Yes. Stripe accepts international payments – providing that your location is a Stripe-supported country.
However, despite their global coverage, there are a lot of countries where merchants cannot use this payment gateway. Are you unsure if Stripe accepts international payments in your country?
Then read on to learn from this post.
How do I Accept International Payments via Stripe?
Without having a Stripe account you can not accept international payments. You have to have a Stripe account or buy a verified Stripe account from someone else.
How do you create a Stripe account?
Simple. We list the steps to follow in creating your Stripe account and preparation to be done before you start.
Step 1: Prepare your information
Who’s the admin? You of course.
- Your email
- A good and strong email
- Your last four digits of SSN (Social Security Number)
- Bank’s routing number
- Bank account number
Step 2: Go to Stripe website
- Open your browser and enter, https://dashboard.stripe.com/register
Step 3: Fill the form to create your account
You have to bear in mind that the email is a specific email address that you or anyone else has access to.
This email will be contacted when a change of password is needed. Also, you will be receiving transaction notifications on the email.
So fill the form by:
- Entering your email address
- Your password
- Confirm your password
- Click ‘”I’m not a robot”
- And click “Create your Stripe account*
Step 4: Confirm the representative
Stripe will request additional information to properly identify who you are. Visit this page for more clarifications on identity verification.
You can use either your Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google account to fill in your personal identifying information.
- Your legal name
- Date of birth
- Last four digits of your Social Security Number
Step 5: Enter your bank details
You need to fill the form by providing your routing number and account number.
Then click on ” Activate Account”
Once your account application status reads “approved” you will be able to accept payments including international payments as well.
To answer your question, “how do I accept international payments via Stripe?”
Your account has been set up and approved. Next, is to connect your Stripe account on your website or app to accept international payments 24/7.
Follow any of these two steps:
The first step of connecting your Stripe on your website requires a developer or you can do it yourself if you have the technical know-how.
Step 1: Get the keys to the connection
- On your Stripe account dashboard, navigate to API keys
- That’s Dashboard > Developers > API keys
- You have to give the developer the Test keys to know if your site can connect to your Stripe account.
- Also, the developer needs the Publishable key and the Secret key as well. (To get these keys, click on “Reveal Test Key Token” and copy it)
- Once both the configuration and integration work is done. The developer needs the live keys.
- You will see a toggle slider on top of the screen where you can switch from live to test or test to live.
- Next, click on “Reveal live key token” to show the secret key, copy and paste that as well.
Step 2: Get the Webhooks
- Navigate to your Dashboard > Webhooks.
- Add a Webhook: https://yourwebsite.com/?callback=gravityformsstripe
- At this point, your developer will change your site to be on a secure socket layer, that’s HTTPS enabled site.
The second step is simple, that’s if your website is built on WordPress.
On your WordPress dashboard, install a Woocommerce plugin, an e-commerce plugin that allows you to sell and receive payments.
You will then set up a payment gateway, different options will be displayed on how you want to receive payment and one of the options is Stripe.
Setting up Stripe is easy. You will be asked to add your Stripe account or create a new one.
You will add your account and click activate the account and it will be activated as a means of collecting payments.
I recommend you use the second step to connect your Stripe account to your website.
Stripe Supported Country
Stripe supports merchants and businesses in European and North American countries, including a few countries in Asia.
Businesses in Africa or Latin America are not covered by Stripe services, they should consider other payment gateways for their international payments.
Stripe supported European countries include the following:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Stripe supported Non-European countries include the following:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- India
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
Pros of Receiving International Payments via Stripe
1. Less transaction cost and fees
Stripe allows you to start selling without any monthly charges, meaning if you don’t sell, you are not expected to pay for their services.
Stripe fee is 2.8% + $0.30. For instance, if you sell a product for $100, Stripe will take $3.20.
For international sales, the charge is 3.9% and that’s okay if compared to PayPal that charges 4.4% for international sales.
2. Easy CRM & website integration
Stripe can easily be integrated into your website using the API keys or plugin.
3. Supports global currencies
Stripe accepts payments from any part of the world by supporting more than 135 currencies. You don’t have to worry about anything.
Stripe makes it possible for you to accept international payments from any part of the world with ease.
4. Supports varieties payment methods
Stripe accepts payments from every credit and debit card and also from the following e-wallets:
- Amex Express Checkout
- Google Pay
- Alipay
- Visa Checkout
- Apple Pay
- Microsoft Pay, etc.
With this, your business is covered online. All you need to do is to have a verified Stripe account.
5. Customer support
Stripe has a lot of ways you can reach them with your complaints. You can reach them through email, phone call, or talk to an agent on an online chat.
Also, they have a support forum, where you can ask questions and answers will be given immediately.
Cons of Receiving International Payments via Stripe
1. Country limitations
Country limitations have discouraged people from using Stripe to use other payment gateways like PayPal. Stripe is only available in Europe and North America, and a few countries in Asia.
Although Stripe accepts payment from any part of the world, these limitations remain an issue for businesses in countries not supported by Stripe.
2. Needs a developer
Stripe open API and tools can be confusing and difficult if you’re a novice in coding.
Without a developer’s assistance, you cannot properly integrate and customize Stripe on your site, and it’s a big problem for people.
Conclusion
When considering Stripe as a way of accepting international payments, you should know if the country you’re in is one of the Stripe-supported countries.
Stripe remains the best choice for merchants who accept international payments from every part of the world, while it has many benefits, it does come with a few cons.