Use this guide to determine whether a China 400, 800, or Local DID is the right choice for your business in 2026.

1. China 400 Numbers: The Modern Standard

China 400 numbers are the favored replacement for traditional 800 numbers. While technically a "shared-cost" number, they are widely referred to as "toll-free" in China because they remove long-distance charges for the caller.

• Universal Access: Unlike 800 numbers, a single 400 number covers all of China and is fully accessible from both landlines and mobile phones.

• Shared Cost: The caller pays a minimal local rate (similar to a local call), while the business pays the minute rate. This prevents "prank" calls while keeping barriers to entry low.

• Cultural Note: In some regions, the number "4" is associated with "unlucky" connotations (it sounds similar to the word for death). While this is less of a factor in modern Tier-1 cities, AVOXI offers premium 400 numbers ending in lucky digits like 8 (prosperity) or 9 (longevity) to maximize brand appeal.

• Registration: Requires a business license, passport, and a utility bill.

  
  

  
  

2. China DID Numbers: Local Credibility

A Direct Inward Dialing (DID) number provides a local area code for a specific city (e.g., Beijing 10, Shanghai 21).

• Localized Trust: Ideal for establishing a physical "boots on the ground" feel in a specific market or working with regional vendors.

• Mobile Accessible: Callers can reach these numbers from any device.

• High Capacity: While a limit of 2 channels is standard in the industry, AVOXI provides unlimited channels on select China DIDs to handle high-volume traffic.

• Registration: Requires a business license, passport, and utility bill.

  
  

  
  

3. China 800 Numbers: Landline Legacy

The 800 number is the traditional toll-free format but comes with significant limitations in a mobile-first economy.

• Landline Only: Mobile phones cannot access 800 numbers in China. They are only reachable from physical landlines.

• Regional Fragmentation: Complete national coverage often requires two 800 numbers—one for Northern China and one for Southern China.

• Zero Cost to Caller: These are 100% free for the caller.

• Best For: Counseling services or B2B support centers where your customers primarily call from office desk phones.

At-a-Glance Comparison Table

China Compliance & Data Handling

All China numbers are subject to strict regulatory oversight. In alignment with our [Global Compliance & Data Management Guide], AVOXI ensures your registration documents are stored securely in Google Cloud and maintained for the mandatory one-year retention period following any number cancellation.

💡 Expansion News: AVOXI has recently expanded coverage in China, offering new local numbers in emerging tech hubs. Contact support@avoxi.com to see if your target city is now available.