Do I need to use a VPN to use PayPal in China? How can I open a PayPal account if I am under 18 years old?

In mainland China, due to the existence of the Internet firewall, it is often necessary to use a circumvention tool to access international websites. This article will discuss whether it is necessary to circumvent the firewall to use PayPal in mainland China, and how to deal with the problem of users under the age of 18 opening a PayPal account.

1. Issues with accessing PayPal in mainland China:

PayPal's official website is usually not directly accessible in mainland China. This is because mainland China has implemented strict Internet censorship, the so-called "Great Firewall", to monitor and restrict access to foreign websites. This means that when you try to access PayPal's official website, you may encounter the following problems:

Website not accessible: You may experience connection errors or webpage not opening when trying to access the PayPal official website.

App not available for download: PayPal’s mobile app is generally not available in app stores in mainland China, so you cannot conduct transactions through the app.

Payment restrictions: Even if you use a PayPal account in mainland China, due to policies and restrictions, you may be affected by some payment restrictions, such as the inability to pay with PayPal balance or the inability to link a mainland China bank card.

2. How to access PayPal via VPN:

To access PayPal in mainland China, you usually need to use a virtual private network (VPN) or other circumvention tools. These tools can help you bypass Internet firewalls and access blocked websites, including PayPal. Here are some basic steps on how to use a VPN to access PayPal:

Choose a reliable VPN service: Choose a reliable VPN service provider that can provide stable and fast connections to international servers.

Download and install the VPN app: Download and install your chosen VPN application or software. Most VPN providers offer apps for a variety of devices, including computers, phones, and tablets.

Connect to a VPN server: Open the VPN app, select a server location, usually one located abroad, and tap the Connect button.

Access PayPal: Once connected to the VPN server, you can open your browser and try to access the official PayPal website. You should be able to successfully access and log in to your PayPal account.

Please note that while using a VPN will allow you to access PayPal, there may be legal and policy risks associated with using a VPN in mainland China. Therefore, please ensure the legality of your use of a VPN and proceed with caution.

3. How to open a PayPal account if you are under 18 years old:

In mainland China, users under the age of 18 are also interested in opening a PayPal account, but PayPal usually requires users to be at least 18 years old to have their own account. However, parents or legal guardians can open a PayPal account on behalf of minors by following the steps below:

Parents or legal guardians open an account: Parents or legal guardians can register a PayPal account on the PayPal official website and select "Personal Account" or "Merchant Account" in the account type.

Add a bank account or card: Parents or legal guardians can link their bank account or card to their PayPal account to facilitate transactions.

Authorization for Use: A parent or legal guardian can add their minor child's information to a PayPal account and authorize them to use the account for transactions.

Monitoring Transactions: Parents or legal guardians should monitor transactions on their PayPal accounts regularly to ensure account security and compliance.

It is important to note that PayPal’s policies and regulations are subject to change, so before opening an account on behalf of a minor, it is recommended to check PayPal’s official website for the latest information.