Cross-border QR payments – what should businesses know?

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on 22 August 2023 and has been updated on 20 September 2023.

When selling to tourists or visitors from foreign countries, how does your business accept payments? Cash? Credit? There’s an easier way!

Due to the recent implementation of cross-border QR payments, merchants operating in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand will be able to accept mobile payments from each country’s visitors seamlessly. 

All it takes is for merchants to display their respective nation’s QR code – PayNow (Singapore), QRIS (Indonesia), DuitNow (Malaysia), or PromptPay (Thailand). Visiting customers from any of these countries can pay by scanning the QR codes using their banking apps or e-wallets. 

The popularity of cross-border payments is also extending beyond Southeast Asia. For instance, Singapore users of OCBC Digital and Changi apps will be able to make payments with these apps in China starting September 2023.

What does it mean for my business?

With the borders opened and tourists all around the world free to visit Singapore, this would mean local businesses can expect higher incoming foreign foot traffic. In fact, early this year the Singapore Tourism Board recorded that the country’s international visit arrivals reached 6.3 million in 2022, with these visitors driven by strong demand from key source markets including Indonesia, India, and Malaysia.

The implementation of cross-border QR payments by the central banks meant both merchants and tourists would experience a smoother and easier checkout process. Eliminating the need to handle physical cash, transactions can be done accurately with a simple scan of your PayNow QR code. 

What should I do as a business owner?
If you are not sure where to start, here are some FAQs:

How do I get started?
You may contact your preferred bank or payment provider to enable cross-border QR payment. The supported parties are: DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, and UOB.
If your bank is not listed here, do contact them to check on the availability.

Will I be charged for using this cross-border QR payment?
Banks may offer different fee structures. For more information, contact your acquirer. 

How will cross-border QR payments be shown in my financial statements/ reports?
This also depends on your bank.

In what currency will I receive my funds?
The payments credited to your account will be in SGD. 

How do I guide foreign customers to pay?
It’s pretty straightforward. All they have to do is to open up their mobile banking or e-wallet app and your PayNow QR code. As such, it is important to openly display your PayNow QR code conveying this enablement to your customers. 

Accept cross-border payments with ease using Qashier!

Ready to embrace the convenience of cross-border payments? The convenience extends with Qashier’s POS solutions!

Don’t miss a sale due to the lack of the necessary technology. Keep the queue moving and provide the best customer service with Qashier’s holistic and affordable business solutions. 

Qashier’s integrated POS and payments solutions are designed to facilitate a seamless checkout experience for both merchants and customers. Capabilities aside, Qashier provides a variety of price points for each tailored solution, thus providing a low barrier to entry, especially for SMEs. 

One main feature is its dual-screen terminal such as the QashierX2 and QashierXL. 

These screens provide the merchant and customer a clear picture of the purchase information, thereby minimising human errors. You can generate your PayNow QR and prompt it on the customer-facing screen, allowing them to scan and instantly get the payment through. 

If you prefer something more lightweight and portable, our QashierXS is just as good, serving all your business needs.

QashierXS is suitable for smaller-scale businesses such as bazaars and quick service, mobile businesses such as food trucks. 

All cross-border payments will be consolidated in one sales report, together with other local payments processed. That way, you have a full view of your sales performance for the day, allowing you to make informed decisions for promotions. 

More about Qashier
So if you’re a small business looking for an innovative smart POS solution, contact us or visit our website to learn more about our cost-effective plans.

Qashier offers multiple digital solutions, including QR code table ordering, table management (F&B), employee management, customer relationship management (loyalty programs), inventory management, data analytics, and cashless payments, in an all-in-one device.

Qashier promises a seamless setup without any need for technical expertise. It boasts a user-friendly interface that is simple for anyone to learn and use. In addition, you’ll find 7 days-a-week responsive technical support from the local team if you require assistance.

Try the Qashier app for free on your own Android device! Alternatively, you can speak to us to see how Qashier can meet your business needs. Schedule a meeting with us here, call us at (+65) 3165 0155, WhatsApp (+65) 8887 7687, or email [email protected].