Want to accept card payments in Jamaica? You need a payment gateway. This guide compares every major option — fees, setup time, pros and cons — so you can choose the right one for your business.
Quick Comparison
| Gateway | Fees | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lynk | ~2.9% + $5 | 1-3 days | Small/medium business |
| NCB Payments | Varies (~2.5-3.5%) | 1-2 weeks | Established businesses |
| WiPay | ~3.5% | 3-5 days | Caribbean-wide |
| PayPal | 4.4% + fixed fee | Same day | International only |
| First Atlantic | Varies | 1-2 weeks | High volume |
Payment Gateways Compared
🏆 Lynk (Recommended)
Jamaica's most popular digital wallet and payment gateway. Easy to set up, reasonable fees, great mobile experience. Most Jamaicans already have Lynk.
- ✅ Easy integration with websites
- ✅ Pay by QR code, link, or card
- ✅ Fast settlement to your bank
- ✅ Good customer support
- ✅ Most customers already have it
- ⚠️ Mainly for JMD transactions
🏦 NCB Payments
Traditional merchant account through NCB. More paperwork but trusted brand and potentially lower rates for high volume.
- ✅ Trusted bank brand
- ✅ Can negotiate rates at high volume
- ✅ Direct deposit to NCB account
- ✅ POS terminals available
- ⚠️ Longer approval process
- ⚠️ More documentation required
🌴 WiPay
Caribbean-focused payment processor. Good if you serve customers across multiple Caribbean countries.
- ✅ Works across Caribbean
- ✅ Multi-currency support
- ✅ Good API for developers
- ⚠️ Slightly higher fees
- ⚠️ Less brand recognition in Jamaica
🅿️ PayPal
Global brand, but Jamaica accounts have limitations. Best used for international customers alongside a local gateway.
- ✅ International customers trust it
- ✅ Easy to set up
- ✅ Buyer protection
- ⚠️ Can't withdraw to Jamaica banks directly
- ⚠️ Higher fees
- ⚠️ Account holds and freezes possible
💼 First Atlantic Commerce
Enterprise-grade payment processing. Best for larger businesses with significant transaction volume.
- ✅ Full-featured payment platform
- ✅ Multi-currency
- ✅ Good fraud protection
- ⚠️ Designed for larger businesses
- ⚠️ More complex integration
How to Choose the Right Gateway
Choose Lynk if:
- You're a small to medium Jamaica business
- Most customers are local
- You want easy setup
- You need mobile payments
Choose NCB Payments if:
- You're an established business
- You process high volume
- You want POS terminals
- You already bank with NCB
Choose WiPay if:
- You serve Caribbean customers
- You need multi-currency
- You're a developer wanting API flexibility
Use PayPal + Local Gateway if:
- You have international customers
- Customers specifically request PayPal
- You can handle USD through Payoneer or similar
💡 Our Recommendation
Most Jamaica businesses should start with Lynk for local customers. Add PayPal if you have international customers. This combination covers 95% of use cases.
Requirements to Get Approved
Payment gateways need to verify your business. Have these ready:
- ✅ Business Registration (COJ certificate)
- ✅ TRN (Taxpayer Registration Number)
- ✅ Valid ID (passport or national ID)
- ✅ Business bank account
- ✅ Proof of address
- ✅ Website (for online payments)
Integration Options
For Websites:
- Payment buttons/links: Easiest option. Customer clicks, pays on gateway's page
- Embedded checkout: Payment form on your site
- API integration: Full custom integration (developer needed)
For E-commerce Platforms:
- WooCommerce: Plugins available for Lynk, WiPay
- Shopify: Limited Jamaica options, usually manual/PayPal
⚠️ PayPal Warning
Jamaica PayPal accounts have withdrawal restrictions. You cannot transfer directly to Jamaica banks. Use Payoneer, Wise, or a US bank account to access your funds. Consider this before relying on PayPal as your main gateway.
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Chargeback fees: $1,500-3,000 JMD per dispute
- Monthly minimums: Some gateways charge if you don't process enough
- Currency conversion: 2-4% on top of transaction fees
- Withdrawal fees: Some charge to transfer to your bank
- Integration costs: Developer time to set up
Security Best Practices
- SSL Certificate: Your website must have HTTPS
- PCI Compliance: Use gateway's hosted payment page to stay compliant
- Fraud monitoring: Review transactions for suspicious activity
- Strong passwords: Secure your merchant account
- Regular reviews: Check statements monthly
Need Help Setting Up Payments?
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