If you’re an Indonesian buyer sourcing wet wipes machines from China, June 2026 brought a major shift: direct RMB (Chinese Yuan) payment is now available through the newly launched Indonesia-China cross-border clearing system.
On June 11, 2026, the People’s Bank of China and Bank Indonesia held their second governor-level meeting and signed the RMB Clearing Arrangement Memorandum. At the same time, Indonesia’s Bank Mandiri officially connected to China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), and cross-border QR code payment between the two countries went live.
What this means for machinery buyers: you can now settle wet wipes machine purchases in RMB instead of USD, potentially saving 2–4% on forex conversion costs—especially valuable when you’re paying for a $50,000–$150,000 production line.
(Source: Bloomberg; 驻印度尼西亚大使馆经济商务处, June 2026)
How RMB Payment Works for Indonesian Buyers
Before June 2026, the typical payment flow looked like this:
- Indonesian buyer converts IDR → USD (bank spread: ~1.5–2%)
- USD wire transfer to Chinese supplier (fees: $30–$50 + intermediary bank charges)
- Chinese supplier converts USD → CNY (another 1–2% spread)
Total hidden cost: 3–4% of invoice value, plus 3–7 days processing time.
Now with the RMB clearing system:
- Indonesian buyer converts IDR → RMB directly through participating banks (Bank Mandiri, BCA, BRI—check with your bank)
- RMB payment settles through CIPS within 1–2 business days
- Chinese supplier receives RMB directly, no USD conversion needed
Savings: 2–4% on forex spreads, faster settlement, and full traceability through the bilateral clearing system.
Real Example: $80,000 Wet Wipes Machine Purchase
Old route (USD):
- Invoice: $80,000 USD
- IDR → USD conversion loss: ~$1,600 (2% bank spread)
- Wire fees: $50
- Intermediary bank fees: $25–$50
- Total cost: $81,675–$81,700 USD equivalent
New route (RMB):
- Invoice: ¥580,000 CNY (approx. $80,000 at 7.25 rate)
- IDR → RMB conversion via Bank Mandiri: ~¥5,800 spread (1%)
- CIPS settlement fee: minimal (typically ¥50–¥100)
- Total cost: ¥585,900 CNY ≈ $80,810 USD equivalent
Savings: $890–$890 USD (over 1% of invoice), plus 2–4 days faster settlement.
Which Banks in Indonesia Support RMB Payment?
As of June 2026:
- Bank Mandiri (officially connected to CIPS)
- BCA and BRI (rollout in progress, check with your branch)
- More banks are joining—contact your relationship manager and ask about “RMB cross-border settlement” or “CNY payment to China.”
How to Set It Up
- Open an RMB account with a participating Indonesian bank. This is usually a separate currency sub-account under your business account.
- Request RMB payment terms from your Chinese supplier. Ask them for:
- Company name in Chinese (for CIPS routing)
- Bank name and SWIFT/BIC code
- RMB account number
- Their bank’s participation in CIPS (most major Chinese banks are connected)
- Convert IDR → RMB through your bank. Timing matters: if the USD/CNY rate is volatile, lock in your conversion when the rate favors RMB.
- Initiate the transfer via your bank’s trade finance or international payment desk. Provide the proforma invoice and supplier bank details. Settlement typically completes in 1–2 business days (vs. 3–7 days for USD wire).
FAQ: RMB Payment for Wet Wipes Machines
Q: Can I still pay in USD if I prefer?
A: Yes. RMB payment is optional. If your supplier quotes in USD and you’re comfortable with traditional banking, USD still works. RMB is simply a new cost-saving option.
Q: What if the RMB/IDR rate moves between quote and payment?
A: Same risk as USD/IDR. Consider locking in a forward contract with your bank if you’re risk-averse, or pay promptly after receiving the quote to minimize exposure.
Q: Does this affect import duties or taxes?
A: No. Indonesian customs duties are based on the CIF value in USD equivalent, regardless of payment currency. RMB payment only affects your forex costs, not your import taxes.
Q: Is there a maximum transaction limit?
A: The Indonesia-China currency swap facility now stands at 400 billion RMB ($55 billion USD equivalent), so liquidity is ample for machinery trade. Individual transaction limits depend on your bank—check with your account manager.
Why This Matters Now
The Indonesia-China RMB clearing system is part of a broader push to reduce reliance on USD for regional trade. For buyers, that means:
- Lower transaction costs (fewer intermediaries)
- Faster settlement (direct bilateral clearing, no SWIFT delays)
- Better forex predictability (if you’re importing regularly, you can hold RMB balances and time your purchases)
If you’re buying wet wipes machines, packaging equipment, or any machinery from China on a recurring basis (e.g., upgrading lines annually), switching to RMB settlement can save you $2,000–$5,000 per year depending on your order volume.
Internal Links:
- Browse our [Wet Wipes Production Lines]()
- [$99 Supplier Verification Service]() – confirm your supplier’s bank details before first payment
Get a Quote in 24 Hours (RMB or USD)
We work with Indonesian buyers regularly and can quote in RMB or USD based on your preference. If you’re exploring RMB payment for the first time, we’ll walk you through the process and connect you with verified suppliers who are set up for CIPS.
📩 Email: sales@zhenbaotrading.com
📱 WhatsApp: +852 9702 5284
🌐 Website: https://zhenbaotrading.com
Maggie (岳乙晴)
Founder / Sales Director
Zhenbao Trading | Machinery Sales & China Sourcing Agent
5 years in cross-border machinery trade