UnionPay International is the global arm of China UnionPay, the largest card payment network in the world with over 9.4 billion cards in circulation. While it's best known in China, UnionPay is now accepted in over 180 countries and regions.
Why Accept UnionPay?
- Huge user base: Over 9.4 billion UnionPay cards worldwide
- Growing international usage: More Chinese tourists and business travelers using UnionPay abroad
- Lower fees: Typically lower than Visa and Mastercard (1.5-2.5%)
- No chargebacks: UnionPay transactions are irreversible, reducing fraud risk
How to Accept UnionPay
Through Your Existing Payment Processor
Most major payment processors now support UnionPay, including Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, and Worldpay. Usually you can enable it with just a few clicks in your account settings.
Through a UnionPay Acquirer
More complex but may offer lower fees. Work directly with a UnionPay acquirer for higher-volume businesses.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Large and growing user base
- Lower transaction fees
- No chargebacks
- Accepted worldwide
Cons
- Limited support for recurring payments
- Some acquirers have strict verification
- Less well-known in Western markets
Conclusion
UnionPay International is a valuable payment method for merchants who want to attract Chinese customers. With its large user base, lower fees, and global acceptance, it's worth adding to your payment options. Check out our Payments guide for more.