Do my customers need 3-D Secure (3DS) to make a payment?

Many overseas banks require 3-D Secure (3DS) authentication when their cardholders make online payments. This is the security step where the customer must verify the transaction—usually through a one-time password, banking app approval, or SMS code.

If your customer is using an international credit or debit card while in Samoa, they should ensure they have access to their normal 3DS verification method. For example, if their bank sends 3DS codes by text or through a mobile banking app, they may need their phone to be roaming or connected to the internet to receive the verification prompt.

If the customer cannot complete the 3DS step, their bank may decline the transaction for security reasons – even if the card is valid.

We recommend informing your overseas customers to confirm they can access their bank’s 3DS verification method before completing a payment.

How soon do I receive funds into my account?

For purchases made using sales-oriented Payment Tools, such as Payment Links, Invoices, BuyNow, Catalog, School Fees and QuickPay Payments, settlement typically occurs within 1-2 business days.

For donations made using Fundraiser Pages and QuickPay Donations, settlement may take up to 10 business days due to additional security measures applied to donations.

All payments and donations receive immediate notifications for both Client and Customer, so the exchange of goods and services or acknowledgement of donations can take place immediately.

What kind of debit or credit cards are accepted? Are local debit cards accepted?

Any Visa or Mastercard will be accepted, this includes Visa Debit Cards from overseas or local banks in Samoa. Local debit cards do, however, incur the same 4% credit card fee as overseas credit cards as they are processed through a payment gateway.

Can I have multiple businesses on one Samoa Payments account? Or can I have multiple users for one business?

Yes and yes. When you sign up as a client, you will complete registration under your main business or organization in the Client Tab inside the Client Portal. On that Tab you also have the ability to add additional businesses or organizations to your account.  For example, you could have Joe’s Car Rental and Joe’s Cake Shop as separate businesses under your account.  When you use Payment Tools, simply select the correct Business/Organization from the dropdown menu when creating a new entry.

Similarly, you can also add users to your account if, for example, you have an assistant that helps you run your business. These sub-users under your main account can have limited access to your account and cannot alter core business details, such as banking information. They also only have access to the businesses you enable for them.  To continue with the example above, if Joe creates user access for an employee at the Cake Shop, this employee does not have access to the Payment Tools for Joe’s Car Rental business.

How does Samoa Payments work?

In a nutshell, Samoa Payments offers digital payment solutions that allow businesses, organizations, or even individuals to accept credit card payments into their Samoan bank account. In other words, Samoa Payments makes the credit card payment gateway easily and readily available to anyone. Users access this payment gateway using our Payment Tools inside our Client Portal, which create online payment pages that enable transactions through various means, such as BuyNow Links, Online/Email Invoicing, Fundraiser Pages, QR Codes, and more. Please visit the Home page for a more detailed description of how Samoa Payments works.

Which Samoa Payments Tools should I choose? There are so many.

Relax, you can try them all and only use what works for you and your business or organization.  Sending PayLinks is incredibly easy and a good place to start, especially if your sale involves discussion or negotiation with your customer.  If you promote products over social media, consider inserting a BuyNow link on your post to generate instant sales. If you sell goods face to face, you want to have your QuickPay QR code ready in case any of your customers want to scan and pay by credit card. Organizations can also use QuickPay to direct donors to a quick and easy way to make donations. If you want to fundraise for a cause, start a fundraiser page. Schools can insert fee details on the School Fee Tab and start collecting school fee payments online. There is no set-up or user fee, so you can try out Tools whenever and however you like.

Who can use Samoa Payments? Do I need to have a business to use Samoa Payments?

No. Anyone can use Samoa Payments. Samoa Payments is designed to help both formal businesses, informal businesses and solo entrepreneurs start selling to an expanded customer base by being able to accept credit card payments. Also, organizations, village committees, families, and even individuals can use Samoa Payments to fundraise by accepting donations via credit card.

What do I need to start using Samoa Payments

Getting started with Samoa Payments is incredibly simple. All you need is an internet connection, an email address and a local Samoan bank account. Ready?  Sign-up now!

Do I need to get an account at a specific bank?

No. You can have an account at any of the four main commercial banks in Samoa (ANZ, BSP, NBS, SCB). Your existing bank account should work just fine.

Does money need to be converted from a different currency?

No. When using Samoa Payments, you market and sell your products in Samoan Tala (WST) and you receive WST into your local bank account.