ID and Cash Limits in China: FAQ
Do I need ID to buy silver in China?
The law requires it when you pay RMB 100,000 or more in cash in one deal or one day, or if the dealer suspects money laundering. Silver is named in the 2025 dealer rules. Card and mobile payments don't trigger this cash rule.
Is there a cash limit for buying silver in China?
No legal cap, but cash of RMB 100,000 or more triggers an ID check and a report by the dealer.
Do I need ID to sell silver in China?
No national rule sets an amount for silver below the RMB 100,000 cash threshold. The local seller-registration rules found are written for gold, but shops may still ask for ID and pay into an account in your name.
Sources (6)
- China News: PBOC measures for precious-metal and gemstone dealers (2025)
- Yicai Global: China tightens reporting rules for gold and jewellery retailers
- AIG China: AML brochure quoting large-value transaction thresholds (2026)
- NBD: customer due-diligence measures from 1 January 2026 drop RMB 50,000 cash rule
- Eastmoney: Shanghai gold jewellery association recycling guidance (February 2026)
- RFA: Shenzhen real-name registration for gold deals over RMB 20,000
General information for individuals buying or selling silver, checked October 2026. Rules change and dealers may ask for more than the legal minimum; check with the dealer or the regulator. Not legal advice.