GPT-6 API top-up from China: Alipay and Codex setup
As of 2026-11-05, you can top up the GPT-6 API from mainland China on QCode by adding funds to your CNY balance with Alipay or WeChat Pay and spending that balance on a Personal Plan or a pay-as-you-go pack; then call gpt-6.1-sol and the other GPT models with a key that starts with cr_: set Codex's base_url to https://api.qcode.cc/openai (Responses), and point OpenAI-compatible tools that only support Chat Completions at https://api.qcode.cc/openai/v1. Billing is per token.
Updated 2026-11-05
Prices change: on QCode, Claude, GPT and Chinese models are billed per token — live rates on /models.
- Billed per token — live rates on /models
- Pay by card (Visa / Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay or crypto
- Self-service: top up and activate instantly
Four takeaways
GPT models on sale
On the /models page captured 2026-11-05, the GPT models on sale include gpt-6-astra, gpt-6-sol, gpt-6.1-sol, gpt-6.1-terra and gpt-5.6-terra; gpt-6-luna and gpt-5.6-luna are not supported at the moment, so use another GPT model. Per-model rates are on /models.
Two base URLs
Codex speaks OpenAI Responses: base_url is https://api.qcode.cc/openai and wire_api is responses; OpenAI-compatible tools that only support Chat Completions use https://api.qcode.cc/openai/v1. The docs state that GPT models use the two OpenAI endpoints and do not work on the Anthropic endpoint.
Alipay and WeChat arrival
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay usually arrive within a minute; crypto is checked by hand and credited within one day. Balances are kept per currency: Alipay and WeChat top up the CNY balance, while cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and crypto sit on the USD tab.
Recommended endpoint for mainland China
The Codex tutorial in the docs says users in mainland China should prefer asia.qcode.cc and need no self-built proxy; the endpoints page says that if the primary domain stalls you can switch to another domain, with the request path unchanged.
How to top up and connect the GPT-6 API from China
As of 2026-11-05, QCode is prepaid: first add funds to the CNY balance on the top-up page with Alipay or WeChat Pay, then spend the balance on a Personal Plan or a pay-as-you-go pack, and call the GPT-6 API with a key that starts with cr_. The OpenAI side is a separate matter: its list of API-supported countries and territories has no mainland China entry, and while ChatGPT plans include Codex, signing in to Codex with an API key is billed at standard API rates on an OpenAI Platform account instead of using included plan credits. A ChatGPT subscription and an API top-up are therefore two separate accounts, and QCode covers the second one.
What the OpenAI pages say
Three OpenAI pages captured on 2026-11-05 matter here. The Codex pricing page says Codex is included in the ChatGPT Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Edu and Enterprise plans, and that API token prices are distinct from subscription usage and should not be used to estimate included tasks. The Codex authentication page says you can also sign in to Codex CLI with an API key and that API key usage is billed through your OpenAI Platform account at standard API rates. The Codex models page says GPT-6.1 Terra requires Codex CLI 0.159.0 or later.
Timeline
QCode's /models records gpt-6.1-sol, OpenAI's GPT-6 Sol update, as released on this day, with an official price of $2 / $10 per 1M input / output tokens.
The QCode docs Codex tutorial and endpoints page were updated the same day; they give the base_url format for Codex and the domains you can switch between.
The payment methods overview in the QCode docs was updated; it lists Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, crypto and the Russian local methods as shown on the top-up page, each with its currency tab.
Confirmed vs common misconceptions
Confirmed (verifiable word for word)
OpenAI: the list of API-supported countries and territories has no mainland China entry; GPT-6.1 Terra needs Codex CLI 0.159.0 or later. QCode docs: GPT models use only the two OpenAI endpoints and do not work on the Anthropic endpoint; Claude Code and Codex use the same QCode key.
Common misconceptions
First, “I already pay for ChatGPT, so the API needs no top-up”: OpenAI states that signing in to Codex with an API key is billed at standard API rates instead of using included plan credits. Second, “GPT models also work on the Anthropic endpoint”: the docs state that GPT models use only the two OpenAI endpoints, and Claude models cannot use /openai/v1 either.
OpenAI's own account or a QCode top-up
An OpenAI account
ChatGPT plans include Codex; API usage is billed separately through an OpenAI Platform account. API coverage follows the official list of countries and territories, which has no mainland China entry. It suits people whose location is on the list and who already have a Platform account and a way to pay.
A QCode top-up
One cr_ key can call GPT, Claude and the main Chinese model families, and Claude Code and Codex share that key; billing is per token, with per-model rates on /models. It suits people in mainland China who want to pay in RMB.
From top-up to a working Codex
① Register at qcode.cc and create a key that starts with cr_ in the console. ② Top up on the top-up page, then spend the balance on a Personal Plan or a pay-as-you-go pack. ③ Configure Codex: in ~/.codex/config.toml write model_provider = "qcode" and model = "gpt-6.1-sol", then add a [model_providers.qcode] table with base_url = "https://api.qcode.cc/openai", wire_api = "responses" and requires_openai_auth = true (the name qcode is yours to choose; the docs examples use it); put your cr_ key in ~/.codex/auth.json as OPENAI_API_KEY. Users in mainland China can follow the docs recommendation and swap the domain for asia.qcode.cc, keeping the path. gpt-6.1-terra needs Codex CLI 0.159.0 or later. The full install steps are on /codex-china-guide.
Top up GPT-6 on QCode
Three steps: register and create a key that starts with cr_; top up on the top-up page with Alipay or WeChat Pay; in Codex's config.toml point the provider at QCode and set model to gpt-6.1-sol. Billing is per token, with per-model rates on /models. Not ready for a monthly plan? Pay-as-you-go Packs start at $4 for a one-time quota you use within 7 days; if you already have a Personal Plan, add a booster pack when you need more quota.
FAQ
Can I use Codex from China?
Yes: define a custom provider in ~/.codex/config.toml that points at QCode and use your QCode cr_ key, and Codex can call gpt-6.1-sol and the other GPT models; the fields are in the setup steps above, and the full install is on /codex-china-guide.
Can I pay for the Codex API with Alipay?
Yes. The QCode top-up page takes Alipay as well as WeChat Pay. That money goes into your QCode balance and buys QCode quota; it is independent of an OpenAI account or a ChatGPT plan.
What is the minimum top-up for the GPT-6 API?
The minimum is whatever the top-up page currently shows: the CNY and USD tabs each state their own amount limits, and the balances are kept apart. Pack prices are on /pay-as-you-go.
Do I need my own proxy to use the GPT-6 API from China?
No. The Codex tutorial in the docs says users in mainland China should prefer asia.qcode.cc and need no self-built proxy; the endpoints page adds that if asia.qcode.cc is unstable you can switch to api.qcode.cc, with the request path unchanged.
GPT-6.1 Terra or Sol, which should I pick?
For general and complex tasks, pick gpt-6.1-sol: the Codex tutorial in the QCode docs marks it as recommended. OpenAI says 6.1 Sol comes close to Astra at a lower cost and 6.1 Terra is a fast, efficient choice for writing, visual understanding and computer use. As of 2026-11-05, the official prices shown on /models are $2 / $10 for gpt-6.1-sol and $1 / $5 for gpt-6.1-terra per 1M input / output tokens, and both are on sale. The Terra guide is at /gpt-6-1-terra-api-guide.
How do I pay, and how fast does it arrive?
Alipay, WeChat Pay, cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay usually arrive within a minute; SBP and Russian cards can take a few minutes; crypto is checked by hand and credited within one day.
Sources
OpenAI: the supported countries and territories page, the Codex pricing page, the Codex authentication page and the Codex models page on developers.openai.com, captured 2026-11-05. QCode: /models, /pricing and /pay-as-you-go on qcode.cc, and the Codex tutorial, endpoints and API paths, and payment methods overview pages on docs.qcode.cc, captured the same day; arrival times on the top-up page come from the site's own multilingual copy.
Try the top-up step first
Model availability follows /models; payment methods and arrival times are on the top-up page and in the FAQ.
Related reading
Claude Code Pay-as-you-go Packs: no subscription, 7 days
One-time quota used within 7 days, no subscription; every pack lands on the same key and works in Claude Code and Codex.
GPT-6 Guide: Astra and 6.1 Sol specs and prices
Specs, official prices and the parameters to change when migrating across the GPT-6 models.
Codex in China: base_url setup and Alipay top-ups
How to write a custom provider for Codex CLI in config.toml from mainland China, plus Alipay and WeChat top-ups.
Crypto payment guide
Nine coins, 56 networks, zero platform fee for AI coding API credits.
QCode details on this page were checked on 2026-11-05 against qcode.cc and docs.qcode.cc captured that day; OpenAI pages were captured the same day. Official pages prevail, model availability follows /models, and official changes are not announced individually.