Credit card is the leading payment method of choice for shoppers in Brazil. A recent survey showed that a whopping 69% of customers in the country prefer card over any other method of payment, which just proves that now more than ever, a Brazil merchant account is no less than a necessity.
Businesses operating in Brazil would do well to accommodate the payment option that most shoppers prefer. And the only way to do that would be to set up your Brazil merchant account. Wondering how? Shark Processing can help you.
A Brazilian merchant account is a special financial product that’s offered strictly to businesses. Banks provide the service as a method for businesses to accept and process electronic payments. The Brazil merchant account serves its function as a virtual storeroom for money that’s paid through an international card issuer.
These specialized bank accounts are established with merchant acquiring banks. Your chosen bank will function as the intermediary between your merchant account in Brazil and the card issuer.
How exactly does that happen? Here’s how a Brazilian merchant account works:
Electronic payments take mere seconds to complete, save for the disbursal step. Charges for the process range from 0.5% to 5.0% of the total transaction cost, and this fee is usually baked into the payment that the buyer sends over.
In some cases, businesses can impose the processing fee on their buyers to offset the charge. That’s why some businesses impose up to 5% of the transaction cost on purchases paid for with card.
If you’re operating a microbusiness that caters to just a very small market within your vicinity, then a merchant account in Brazil might not be necessary. These businesses can be things like home kitchens or bakeries that only supply products and services to a very small community of prospective buyers.
But if you run a business with services or products that can be sold online, or that can be shipped to different parts of the globe, then a merchant account in Brazil should be a major consideration.
Ambitious businesses that want to target an audience outside of their immediate sphere would do well to open up a Brazilian merchant account. Allowing card-not-present transactions, an international merchant account in Brazil can also pave the way for online operations if you don’t have it set up already.
The process of applying for a merchant account in Brazil is no different from the process of opening up a standard deposit account for your business. The first step of course, would be to choose your partner bank. Remember that fees and rates vary from bank to bank, so it’s important to shop around if you want to get the best rates.
Once you’ve chosen your desired partner bank, then you can get started on the application process. Requirements vary from bank to bank, but if your chosen financial institution already knows you, then they might not require too much paperwork.
Having an established relationship with a banking partner can expedite the approval process, especially if all of your accounts are in good standing. Keep in mind though that there will still be instances of rejection, even if you’ve had previously problem free relations with your chosen banking partner.
The reason? Risk. This is what distinguishes the Brazilian merchant account from other kinds of bank accounts. Unlike a standard deposit account, a merchant account in Brazil can be subject to chargebacks. This happens when a buyer decides to request a refund for their purchase, whatever reason they might have.
It can also happen as the result of fraudulent transactions. And when the chargeback is set into motion, your merchant acquiring bank is responsible for reversing the payment. This involves yet another intricate process that costs added fees to complete.
And because no one wants to reverse a perfectly good payment, banks will shy away from businesses that are likely to be met with frequent chargebacks. They label these business as high risk merchant accounts in Brazil.
Banks will measure your risk depending on a number of factors. The most relevant is the industry that you’re operating in. Certain industries are considered high risk, and merchants that are involved in these select industries will typically have the hardest time getting their Brazilian merchant account approved.
These industries include, but are not limited to:
More than your industry though, banks will also look into other aspects of your business. Other factors that can negatively affect your risk rating include:
The problem with being recognized as a high risk merchant account is that banks are typically conservative. So, they’re more likely to reject applications from businesses that might pose a liability threat.
That said, high risk merchant accounts in Brazil can be harder to set up especially if you’re trying to do it without assistance. And that’s exactly what Shark Processing is for.
There are a number of international banking partners out there with a relaxed risk appetite. These institutions willingly accept applications from hard-to-place merchants looking to get approval for their Brazilian merchant accounts. But they’re not always that easy to find. And even if you do find one, there’s no assurance that they’d be the right partner for your business.
And that’s where Shark Processing comes in. We’re merchant account specialists that provide assistance for hard-to-place merchants. Our goal is to help you find the ideal banking partner by assessing your business information and pairing you with one of our many trusted banking institutions.
We’ve aligned ourselves with some of the most reputable international banks that offer more relaxed requirements for high risk merchants in Brazil. But more than simply pairing you off with any bank on the list, we perform our due diligence to guarantee that we’re weaving nothing short of a partnership that’s built to last.
Enjoy the benefits of world class merchant account solutions that promise to streamline the set-up process for your new account, including:
Unlike other merchant account assistance services that charge fees up front, we make things easy for our clients by doing away with the added expenses. Enjoy professional merchant account assistance in Brazil that’s risk free. At Shark Processing, you’ve got nothing to lose.
With close to two thirds of the buying population in Brazil preferring to pay with card, businesses would do well to keep up with the trends. So, if you’ve yet to set up your electronic payment facility, take this as your sign to take the leap.
Opening a merchant account in Brazil is no trivial task. As a business, we understand how important it is to you to find a banking partner that’s on the same page as you when it comes to the growth and safety of your venture. And that’s why we’re here.
Contact us today to enjoy seamless, effortless, and safe placement for your high-risk merchant account in Brazil. Or get started on the process without a moment to lose by filling up our pre-application form. Submit your details and wait for our professional staff to contact you through the information you provide.
Here at Shark Processing, approval for your Brazilian merchant account is just a day away.
