Frequently Asked Questions

We have created a list of the most common questions we get asked by our clients so if you do have a query about our service (whether it be technical, financial or general house keeping) you can refer to our FAQs below.

Can't find your question? We are here to help. Contact our Merchant Services team via email or on +44 (0)845 2585 890 and we can provide a quick response to your query.

General FAQs

• I’d like to accept credit card payments from my customers. How do I get started? 
• How long does it take to set up? 
• What goods and services can I sell? 
• Do I need an Internet Merchant Account?
• What size of business do you deal with? 
• My business is very small. Is PayPoint.net  suitable? 
• What happens if I don’t reach or fall below your minimum monthly sales threshold?
• Which countries do you accept applications from?
• Do you accept applications from non incorporated businesses (sole traders)?
• My bank has refused my application for an Internet Merchant Account. Can you help?
• If my application is declined, will you refund my fees?
• If I apply for an account then change my mind am I entitled to a refund? What is your policy on refunds?

Financial FAQs

• How and when do I get paid?
• Can you settle funds to my existing bank account?
• What are the terms of your Merchant Agreement?
• What are the minimum and maximum transaction values?

Technical FAQS

• Can PayPoint.net handle high transaction volumes?
• Is PayPoint.net secure? 
• How do I integrate PayPoint.net on my site?
• How can I submit payment requests to the PayPoint.net payment gateway?

General FAQs

I’d like to accept credit card payments from my customers. How do I get started?

PayPoint.net includes an Internet Merchant Account, a secure payment gateway and a suite of web based back office services – everything you need to perform and manage card payment processing. It's incredibly easy to get started - start building your new payment solution here.

How long does it take to set up?

At PayPoint.net we are in the unique position to be able to provide you with your Internet Merchant Account and allow you start accepting payments within 24 hours of applying (if requested and sufficient documentation is provided up front). Otherwise we promise to review your application within 2 working days. If your application is approved, we will issue you with a test account and integration guide immediately whilst your Internet Merchant Account ID’s are ordered.

It then typically takes a further 3 to 5 days from receipt of all required documents before you can start processing payments. For businesses trading online please ensure your site is compliant with our guidelines. We also have a compliance checklist for mail/telephone order businesses.

What goods and services can I sell?

You can sell physical and digital (tangible and intangible) goods and services. The only current exceptions are adult online content (pornographic imagery), multi level marketing and businesses of a legally dubious nature. Please refer to our Acceptable Use Policy for more information. High risk merchants (gaming, travel, ticketing and online pharmacies) please contact sales for a quick decision in principle and current Visa/MasterCard compliance requirements.

Do I need an Internet Merchant Account?

To trade online you will require an Internet Merchant Account. Our +IMA solutions include an Internet Merchant Account that we can arrange for you from a choice of UK and European acquiring banks.

After reviewing your application we can advise the most suitable bank based on your location, required trading currencies, transaction volumes, nature of business and so on.

What size of businesses do you deal with?

We process payments for small, medium and large companies. We usually require that you have monthly sales of at least £5,000 or the equivalent in your trading currency. If you are a startup we ask that you to reach the minimum sales volume within your first 6 months trading. We also ask that you pay the first 6 months service charges in advance.

My business is very small. Is PayPoint.net  suitable?

We process for businesses large and small. Smaller businesses, in particular those who can provide turnover predictions for this revenue within six months, will be considered. Merchants who have been trading for less than a year will be asked to pay the first six monthly service charges in advance, in addition to any reserves or deposits required. For more information please call +44 (0)800 810 0136 to speak with one of our expert advisers.

What happens if I don’t reach or fall below your minimum monthly sales threshold?

There are no specific actions that we will take solely in response to low transaction volumes. The minimum monthly threshold is provided for your guidance as to the suitability of our service.

Which countries do you accept applications from?

Credit card scheme rules state that we can process payments for companies incorporated within the European Union. Please note that we require a company secretary or director, resident in the EU country you are incorporated in, to act as signatory on our merchant agreement. For assistance incorporating a company within the European Union we recommend a number of Company Formation Agents.

Do you accept applications from non incorporated businesses (sole traders)?

Yes, provided your business is based within the EU. You must also reside in the same EU country as the business.

My bank has refused my application for an Internet Merchant Account. Can you help?

There is a good chance we can. Our clients include online gaming, pharmacies, startup, sole traders and other companies who are viewed as high risk by many banks. We work with one of the largest banks in Europe who have a flexible approach to risk management and we treat every application on it’s merits. High risk merchants (adult content, gaming, travel and online pharmacies) please contact sales for a quick decision in principle and current Visa/MasterCard compliance requirements.

If my application is declined, will you refund my fees?

We cannot provide our services to all businesses, either for legal, reputational or risk reasons. If, after our initial assessment of your application, we decline to offer you an account then we shall refund all fees in full.

If I apply for an account then change my mind am I entitled to a refund? What is your policy on refunds?

Please refer to our Refund Policy for more information.

Financial FAQs

How and when do I get paid?

Our standard terms are weekly, 4 weeks in arrears. We settle by bank transfer to an account of your choice. Our payment period is Monday to Sunday inclusive. For example: transactions between 2/8/04 to 8/8/04 would be settled 6/9/04. The deferred settlement period is required to offset the risk inherent in credit card payments. Alternative risk management solutions (including fixed and rolling reserves) may be offered to established merchants.

Can you settle funds to my existing bank account?

Yes the bank account needs to be a business bank account in the name of the entity we are contracting with. We can settle funds to all UK and international banks who are members of the SWIFT network. If your bank is not a member of the SWIFT network (ie they cannot provide SWIFT routing information) your settlement will take longer to reach your account and you may incur additional transit fees. If your bank account is not in the same name as your company, we will require additional documentation from you to verify legitimacy.

Wherever possible, a valid IBAN (international bank account number) for your settlement account should be provided. The IBAN is a series of alphanumeric characters that uniquely identifies an account held at a bank anywhere in the world. Please contact your bank if you do not already have an IBAN. For minimum charges for settlement in Euro's to European bank accounts, a valid IBAN and SWIFT are required.

What are the terms of your Merchant Agreement?

The initial term is 12 months, automatically renewed unless terminated. Please refer to our Merchant Agreement.

What are the minimum and maximum transaction values?

The minimum transaction value is £1/$1/€1. By default the maximum transaction value is £1000/$1500/€1500. Higher limits are available on request.

Technical FAQs

Can PayPoint.net handle high transaction volumes?

Yes. We have invested in world class infrastructure including data centres in the UK and USA. Our scalable and redundancy systems are designed for continuous 24/7/365 service.

Is PayPoint.net secure?

Yes. We adhere strictly to card scheme and banking industry best practice. We are also amongst the first payment companies to implement DDoS prevention technology, and one of the few to be PCI DSS Level 1 certified. Our payment platform also integrates 3D Secure which protects you and your customers from fraud.

How do I integrate PayPoint.net on my site?

The PayPoint.net Card Payment Engine (MCPE) is accessed via bi-directional HTTP POST. Our support team have a wealth of experience and are always on hand to assist you. Easy to follow Integration guides are available from our Support centre explaining the setup process from beginning to end, a notification test suite and sample handlers in Perl, PHP and ASP can be downloaded upon acceptance of your application. Merchants who wish to review integration prior to signup, can obtain our easy to follow guides and can download Integration Guides from our Support Centre here.

How can I submit payment requests to the PayPoint.net payment gateway?

You can submit automated payment requests from your web page (click here for a list of supported shopping cart software). You can also submit payments using the PayPoint.net Virtual Terminal +IMA. You can now also submit payment requests via WAP and emailPay.