Kogan Mobile roaming in China: costs, data, and how to save
A plain-English guide to the Kogan Mobile International Roaming Add-Ons, what you'll pay, and a cheaper alternative if you want one.
How Kogan Mobile roaming works in China
A plain-English explainer of Kogan Mobile's Kogan Mobile International Roaming Add-Ons — so you know exactly what you're paying for before you fly.
Kogan Mobile doesn't have a daily roaming pass. Instead, they sell prepaid 3-day International Roaming Add-Ons that you purchase through the Kogan Mobile portal before you fly. Each add-on is $11.90 flat and lasts 3 days from the moment you buy it (not from when you land in China). There are two variants: a Data Only pack (700MB over 3 days) and a Calls + Data pack that swaps some of the data allowance for voice minutes and texts.
| Cost for ~1GB of data per day | $17.00 NZD per day in China — based on Kogan Mobile's published rates |
|---|---|
| Daily data allowance | Data Only add-on: 700MB over 3 days (≈230MB/day on average). The Calls + Data add-on includes a smaller data allowance plus some voice minutes and texts — check the Kogan Mobile portal for the current breakdown. |
| Calls & texts | Only the Calls + Data add-on includes voice calls and texts. The Data Only add-on cannot make voice calls. Both packs send and receive calls to/from China and New Zealand when active. |
| Hotspot / tethering | Allowed on both add-on types, but every MB tethered to another device counts against your pack allowance. |
| What happens after the daily allowance | The add-on expires 3 days after purchase regardless of how much you've used. Once it ends — or once you exhaust the data allowance — you need to buy another add-on to keep using mobile data overseas. |
| Countries covered alongside China | Mainland China may fall outside Kogan Mobile’s standard roaming zone — check the Kogan Mobile site for current coverage before you travel. |
| How to activate or deactivate | Manual purchase through the Kogan Mobile portal. The add-on activates the instant you buy it — not when you arrive — so don't buy it days in advance, or you'll burn through the 3-day window before you even leave NZ. |
You could save big by using a KiwiSim eSIM when roaming in China, compared to using your Kogan Mobile SIM.
KiwiSim vs Kogan Mobile — cost over a trip
Cumulative NZD cost in China from day 1 to day 30, based on getting around 1GB of data per day from each provider at their published rates. Prices accurate as at 21 May 2026.
Daily Unlimited Plan
1GB of full-speed data every day, then unlimited data at standard speed. Resets every 24 hours.
- 1GB at top 5G speed daily, then unlimited at standard speed
- Hotspot & tethering enabled — share with any device
- Connects to China Mobile
- Activate when you land — no rush
How long is your trip?
Fixed Data Plans
Get a fixed amount of data that can be used across your entire trip as you need it.
KiwiSim vs Kogan Mobile — feature comparison
A side-by-side look at how KiwiSim and Kogan Mobile stack up for travel to China.
| KiwiSim | Kogan Mobile |
|---|---|
| How data is sold | |
| Unlimited daily plan — pay by the number of days you need | 3-day pack at $11.90 flat — same price across all 56 supported destinations |
| When the allowance runs out | |
| Continues at reduced speed for the rest of the day — still browsable. Resets every 24h. | Pack expires after 3 days. Unused inclusions are forfeited; buy another pack to extend. |
| Hotspot / tethering | |
| Networks used in China | |
| China Mobile & China Unicom 5G/4G | China Mobile partner network |
| Activation method | |
| Scan QR code, install in 2 minutes | Manual purchase through the Kogan Mobile portal — activates immediately |
| Keeps your NZ number for calls/texts | |
| Yes — runs alongside your NZ SIM | Yes — it is your NZ SIM |
| Customer support | |
| 24/7 chat & email | Online chat & email |
| If you cross into another country | |
| Install a new eSIM for that country | Continues working if the new country is on the supported list — otherwise no service |
| Feature | KiwiSim | Kogan Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| How data is sold | Unlimited daily plan — pay by the number of days you need | 3-day pack at $11.90 flat — same price across all 56 supported destinations |
| When the allowance runs out | Continues at reduced speed for the rest of the day — still browsable. Resets every 24h. | Pack expires after 3 days. Unused inclusions are forfeited; buy another pack to extend. |
| Hotspot / tethering | ||
| Networks used in China | China Mobile & China Unicom 5G/4G | China Mobile partner network |
| Activation method | Scan QR code, install in 2 minutes | Manual purchase through the Kogan Mobile portal — activates immediately |
| Keeps your NZ number for calls/texts | Yes — runs alongside your NZ SIM | Yes — it is your NZ SIM |
| Customer support | 24/7 chat & email | Online chat & email |
| If you cross into another country | Install a new eSIM for that country | Continues working if the new country is on the supported list — otherwise no service |
Kogan Mobile sells 3-day roaming packs at a flat price across 56 supported destinations. It's simple but inflexible — KiwiSim lets you match your exact trip length and works directly on local 5G/4G networks.
Why KiwiSim?
Built by Kiwis, for Kiwis travelling the world.
Locally Owned & Operated
Know you're in good hands with our kiwi team
Global 5G/4G Network
Enjoy fast and reliable coverage in over 200 locations worldwide
Simple to Setup
Get globally connected in a matter of minutes, all online
Hotspot/Tethering Enabled
Share your data connection with phone, tablet, or friends - all included
Keep your NZ Number
Our data-only SIMs give you the full flexibility of still receiving calls to your NZ number
Compatible with most phones
Majority of modern phones are compatible with eSIMs - use our device checker to double-check
Regional Plans
Tripping around? Have a look at some regional plans that include China for better value.
Kogan Mobile roaming in China — FAQ
The questions Kiwis ask before they travel — answered honestly.
Other roaming comparisons for China
Compare your other NZ carrier options for travel to China.
