China to enhance rules against businesses that refuse to accept cash from Feb. 2026

Visitors to China who might not have the requisite cashless payment apps may sometimes find it slightly difficult to pay in cash.

While businesses may already face a fine for refusing to accept cash, the new regulations aim to strengthen existing laws by requiring them to offer a viable cash payment alternative.

Under the new regulations, which will come into effect on Feb. 1, 2026, entities that receive payments in person or provide face-to-face services must support cash payments.

This means that supermarkets, restaurants, and retailers in China can no longer claim to accept only digital payments, but not banknotes or coins.

Members of the public who encounter establishments that refuse to accept cash or implement discriminatory measures against cash payments can gather evidence and seek legal redress from the People's Bank of China, China's central bank.

The new regulations were jointly announced by the People's Bank of China, China's National Development and Reform Commission, and China's National Administration of Financial Regulation on Dec. 19, 2025.

In the announcement, the authorities said the regulations' aims include upholding the legal tender status of the renminbi, preventing and regulating entities' refusal to accept cash, and meeting the public's diverse payment services needs.

Top images via Canva & Surarak Wichupankul/Google