How do I accept local payment methods for international customers?
Accept local payment methods by localizing checkout to show country-specific payment options, local currencies, and accurate pricing, while calculating duties and taxes upfront. Enable local wallets, bank transfers, and installments, and use local acquiring to raise authorization rates. Centralize routing of funds and payouts, and fulfill orders with compliant, duty-paid logistics. This approach aligns payment familiarity with shopper expectations, reduces friction and declines, and measurably improves checkout conversion across markets without requiring separate entities in most cases.
FAQ
### Which local payment methods matter most for checkout conversion?
Prioritize the methods most familiar to shoppers in each market, such as regional wallets, bank transfers, and installments. Use analytics to identify dominant options by traffic source and device, then track authorization rates and checkout drop-off to refine the mix.
### Do I need a local entity or bank account to accept local payment methods?
Often, no. Cross-border infrastructure can localize checkout and use local acquiring while you operate from a single legal entity. Some markets may still require tax registrations or local representation, so validate requirements by country.
### How do I handle currency, duties, and taxes at checkout?
Display prices in the shopper’s local currency, calculate landed costs in real time, and collect duties and taxes at purchase. Ship duty-paid to avoid delivery surprises and refusals.
### How do I decide which countries to enable first?
Start where demand signals are strongest and reliable logistics are available. Model authorization rates, payment preferences, and total cost to serve, then run limited pilots before wider rollout.
