Complete list of SWIFT/BIC codes for Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) in the United Arab Emirates. Find the right code for international wire transfers to ICBC accounts in UAE. ICBC operates two licensed branches in the UAE – one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai (DIFC) – each with its own dedicated SWIFT/BIC code.
Quick Reference
For international transfers to ICBC in the UAE, use ICBKAEAA for the Abu Dhabi Branch and ICBKAEAD for the Dubai (DIFC) Branch. Both codes also accept the 11-character form (ICBKAEAAXXX / ICBKAEADXXX) when the sender’s payment form requires exactly 11 characters. Always choose the code that matches the city in which the beneficiary account is held.
ICBC UAE Head Office SWIFT Code
Abu Dhabi Branch – Country Head Office
All ICBC SWIFT Codes by Branch in the UAE
Abu Dhabi Branch
Dubai Branch
Related ICBC SWIFT Codes (Reference Only)
Legacy and Historical ICBC UAE Codes
Before its current structure, ICBC’s regional presence in the UAE was operated under different SWIFT records. The codes below are no longer active for new inward remittances and are listed only so that recipients of older invoices, contracts or banking instructions can identify them. Do not use these codes for new transfers – use ICBKAEAA (Abu Dhabi) or ICBKAEAD (Dubai DIFC) instead.
ICBC SWIFT Codes Summary Table
| SWIFT Code | Branch / Department | Emirate | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICBKAEAA | Abu Dhabi Branch | Abu Dhabi | Addax Tower, Offices 5207-5209, Al Reem Island |
| ICBKAEAD | Dubai (DIFC) Branch | Dubai | 5 & 6 Floor, Gate Village 01, DIFC |
Understanding the ICBC SWIFT Code
A SWIFT code consists of 8 or 11 characters:
Bank Code
Country
Location
Branch
ICBC UAE Branch and Location Codes
ICBK
Bank Identifier – Industrial and Commercial Bank of ChinaAE
Country Code – United Arab EmiratesAA
Location segment for the Abu Dhabi Branch (ICBKAEAA)AD
Location segment for the Dubai (DIFC) Branch (ICBKAEAD)XXX
Default branch code used in 11-character formCN
Country code used in ICBC China codes (e.g. ICBKCNBJ) – not for UAE accounts
Important: the location segment AD in ICBKAEAD does not stand for “Abu Dhabi”. It is simply the SWIFT location identifier assigned to the Dubai (DIFC) Branch record. The Abu Dhabi Branch uses AA as its location segment.
How to Send Money to ICBC in the UAE
To make an international wire transfer to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in the UAE, you’ll need the following information:
Required Information for Wire Transfer
- SWIFT/BIC Code
Select ICBKAEAA for an Abu Dhabi account or ICBKAEAD for a Dubai (DIFC) account - Beneficiary’s IBAN
23-character UAE IBAN starting with AE (e.g., AE07 0000 1234 5678 9012 345) - Beneficiary’s Full Name
Exactly as registered with ICBC, with no initials or abbreviations - Bank Address
Use the address that matches the SWIFT code: Addax Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi for ICBKAEAA; or Gate Village 01, DIFC, Dubai for ICBKAEAD - Purpose of Payment Code
Required for UAE transfers (e.g., GDS for goods, SAL for salary, FAM for family support, OAT for own account transfer)
FAQ – ICBC SWIFT Codes
What is the main SWIFT code for ICBC in the UAE?
ICBC operates two licensed branches in the UAE, each with its own SWIFT code. There is no single “main” UAE code. Use ICBKAEAA for the Abu Dhabi Branch and ICBKAEAD for the Dubai (DIFC) Branch. Choose the code that matches the city in which the beneficiary holds the account.
Can I use ICBKAEAA for an ICBC Dubai account?
No. ICBC Abu Dhabi and ICBC Dubai (DIFC) are separately licensed branches with different SWIFT records. Using the wrong code can lead to delays, return of funds, or additional bank charges. Always confirm the branch with the beneficiary before sending the payment.
Can I use ICBKAEAD instead of ICBKAEADXXX?
Yes. Both formats are valid. The 8-character version (ICBKAEAD) automatically defaults to the head branch of the Dubai (DIFC) record. Some international payment platforms require exactly 11 characters, in which case use ICBKAEADXXX. The same logic applies to ICBKAEAA and ICBKAEAAXXX.
Does the AD in ICBKAEAD mean Abu Dhabi?
No. This is one of the most common mistakes. The “AD” in ICBKAEAD is the SWIFT location segment assigned to the Dubai (DIFC) Branch record – it is not a country or city abbreviation. The Abu Dhabi Branch actually uses “AA” as its location segment, giving ICBKAEAA.
What is the SWIFT code for transfers from China to ICBC UAE?
If the sender is an ICBC China account holder transferring to an ICBC UAE account, the receiving SWIFT code is still ICBKAEAA (Abu Dhabi) or ICBKAEAD (Dubai DIFC). ICBC China’s own head-office SWIFT code is ICBKCNBJ, but that code is only for accounts held in China.
Is the SWIFT code different for AED vs. CNY or USD accounts?
No. SWIFT code selection is independent of currency. The same code serves accounts denominated in AED, USD, CNY, EUR, GBP and any other currency that ICBC UAE handles. Currency identification occurs through separate fields in the SWIFT MT103 message format.
Does ICBC UAE handle RMB / CNY clearing?
Yes. ICBC is one of the world’s leading RMB clearing banks and both UAE branches actively support CNY-denominated trade settlements between the UAE / GCC and China. For CNY inward remittances, the same SWIFT codes (ICBKAEAA or ICBKAEAD) apply.
Does ICBC have retail branches across all seven emirates?
No. Unlike major UAE domestic banks, ICBC currently operates only two licensed branches in the UAE – one in Abu Dhabi (Al Reem Island) and one in Dubai (DIFC). ICBC’s UAE business focuses primarily on corporate, institutional, trade finance and cross-border banking rather than mass-market retail.
What is ICBC’s official SWIFT code according to the bank?
According to ICBC’s official UAE websites (abudhabi.icbc.com.cn and middleeast.icbc.com.cn), the official SWIFT code for the Abu Dhabi Branch is ICBKAEAA and the official SWIFT code for the Dubai (DIFC) Branch is ICBKAEAD. Both are confirmed in the banks’ inward remittance FAQs.
What happens if I use the wrong ICBC branch code?
Because ICBC Abu Dhabi and ICBC Dubai (DIFC) are separately licensed branches, a SWIFT code mismatch with the beneficiary’s actual branch can cause the payment to be queried, delayed for manual investigation, or returned to the sender with additional bank charges. Always cross-check the SWIFT code, IBAN and branch name against the official payment instruction provided by the beneficiary.
Important Disclaimer
The SWIFT code information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. While we strive to keep this information accurate and up-to-date, we recommend verifying the SWIFT code on the official ICBC websites (abudhabi.icbc.com.cn and middleeast.icbc.com.cn) or contacting the bank directly before making large transfers. We are not liable for any delays, losses, or errors that may occur as a result of using incorrect banking details.
