How to accept credit card payments in Malaysia (2026)

To accept credit card payments in Malaysia, you need a registered business, a payment gateway (for online) or card terminal (for in-store), and KYB verification from your payment provider. Costs are based on the merchant discount rate (MDR), typically 1% to 3% per transaction depending on the payment method. This article walks through each step: what you need, how it works, what it costs, and how to get set up.

Why accept credit card payments

Accepting card payments means accepting both credit and debit cards on the same infrastructure. The same terminal or payment gateway handles both.

Card payments are crossing a milestone. Point-of-sale card transactions are projected to overtake ATM cash withdrawals in Malaysia for the first time, with POS accounting for 50.2% of total card transaction value compared to 49.8% for ATM cash (GlobalData, 2025 forecast).

The numbers behind that shift:

• 9.9 million credit cards in circulation in Malaysia (BNM)
• Debit card transactions grew 20.5% year on year, credit card transactions 10.9% (BNM Annual Report 2025)
• Contactless payments reached 2 billion transactions in 2025, up 20.3% (BNM Annual Report 2025)
• The average debit card transaction is MYR 69.00, meaning consumers are using cards for everyday spending, not just large purchases

Credit card acceptance is not reserved for large businesses. Any SSM-registered Malaysian business can accept card payments through a payment gateway or terminal provider. International customers also expect it: for tourists and cross-border buyers, card payment is often the fallback when local methods are unavailable.

What you need to get started

A registered business

You need an SSM registration: sole proprietor, partnership, or Sdn Bhd. NGOs, associations, and government agencies can also accept card payments through their equivalent registrations. Your registration documents are part of the verification process with any payment provider.

A payment gateway for online payments

A payment gateway handles card processing, security, and settlement for online transactions. When a customer enters their card details on your payment page, the gateway routes the transaction through the card network (Visa or Mastercard), authenticates it, and settles the funds to your bank account.

Payment gateways vary by pricing model, settlement speed, and supported payment methods. Look for one that supports the methods your customers use: FPX for bank transfers, Card for Visa and Mastercard, and Wallet for e-wallets.

A card terminal for in-store payments

If you accept payments in person, you need a physical card terminal. Banks and terminal providers offer POS devices that accept tap-and-go (contactless), chip-and-PIN, and swipe transactions. Terminal costs typically include device rental and a per-transaction fee.

KYB verification

Every payment provider requires Know Your Business (KYB) verification before enabling card payments. The typical documents:

• SSM certificate (or equivalent registration)
• Director IC (identification card)
• Bank statement
• Business description

Verification timelines vary. Some providers complete it within a few business days; others take longer depending on the business type.

Understanding the costs

Card payment costs in Malaysia are built from several components. The headline number is the merchant discount rate (MDR), but it is not the full picture.

Merchant discount rate (MDR)

The MDR is the percentage fee charged per transaction. In Malaysia, MDR for card payments typically ranges from 1% to 3%, depending on:

• Card type: debit cards are generally cheaper than credit cards
• Card origin: domestic cards are cheaper than international cards
• Payment method: FPX (bank transfer) is typically the lowest-cost method, followed by Wallet, then Card

The MDR is deducted from each transaction before settlement.

Per-transaction flat fees

Some providers charge a fixed amount per transaction on top of the MDR. For small transactions, this flat fee can matter more than the percentage. If your average transaction is below MYR 50.00, compare the flat fee carefully across providers.

Setup and monthly fees

Some payment gateways charge setup fees or monthly platform fees. Others offer a free plan with no upfront cost but a higher per-transaction rate. The trade-off: free plans suit businesses with lower transaction volumes, while paid plans with lower per-transaction rates save money at higher volumes.

Hidden costs to ask about

Before signing up with any provider, ask about:

• Currency conversion markup on international card transactions
• Chargeback fees
• Refund processing fees
• Minimum monthly transaction requirements

These costs are not always listed on the headline pricing page but can add up.

Online vs in-store card payments

	Online	In-store
Setup	Payment gateway integration	Card terminal lease or purchase
How the customer pays	Enters card details on a payment page	Taps or inserts card at a terminal
Security	Payment gateway handles PCI DSS compliance	Terminal provider handles compliance
Settlement	Via payment gateway to your bank account	Via terminal provider to your bank account
Billplz	Yes (online card payments)	No (Billplz is online-only)

Many businesses use both. Online handles your website, invoices, and payment links. In-store handles walk-in customers.

Security and compliance

PCI DSS

Any business that processes, stores, or transmits card data must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). In practice, if you use a payment gateway, the gateway handles PCI DSS compliance for you.

Billplz is PCI DSS Level 1 certified, the highest level of payment card security compliance. When your customers pay through Billplz, their card details are processed in a PCI DSS Level 1 environment. You never see or store raw card numbers.

3D Secure

3D Secure adds an authentication step for online card payments. The customer's bank verifies the transaction through a one-time password or biometric check. This reduces fraud and shifts liability away from the merchant. Payment gateways handle 3D Secure automatically.

How to accept credit card payments with Billplz

Billplz is an online payment gateway for Malaysian businesses. It handles online card payments only. If you need in-store card acceptance, get a terminal from your bank or a terminal provider. Here is how online card payments work on the platform:

1. Sign up at main.billplz.com
2. Complete KYB verification with your business documents
3. Once verified, enable Visa and Mastercard on your dashboard
4. Card payments appear on your Billplz payment page alongside FPX, Wallet, and Instalments

Card payments are available on all plans, including Basic. Supported networks are Visa and Mastercard, and settlement is T+2 business days. Billplz handles PCI DSS compliance, 3D Secure authentication, and settlement. Your customers see a clean payment page with all available methods. For developers, the integration works the same way regardless of payment method: one API, consistent callbacks and webhooks.

For current rates and plan details, see Billplz pricing. For a full list of supported payment methods, visit payment methods. For a breakdown of how card fees work, read the merchant discount rate guide.

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FAQs

How long does it take to receive credit card payment settlements?

Settlement timing depends on your payment provider and the payment method. For online card payments through Billplz, settlement is T+2 business days. FPX settles next business day. Check your provider's pricing page for their specific timelines.

Do I need to be PCI DSS certified to accept credit card payments?

If you use a payment gateway, the gateway handles PCI DSS compliance on your behalf. Billplz is PCI DSS Level 1 certified, the highest level of payment card security compliance. You never see or store raw card numbers when using a payment gateway.

Can I accept international credit cards?

Yes. Most Malaysian payment gateways accept international Visa and Mastercard payments. International card transactions typically carry a higher merchant discount rate than domestic cards. Check your provider's pricing page for international card rates.