What is acquiring
Acquiring is the process of accepting payments from customers' bank cards and transferring them to merchants via specialized financial services.
How acquiring works
When a customer pays by card, several steps take place:
- The customer enters card details on the website or at a terminal.
- Data is sent to the acquiring bank, which processes the transaction.
- The card-issuing bank checks for available funds and approves the operation.
- Funds are reserved on the customer's account and transferred to the merchant's account.
In Kazakhstan the main acquiring players include Kaspi Bank, Halyk Bank, ForteBank and others.
Why acquiring is needed for sellers on Kaspi.kz
For sellers on Kaspi.kz, acquiring is an essential tool for accepting payments online and at pickup points:
- Customer convenience: card payment reduces cart abandonment.
- Increased conversion: about 70% of payments on Kaspi.kz go through Kaspi Bank acquiring.
- Security: acquiring provides data protection and reduces fraud risk.
- Automation of cash flows: funds are credited directly to the seller's settlement account.
Types of acquiring and features for Kazakhstani sellers
Three types of acquiring are common in Kazakhstan:
- Internet acquiring (online): accepting payments via a website or mobile app. On Kaspi.kz this is the primary payment method.
- Retail acquiring (POS terminals): accepting cards at offline pickup points and stores.
- Mobile acquiring: terminals connected to a smartphone, relevant for couriers and small sellers.
On Kaspi.kz most sellers use Kaspi Bank internet acquiring with an average commission of 2–3%, which is lower than many market rates.
Examples of acquiring operations on Kaspi.kz
An electronics seller receives orders through Kaspi.kz. The customer selects an item and pays by card using Kaspi Bank internet acquiring. Funds are automatically credited to the seller's account within 1–2 business days.
Another example — a clothing seller with a pickup point. A Kaspi Bank POS terminal is installed at the offline location, allowing card payment upon order pickup.
Practical tips for sellers on acquiring
- Choose an acquiring bank with low commission and fast settlement times.
- Use automation tools such as AWW to synchronize orders and payments.
- Provide a clear and easy payment process for customers — this reduces abandonment rates.
- Enable security measures like 3D Secure and anti-fraud checks to minimize chargebacks.
- Negotiate rates as your turnover grows and compare offers from several banks to avoid hidden fees (verification, refunds, terminal maintenance).
- Keep accurate delivery documentation and track shipments — this helps contest chargebacks.
- Monitor payment metrics and set limits for new customers to detect anomalies early.
Conclusion
Acquiring is a core component of modern commerce in Kazakhstan, especially for sellers on Kaspi.kz. By choosing the right acquiring partner, applying security and automation tools (for example, AWW), and optimizing tariffs, sellers can increase conversion, reduce fraud risk and speed up cash flow. When setting up acquiring, clarify settlement terms and supported card schemes (local and international) in the contract with the bank to ensure the solution matches your business needs.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
- How do I connect acquiring for a seller on Kaspi.kz and what steps are required?
- Connection is usually done through the seller's dashboard on Kaspi.kz: you need to submit an application to accept payments and upload a set of documents. After approval, a contract with the acquiring bank is signed and the integration is configured — via a ready-made platform module or API. In some cases a test mode and assistance with setting up terminals or online payments are provided.
- What documents are typically required to connect acquiring in Kazakhstan?
- The standard set includes company registration documents (individual entrepreneur/LLP), the director's ID, settlement account details and proof of activity (for example, a website or goods documentation). The bank may request additional documents depending on business type and expected turnover. Requirements are simpler for sole proprietors, but it is important to provide up-to-date contact details and supplier agreements if needed.
- How long does it take for funds from payment transactions to be credited to the seller's settlement account?
- Settlement time depends on the acquiring terms and the settlement schedule in the contract: typically settlements are made within 1–3 business days. Inside the Kaspi ecosystem, faster settlements are possible for platform participants, but this should be clarified in the contract. Some sellers have daily or weekly clearings depending on their agreement.
- What fees and tariffs apply to internet acquiring and how can they be optimized?
- Fees depend on the acquiring bank, card type, turnover and platform conditions — they are specified in the contract and may include a fixed fee plus a percentage per transaction. To reduce costs, negotiate individual rates as your turnover increases, choose the right tariff and use anti-fraud tools that reduce chargebacks. Compare offers from multiple banks and watch for hidden fees (verification, refunds, terminal maintenance).
- Can I accept international bank cards on Kaspi.kz and are there any restrictions?
- You can accept international cards if the acquiring bank supports international payment systems (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Restrictions may arise due to currency regulations, seller verification requirements or platform policy — some product categories may also be limited. It is recommended to agree on international card support when signing the contract and check currency conversion and commission details.
- How can I reduce the likelihood of fraud and chargebacks when accepting card payments?
- Use 3D Secure, anti-fraud scoring and manual review of suspicious orders based on risk patterns (addresses, amounts, frequent returns). Clearly document delivery processes and keep proof of shipment — this helps dispute chargebacks. Also set limits for new customers and monitor payment anomalies via bank or platform reports.
