Accepting UnionPay in Canada: what your terminal and account need.

The short answer

• UnionPay is its own network. Your account and terminal must have UnionPay turned on to take its cards.
• Debit cards usually need a PIN. UnionPay says its debit cards work abroad the same way as at home, and its signature-only merchants cannot take them.
• Credit cards take a PIN or a signature. UnionPay lists Canada among the countries with merchants that take its credit cards on signature.
• Phones and QR codes are part of it. UnionPay Mobile QuickPass supports tap and QR payments, including through Apple Pay outside mainland China.
• Fees and settlement come from your provider. UnionPay publishes no merchant fees, so ask your provider.

Who carries UnionPay

UnionPay International is a subsidiary of China UnionPay. It says its cards are accepted in 183 countries and regions and issued in 84. UnionPay's travel tips for cardholders from mainland China list Canada among the places they often visit. UnionPay also calls Canada a popular overseas study destination.

UnionPay card numbers start with 62. UnionPay also says over 90% of ATMs in Canada accept its cards.

Businesses that see these cards include:

• hotels, tour operators and attractions that serve visitors from China;
• luxury, outlet and duty-free shops;
• restaurants and stores near universities and colleges;
• landlords, schools and services that serve international students.

Card types and how they are processed

In person and online

UnionPay lists online payment, 3-D Secure and payment links among its products. Whether your gateway supports them in Canada is up to your provider. See 3-D Secure and payment links.

Fees, settlement and disputes

1. The customer pays in Canadian dollars at your terminal or checkout.
2. UnionPay routes the payment to the bank that issued the card.
3. The issuer approves it and bills the cardholder.
4. Your provider settles the sale to your bank account, in the currency it sets.
5. Your provider charges its UnionPay fee on your statement.

Fees for UnionPay usually differ from Visa and Mastercard. Ask your provider for its UnionPay rate and how it shows on your statement. Settlement currency and timing are set by your provider, not by UnionPay.

UnionPay does not publish its merchant dispute rules on its public site. If a UnionPay cardholder disputes a payment, your provider handles the case under UnionPay's rules. Ask your provider how UnionPay disputes work and what proof it needs. See chargeback.

Signage and your rights

UnionPay's acceptance mark centre offers door stickers and marks for "UnionPay card accepted", "UnionPay card and QuickPass accepted" and QR payment. UnionPay tells its cardholders to look for the logo, and to ask the cashier when no logo is shown. Put the mark where visitors can see it.

UnionPay is one of the networks bound by Canada's Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry, as FCAC lists it. FCAC says you may accept a network's domestically issued credit or debit cards without having to accept both.

Where CleverPays fits

UnionPay sets its network rules and works with the card issuers that approve each payment. Your provider decides whether your account and terminal accept UnionPay, what it charges and how it settles. You decide whether to accept UnionPay, train your staff and display the mark. For legal questions, check with your lawyer or acquirer.

We can check whether your current terminal and account accept UnionPay, including PIN debit and QuickPass. If they do not, we can enable UnionPay where our providers support it, set up your terminal or checkout and test a payment and a refund with you. We stay your contact after launch, in English and French.

Common questions