International Credit Card Processing
Today, business is run globally, and you may find yourself in a position where you can grow your reach by selling products or services internationally. If this is the case, you will have to accept international credit card payments. It’s important to be aware of the factors involved so you can properly price your goods and or services, and inform your clients about the implications of making an international credit card payment.
Know your markets
When handling credit card information, you are handling personal data, which is under different sets of regulations in different countries. For example, the EU, Japan and the US all have different rules. Before expanding into a foreign market, it’s best to get acquainted with the legislation in said country. Most of this information can be found on the internet for free.
These laws are in place to protect customers from data theft and unethical use of their personal information. Some countries have regulations which compel a company to disclose any security issues they may be facing, so it’s helpful to either have everything up to date in terms of security, or to be aware of what needs to be disclosed.
Credit card companies and international fraud
You should, of course, be wary of untrustworthy international vendors of merchant service credit card processing. Extensive research is important here, because it can help save a lot of money in the long run. When it comes to dealing with your customers, you have to ensure that your online reputation is pristine, and that you have all of the markers of trustworthiness for your business (SSL certificates, good BBB ratings, etc.).
Illegal purchases
Credit card companies prohibit the purchase of any illegal item or service, which means that you have to ensure that all of your products can be sold legally in your target market. Items such as food, beverages, certain chemicals, medicines or supplements may be illegal in a foreign market, in which case, you may want to delist said items. Even if you are not accepting credit cards for these international purchases, you might still face legal consequences such as fines and even jail time.
For more information about international credit card processing, or to open a merchant account, please call (888) 924-2743 or go to Charge.com.