China Calling Rates
Calling China costs $1.84/min to landlines and $2.49/min to mobiles via Kinvo, plus a one-time $0.05 connection fee per answered call. No subscription, no minimums, credits never expire.
For dialing instructions, see how to call China. For number-format and code reference, see the China country code page. For a complete walkthrough, read our full China calling guide.
About Calling China
At $1.84/min to landlines and $2.49/min to mobiles, calling China is in the higher tier for Asia — driven by upstream termination fees from local operators. Add the one-time $0.05 connection fee — charged only when the call is answered — and you have the full cost. No subscription, no monthly minimum, credits never expire.
First-generation immigrants, international students, and professionals on H-1B visas call parents and grandparents in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) and Mid-Autumn Festival are the peak calling days of the year — WeChat covers most day-to-day contact, but Kinvo is the reliable option when relatives only have a regular phone or when WeChat connectivity fails. Best calling window: 7 PM–9 PM US Eastern = 7 AM–9 AM Beijing (morning) or 6 AM–8 AM US ET = 6 PM–8 PM Beijing (evening family time).
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China Calling Rates
| Type | Per Minute | Connection Fee | 10 min call | 30 min call | 60 min call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Landline Fixed-line phone numbers | $1.84 | $0.05 | $18.45 | $55.25 | $110.45 |
Mobile Cell / mobile phone numbers | $2.49 | $0.05 | $24.95 | $74.75 | $149.45 |
Rates are per minute. Connection fee is charged once per call, only when the call is answered. Rates are in USD.
Kinvo vs US Carrier Rates to China
Major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) charge international pay-per-use rates to China unless you subscribe to an add-on plan. Here is how Kinvo compares for a typical 30-minute call:
| Provider | Per Minute | 30-min Call | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kinvo (this site) | $1.84 | $55.25 | $0 |
| Typical US carrier pay-per-use | $1.99 | $59.70 | $0 |
| Carrier international add-on | ~$0.25 | ~$7.50 | $10–$15 |
Carrier rates are approximate published rates as of 2026. Kinvo has no subscription — only pay-as-you-go credits that never expire.
Connection Fee Explained
Kinvo charges a flat $0.05 connection fee per call to China. This fee is charged only when the call is answered by the recipient. You are never charged for:
- -Calls that are not answered (no pickup)
- -Calls that reach a busy signal
- -Calls that fail to connect due to network issues
- -Calls you cancel before the recipient answers
For example, a 10-minute call to a China landline costs: $0.05 + (10 x $1.84) = $18.45. A 10-minute call to a China mobile costs: $0.05 + (10 x $2.49) = $24.95.
How Much Does It Cost to Call China?
Pre-computed costs for typical call durations to a China landline at $1.84/min and a China mobile at $2.49/min, including the $0.05 connection fee.
| Call duration | Landline cost | Mobile cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | $1.89 | $2.54 |
| 5 minutes | $9.25 | $12.50 |
| 15 minutes | $27.65 | $37.40 |
| 30 minutes | $55.25 | $74.75 |
| 60 minutes | $110.45 | $149.45 |
Need a custom estimate? Use the call cost calculator to compare any duration and rate.
Cheaper than China Calling Cards
International calling cards advertise low per-minute rates to China but pad costs with connection fees ($0.09–$0.99 per call), maintenance fees ($0.50–$2 per week), and per-minute rounding that can double the effective rate. A $10 calling card to China typically delivers 60–70% of the advertised minutes after fees.
Cheaper than Your Carrier's China Rates
US mobile carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) charge $1.00–$3.00 per minute for direct-dialed calls to China. Their international add-on plans run $10–$15/month and often exclude mobile numbers — meaning a 30-minute call to a China mobile on a carrier plan can still cost $30+. The same call on Kinvo costs $74.75.
A common trap: assuming WiFi calling makes international calls cheap. It does not — WiFi calling still bills at carrier international rates. See WiFi calling vs VoIP for international calls for the full breakdown.
Start Calling China Today
Create an account and start calling to China in under two minutes. No install required. Use it in under 2 minutes.
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China Pricing — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 30-minute call to China cost?
A 30-minute call to a China landline costs $55.25 and a 30-minute mobile call costs $74.75. That's $1.84/min × 30 plus the one-time $0.05 connection fee. Shorter and longer durations are in the cost ladder above.
Why is calling China more expensive on mobile than landline?
Mobile carriers in China charge interconnect fees (mobile termination rates) that exceed fixed-line operators. Kinvo passes the difference through transparently: $1.84/min for landlines vs $2.49/min for mobiles — no surcharge on premium carriers within the same category.
Is Kinvo cheaper than calling China with my US phone plan?
In most cases, yes. US carriers charge $1–$3 per minute pay-per-use to China. Kinvo starts at $1.84/min with no monthly subscription — a 30-minute call costs $55.25 on Kinvo vs $30+ on a typical US carrier pay-per-use plan.
Are there any hidden fees when calling China?
No. The only charges are the per-minute rate and a $0.05 connection fee, billed only when the call is answered. No subscription, no minimums, no surcharges for premium carriers, and credits never expire.
Do Kinvo credits expire?
No. Credits stay in your account indefinitely. No hidden fees, no expiration dates — only what you actually spend on calls is deducted.