1st Merchant Account

If you live outside the United States and you have established an online presence, chances are that many of your customers are American. To enhance the business relationship with them is in your best interest to get an international merchant account.

Unfortunately to get a merchant account if you are an international merchant could be really a nightmare. You may encounter several problems in obtaining a US merchant account and often it will cost you more money and it will take more time only for the fact that you are a foreigner.

However there are few recommended ways to get yourself started with an international merchant account system:

1. Establish a US business presence

2. Choose a company that is specialized in doing business with foreigners and that is experienced on international merchant accounts

3. Use a third party processing company

Most probably establishing a US Business presence is the best way to go to easily get your international merchant account system. Generally you will need to incorporate your company in one of US states. The best choice are Nevada and Delaware due to their business friendly regulations and low fees for incorporation. If you choose to incorporate your business you need an experienced firm that will set up a business mailing address with mail forwarding to your country, a US telephone number and assistance in filling out on your behalf all the legal papers requested by law.

Always choose a specialized company that has a long track record in dealing with foreigners for establishing a US business presence and an international merchant account. If they are experienced setting up for you a merchant account credit card processing it will be a pleasant experience and not a nightmare.

In case your business requires a high volume of credit cards transactions, you can choose for a merchant account provider without the need of an international merchant account solution. Luckily there are several merchant account service providers that deal with foreign businesses and they allow you to accept credit cards at your website even if you are a foreigner and you don't have a US bank account. However expect to pay higher set up fees and higher transaction costs.