Freelance in China

Freelance in China: how freelancers pay taxes, get paid by foreign clients and find work, and which skills are in demand. Hire or offer services on Kits.

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The freelance market in China

China has a vast freelance economy on domestic platforms, in design, development, e-commerce, video and translation. Most foreign platforms are blocked, and cross-border work requires a VPN and foreign payment routes.

Taxes and legal status

When a Chinese company pays an individual for services, it usually withholds tax on labour remuneration, which is then reconciled in the annual comprehensive income tax filing. Freelancers with steady business can register an individual business (个体工商户) with simpler taxes. Foreign currency income is subject to exchange controls, with annual conversion quotas for individuals.

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

Local clients pay through Alipay, WeChat Pay and bank transfers. Foreign payments come by SWIFT or through Payoneer and PayPal, but converting them is subject to exchange rules.

Alipay
WeChat Pay
SWIFT transfers
Payoneer and PayPal

Skills in demand

e-commerce design and operations
software development
video production for short-video platforms
translation between Chinese and English
manufacturing and sourcing consulting
game art

Tips for freelancers in China

Plan around the annual currency conversion quota.
Cross-border e-commerce sellers need English content and design.
Keep a stable VPN if you work with foreign clients.

Hiring a freelancer from China

Local time in China is UTC+8, so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in China

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in China can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.

Popular categories

All categories

Design Development & IT Writing & Translation Marketing & SMM Video & Animation Business Music & Audio

Frequently asked questions

Help center

How are freelancers taxed in China?

Freelance pay is usually taxed as labour remuneration with withholding by the client, or through a registered individual business (个体工商户). Rules change, so check the current rates with the tax authority or an accountant before you register.

How do freelancers in China get paid by foreign clients?

The usual options are Alipay, WeChat Pay, SWIFT transfers and Payoneer and PayPal. Which one suits you depends on the client's country, the fees and how fast you need the money.

Which freelance skills are in demand in China?

e-commerce design and operations, software development, video production for short-video platforms, translation between Chinese and English, manufacturing and sourcing consulting and game art.

Can I find a freelancer in China on Kits?

Yes. Kits is open to clients and freelancers from any country. Search the catalogue or post a job, compare portfolios and reviews, and agree on the details in the chat.