Getting paid is the most important part of e-commerce. But in Jamaica, accepting online payments has always been complicated. Stripe doesn't work here, PayPal has limitations, and bank integrations are confusing.
This guide breaks down every payment option for Jamaica online stores — with real fees, setup requirements, and our honest recommendations.
Your Options at a Glance
| Provider | JMD | USD | Local Cards | Intl Cards | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eZeePayments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 3-5 days |
| NCB PayExpress | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 2-4 weeks |
| PayPal | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | 1-2 days |
| Lynk | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | Same day |
| Bank Transfer | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | N/A | Instant |
Detailed Payment Options
eZeePayments 🏆 Best Overall
Jamaica-based payment processor designed for local businesses. The easiest option for accepting both local and international card payments.
💰 Fees
- Setup: Free
- Local cards (Jamaica): 3.5%
- International cards: 4.5%
- Withdrawal to bank: Free
Pros: Fast setup, JMD + USD, accepts NCB/Scotiabank cards, local support, WooCommerce plugin available
Cons: Newer company (less brand recognition than banks)
Best for: Most Jamaica e-commerce businesses
NCB PayExpress
National Commercial Bank's payment gateway. Trusted bank brand, but longer setup process and monthly fees.
💰 Fees
- Setup: ~$15,000 JMD one-time
- Monthly: ~$2,500 JMD
- Local transactions: 3.5%
- International: 4.5%
Pros: Trusted bank brand, stable, customers recognize NCB
Cons: 2-4 week approval, monthly fees, paperwork heavy
Best for: Established businesses with high volume
PayPal Easy Setup
Global payment platform. Great for international customers, but USD only — not ideal for local Jamaica sales.
💰 Fees
- Setup: Free
- Transactions: 4.4% + $0.30 USD
- Currency conversion: +2.5%
- Withdrawal to Jamaica bank: $5 USD
Pros: Instant setup, trusted globally, buyer protection
Cons: USD only, not all Jamaicans have PayPal, high fees
Best for: International customers, diaspora market
Lynk
Jamaica mobile payment app. Very popular locally, especially with younger customers. JMD only.
💰 Fees
- Setup: Free
- Transactions: 1.5%
- Withdrawal: Free
Pros: Lowest fees, instant setup, popular with locals
Cons: JMD only, customer must have Lynk app, not for international
Best for: Local-only sales, adding as an extra option
Bank Transfer (Manual)
Customer sends money directly to your bank account. You verify and ship.
💰 Fees
- Setup: Free
- Transactions: $0
Pros: No fees, works with any bank
Cons: Manual verification, slower, customer experience not great
Best for: High-value items, B2B sales, as backup option
Our Recommendation
For most Jamaica e-commerce stores, we recommend this combination:
- Primary: eZeePayments — handles local + international cards
- Secondary: PayPal — for international customers who prefer it
- Optional: Lynk — for local customers who prefer mobile payment
This combination covers 95%+ of customers with reasonable fees.
💡 Pro Tip: Offer Multiple Options
Don't force customers into one payment method. Offering cards, PayPal, AND bank transfer increases your conversion rate. Some customers prefer one over the other.
Integration with Your Store
How you connect payment gateways depends on your platform:
WooCommerce (WordPress)
Best flexibility. eZeePayments and NCB have WooCommerce plugins. PayPal is built-in. You can add any gateway with plugins or custom code.
Shopify
Limited options. Can use PayPal. For local gateways, you'll need third-party apps or manual payment workarounds.
Custom Website
Full control. Your developer can integrate any gateway via API. Most flexible but requires technical work.
Getting Started Checklist
- ☐ Register your business (TRN required for most gateways)
- ☐ Open a business bank account
- ☐ Apply for eZeePayments or NCB PayExpress
- ☐ Set up PayPal Business account
- ☐ Integrate gateways into your website
- ☐ Test with small transactions before going live
Need Payment Integration Help?
We build e-commerce stores with payment gateways already integrated. eZeePayments, NCB, PayPal — all ready to accept payments from day one.
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