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What is JCB, how does it work, and how can merchants integrate this payment method into their e-commerce store?
JCB: Credit card for shoppers in Hong Kong and beyond
Hong Kong’s e-commerce market is worth around $3.7 billion. While the market size is relatively small on a global scale, Hong Kong is notable for its advanced e-commerce infrastructure and great growth potential. The online shopping market is projected to expand in the future, reinforced by the fact that only a quarter of Hong Kong citizens currently shops online. E-commerce accounts for just 11% of Hong Kong’s total retail spend. Although Hong Kong lacks the rural population that typically looks to access the wide-ranging retail choice that e-commerce offers, this is both a challenge and an opportunity for merchants in the region. To capture the interest of consumers in Hong Kong and drive loyalty among them, merchants need to implement local payment methods. One of them is JCB, a popular credit card service originating in Japan.
What is JCB?
JCB (Japan Credit Bureau) is a credit card from Japan used by over 130 million customers in 23 countries throughout over the world. Founded in 1961, JBC continues to expand its business internationally and ensures that its cards function worldwide. This is a must-have payment solution for online merchants focused on the Japanese or Hong Kong e-commerce markets.
The majority of JCB cardholders live in the Asia Pacific region, including Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Taiwan.
How does JCB work?
Consumers can use JCB cards online in the same way as credit and debit cards from major international payment networks. Once they reach the checkout, cardholders enter their card number, expiry date, and the CVV2 security code. The card and balance are instantly checked, and they get a payment confirmation within seconds.
To lower fraud risks further, JCB recommends using its 3D-Secure service (similar to MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa). JCB merchant fees are charged as a commission (percentage).
Why do merchants and consumers use JCB?
Every online business should consider accepting credit cards as a form of payment to maintain a good cash flow and boost sales. Credit card acceptance can also help legitimize an e-commerce business and make it more competitive in the local market. Displaying the logos of the accepted credit cards is bound to attract the cardholder’s attention and make them more likely to trust your business. Accepting credit card payments also helps merchants to reach a larger number of customers and increase sales.
Credit card transactions are fast and convenient for both the customer and the business owner. The money is deposited directly into the merchant’s business’s bank account by the credit card processor within a matter of days. This will improve the cash flow while reducing problems with bounced checks or collection issues with customers.
With over 25% of all Japanese transactions being paid with JCB, supporting this payment method is crucial for merchants wanting to penetrate the Japanese e-commerce market and other markets in the region, such as Hong Kong. JCB merchant fees are usually charged as a per-transaction commission (percentage).
How can I start accepting JCB?
There are not many JCB Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and Merchant Acquirers (MAs) as for MasterCard and Visa because of the limited popularity of JCB compared to the credit card giants.
E-commerce companies can easily accept JCB credit cards by implementing a payment gateway from a payment service provider that offers global coverage. This lets merchants start accepting payments efficiently and improve the customer experience for a higher conversion rate.
JCB FAQs (6)
In which countries is JCB used?
JCB is used in over 190 countries all over the world. Most JCB cardholders live in the Asia Pacific region, in countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Taiwan. The card is also accepted in EMEA countries such as Germany, Russia, Austria, and Spain.
What are the advantages of accepting JCB as a payment method?
By accepting JCB, merchants can access the Japanese and Asian Pacific markets. As most transactions in Japan are paid with credit cards, offering this payment method is essential for online businesses looking to expand into these regions. Accepting JCB also helps merchants increase sales by reaching more customers and improving their cash flow through faster payments.
What are JCB merchant fees?
JCB merchant fees are usually charged as a commission (percentage) per transaction. These fees can be different depending on the payment service provider you use. It is important to research and compare providers to find one that offers better rates and fewer commissions.
What are the interchange fees of JCB?
Interchange fees are set by the card issuer and vary depending on each transaction. These fees cover the costs associated with processing credit cards, including fraud prevention and chargeback costs. The interchange rates for JCB in Japan can range from 0.6% to 1.7%.
Is JCB a secure payment method?
Yes, JCB is a secure and reliable payment method. The card issuer provides enhanced security measures to protect customers from fraud. In addition, all transactions are encrypted with modern SSL technology for maximum protection.
Is JCB the same as MasterCard?
JCB is a payment network in its own right and has different rules than other networks such as MasterCard or Visa. The card issuer imposes interchange fees, merchant fees, and security requirements when accepting payments with JCB cards.
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