How credit reporting works in China
In China, borrowers must provide a credit report when applying for credit or loans.
The national credit reporting system is managed by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) through the China Credit Reference Center (CCRC).
The CCRC:
Operates and maintains China’s centralised credit reporting system
Collects data from Chinese lending institutions
Updates its database regularly
Covers hundreds of millions of consumers and millions of enterprises
This structure is similar to Australia’s system, where credit reporting bodies such as Equifax maintain consumer credit files.
Who can access a Chinese credit report?
An individual’s credit report may be accessed by:
Banks and lending institutions
Prospective employers (for background checks)
Landlords (for rental checks)
Overseas lenders and brokers
Access is only permitted with the individual’s consent.
How a client can obtain their credit report in China
Clients can access their own credit report in one of two ways.
In person
They can attend a local branch of the People’s Bank of China in one of 31 provincial cities and lodge a credit report request.
Online
They can apply through the CCRC online enquiry platform:
Important (Yellow)
The CCRC website is currently available in Chinese only. There is no English version.
You may need to guide your client on obtaining a translated copy for Australian lending purposes.
What is included in a Chinese credit report?
A Chinese consumer credit report contains four main sections.
Basic information
Includes personal identification details such as:
Full name
Identification type and number
Marital status
Credit payment information
This is the core section and includes:
Personal loans
Credit cards
Mortgage loans
Guarantees
Other credit facilities
Repayment history
Public records
Includes information from public authorities, such as:
Civil court judgments
Enforcement actions
Tax arrears
Administrative penalties
Query records
Lists credit report enquiries made by creditors in the previous two years.
These sections provide a consolidated view of the individual’s credit history and repayment behaviour.
Using a Chinese credit report in your assessment
When working with clients who have recently migrated or maintain financial commitments in China:
Request the most recent credit report directly from the client.
Ensure the client provides written consent before reviewing or sharing the report.
Consider obtaining a certified translation if required by the lender.
Confirm lender policy on accepting overseas credit reports.
See Assessing overseas income and liabilities for related guidance.
Compliance considerations
When handling overseas credit reports:
Treat the information as personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
Store documents securely within Mercury Nexus.
Do not retain unnecessary copies outside approved systems.
Important
Always confirm the relevant lender’s policy on international credit history before relying on a foreign credit report.
Need help?
If you need help assessing overseas credit information or compliance requirements, contact your Partnership Manager or email [email protected]