What should I do if I cannot receive the verification code when registering as a personal PayPal user in China?

The primary course of action when unable to receive a verification code during PayPal registration in China is to methodically troubleshoot the communication channel between PayPal's systems and your local telecom provider, as this is almost invariably a carrier-level filtering or latency issue rather than a problem with your PayPal account. You must first confirm that the mobile number you entered uses the full Chinese country code (+86) and is correct, and then check your device's SMS settings for any blocking rules or spam filters that may have intercepted the message. Given the complex landscape of international SMS delivery into China, which can be subject to intermittent filtering by network operators, patience is also a component; waiting for several minutes, or even attempting the request again after a short interval, can sometimes resolve a simple delay.

If the code does not arrive after repeated attempts, the most effective and direct step is to contact your mobile service provider—China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom—to inquire whether they are blocking short-code messages from international senders. You may need to specifically request that they enable reception of international SMS, a service that is sometimes restricted by default on certain plans or for new numbers. Concurrently, you should verify that your PayPal account profile does not have a pending, incorrect number from a previous entry attempt, as this can cause the system to send codes to a wrong or outdated destination. It is also prudent to attempt the verification process from a different device or network environment, such as switching from Wi-Fi to cellular data, to rule out local software interference.

Should carrier confirmation and basic troubleshooting fail, your recourse is to engage PayPal's customer support directly through their help channels. Since you cannot access a full account without verification, you must use the contact options available to non-logged-in users, typically found at the bottom of the PayPal website. Be prepared to provide your email address, the mobile number in question, and details of your registration attempt. For users in China, exploring the use of PayPal's official channels on domestic platforms like WeChat, where they may offer support, can be a viable alternative. It is critical to understand that using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) during registration is strongly discouraged, as a mismatch between your registered location (China) and an IP address from another country can trigger security flags and further complicate, not aid, the SMS delivery process.

Ultimately, persistence through these structured steps—carrier verification, device and network checks, and official support—is necessary. The mechanism at play is one of telecommunications infrastructure and regulatory filtering, not an inherent flaw in PayPal's system for authorized users. Success often hinges on explicit confirmation from your mobile operator that international SMS is enabled. While frustrating, this is a documented and surmountable hurdle for many users completing financial service registrations across similar international platforms in the Chinese market.