🌟 Highlights
Very low cost to keep the number: one change in balance every 6 months (such as sending one text) keeps the number valid for the long term.
No fixed monthly fee: it is Pay As You Go, with no monthly fee to worry about, which suits cross-border sellers, people in foreign trade and visitors to the UK.
No passport needed: the UK operator does not require real-name verification, so it is easy to start using.
📦 Plan and rates
Starting balance: £0 (a blank SIM needs a first top-up of at least £10 to activate, and the system adds a £5 bonus).
Top-up methods: top up with a VISA or MasterCard international bank card.
Getting a number: assigned at random by the operator after activation; each user can change the number twice for free.
🇨🇳 Roaming rates in mainland China (ideal for receiving codes)
⚠️ Important: when using it in mainland China, be sure to turn off "data roaming" on your phone, so that apps going online in the background do not run up high data charges.
🚚 Buying and shipping
Delivery area: mainland China only (remote areas such as Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia need extra postage; thank you for understanding).
Recipient details: when ordering, be sure to enter the correct recipient name, phone number and email address (order updates are sent to your email).
Dispatch time: orders are normally dispatched within 48 hours of being placed.
Tracking: for the courier tracking number, check your order in the member centre. If anything unexpected happens, contact support promptly.
💡 Please note
A top-up is required to activate: this is a brand-new, unactivated blank SIM. After receiving it you must top up to activate it before it can be used.
A warning: the claim going around that "giffgaff can be used without topping up" is untrue or out of date; do not believe it.
How to use it: we have detailed guides to topping up, activating and using it, and the guide website is printed on the packaging.
