PayPal is one of the world's first online payment solutions. Founded in 1998, PayPal has grown to become the leader for safe online transactions over the last 20 years.
Today, PayPal dominates with a market share of 61.44%, with competitors trailing far behind.
Despite its global popularity, however, PayPal hasn't grown in popularity over the years as a preferred payment solution in Malaysia. One of the main reasons for this is Malaysians' preference for FPX (online bank transfer) payments online, a channel which PayPal doesn't support.
Lately, PayPal has even ceased its physical office in Malaysia, causing some concerns if PayPal will continue to support Malaysian accounts (note: it will).
Regardless, there is still a huge advantage of knowing how to use PayPal to grow your online income.
If you've heard about PayPal, but aren't sure how it works, how you can use it for your e-commerce business, I've prepared this quick guide to help you understand how PayPal works and how you can get started with one.
What is PayPal and How does it Work?
PayPal is an easy and secure way to send and receive payments online. As a buyer, you connect your credit card or debit card to PayPal and then make payments through PayPal.
As a seller, you can accept payments using PayPal by integrating it with the e-commerce store of your choice.
Buyers with a PayPal account can make payments to seller PayPal accounts through their PayPal balance or their linked credit or debit cards.
Benefits of using PayPal for E-commerce
Internationally recognised payment solution
With one of the largest market shares in the world, PayPal is one of the most widely recognised payment solutions in countries like the US.
If you're planning to sell to countries like the US, PayPal would be a more trusted solution compared to our local payment gateways like MOLPay and iPay88.
Seller protection
PayPal provides seller protection to sellers who use PayPal to accept payments. This can help prevent fraudulent payment activities to your account.
Integration with most E-commerce Platforms
You can easily integrate PayPal with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, EasyStore and BigCommerce. Usually, only a one-click install and login is required.
Disadvantages of using PayPal for E-commerce
Not widely used in Malaysia
PayPal is not a widely acceptable payment method in Malaysia. If your customers are mainly based in Malaysia, you'll probably lose a lot of sales if you only enable PayPal as your payment option.
FPX and Bank Transfer Not Available
With PayPal, you can only accept payments using PayPal, credit cards and debit cards. You won't be able to accept FPX payments, which can be a big problem if most of your customers are from Malaysia.
Transferring money with PayPal
Transferring money to other people
Transferring money to other people is pretty straightforward if they have a PayPal account. You only need their e-mail address and make the transfer instantaneously.
Withdrawing money to yourself
If you have money in your PayPal account that you want to withdraw, you can do so by linking your account to a local bank account, debit card or credit card you want to withdraw to. PayPal can link to most popular banks in Malaysia such as Maybank, Public Bank and CIMB Bank.
When transferring money to your local bank account or credit card, expect to wait anywhere between 2 - 5 working days for the transfer to be completed. Transfers to VISA cards can sometimes happen instantly.
PayPal Fees
Transaction Fees
When you receive payments with PayPal, PayPal will charge you a transaction fee. For most sellers, this starts at a 3.4% + RM2. Buyers won't get charged any transaction fees.
Setup & Annual Fees
It's free to setup an account with PayPal and there are no annual fees.
PayPal Fees vs iPay88 Fees
Here's how PayPal's fees compare to our popular local payment gateway fees in Malaysia:
Fees | PayPal | iPay88* |
|---|---|---|
Transaction Fees | 3.4% + RM2 | 2.0 - 2.8% |
Setup Fees | None | RM2,000 - RM6,500 |
Annual Fees | None | RM500 - RM1,500 |
*Fees reflected are based on information obtained in early 2019. For latest iPay88 fees, please refer to iPay88 directly.
PayPal Alternatives in Malaysia
If you do wan't to use PayPal but for some reason can't sign up for an account, what can you do?
For now, the best alternative to PayPal in Malaysia is Stripe. It has very similar features and is widely used in the US. So if you want to sell to US customers but for some reason can't get a PayPal account, consider getting a Stripe account.
The registration process is similar and you'll need similar documents to get started. The big difference is that you won't be able to send money to other people with a PayPal account.
Creating a PayPal Account
Who can create a PayPal Account?
Anyone with a valid government ID in Malaysia can create a PayPal account.
How to create a PayPal Account
There are two types of PayPal account: PayPal personal and PayPal business.
For most people, a personal PayPal account will be enough. But for e-commerce entrepreneurs, you might want to go with a PayPal business account.
Setting up a personal PayPal account is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is sign up with a valid e-mail address and government ID.
If you want to get a PayPal business account though, you'll need both the above plus your business registration documents for verification. Be sure to only register for a business where you are listed as a director.
Even if you are selling outside Malaysia, use your verifiable local information, not a fake US address, for example.
Either way, you just have to go to PayPal, and click on "sign up" to get started!
Conclusion
PayPal provides an easy way to send and receive money online. Though, it remains a less popular payment option compared to iPay88, and MOLPay because of its inability to provide an FPX option.
For e-commerce entrepreneurs interested to sell to markets like the US, Australia, Canada and other countries where PayPal is widely used, having a PayPal account can be a huge advantage.
Most Malaysians can create a personal or business PayPal account as long as you have a valid government ID and business registration. For people who can't create a PayPal account, Stripe can be a decent alternative.
25 Responses
For business PayPal account registration a valid government ID and business registration need. Do business license is needed? What business license is for e-commerce store?
Yes, you need a registered business. Normal SSM registration will do.
Help me to get my gift from oversea to Malaysia PayPal
How long does it take to receive payment from buyer?
Payment goes from buyer to seller’s PayPal account instantaneously. But withdrawal to your local bank account can take up to 5 business days.
Madam,How to create a PayPal account?
Hi madam please help me,today 5 day's running but still i didn’t receive the money in my bank account.i did transfer money on 6 October midnight 4:40 o'clock and than they mail me withing 12 October I'll received the money but not yet i received money.my bank ac is maybank but i select there malayan banking berhad but my ac number and ac holder name is correct as same like my paypal dtail. if any missing or wrong information idid paypal will back my money in my paypal ac.
How to easy top up paypal personal acc in Malaysia, how to easy withdraw it.
You just need to link a debit or credit card to your PayPal to withdraw it. For top up, you’ll need to do it using RHB.
Hope this helps!
Halp
How?
Hi,
Is there a way to add fund into my paypal account directly from PB online banking or any other options to add fund with a debit card?
Hi,
No, only using RHB for now.
Dear madam, could you please tell me if I want to open a personal PayPal account by registering with PayPal and want to fully verify my account by PayPal authority, what type of documents I need. Because as far as I know that for full verified account it is mandatory to provide ‘Proof of Identity’ and ‘Proof of Address’ also sometimes financial documents as well, related documents (authorised and valid) to PayPal and they check those documents before fully verify an account. I want to know what type of documents are these. Could you please let me know in details about this. Thank you
Kind regards
Nazrul
Hi im from wisma fairview kajang.
can i have the cost or package for payment gateway
1. Here is our URL http://www.fairview.com.my
2. we doing business developer and property investment
3. this not about website.but we need buyer more easier to transfer money for our transaction
Here is my contact number :[redacted]
can you response as soon as possible.
Thank you
Best Regard
Masthurah
Hi Mas,
Thanks for your message. We are not a payment gateway company so won’t be able to help. You can contact PayPal directly.
Also, I redacted your phone number for your privacy as this is a public page and anyone can view and spam you.
Best,
Lu Wee
This is my Case ID: PP-009-632-413-049
My account is facing a limitation and customers are not able to make a payment. paypal has request for Company SSM to be email.
Please provide an email address which I can send over this document.
We are running an online competition globally and due to this restriction our participants are not able to make payment and we are also unable to take in registration from overseas.
Appreciate your help.
This is my Reference ID: PP-L-230924075436
My PP account is permanently limited since June. When I click resolve resolution upload my bank and IC to prove PayPal my identity and Paypal still limit my account. Even I try to call PayPal Malaysia customer service 03-77237155 many times but no one picks up the line (As I know PP Malaysia office was shut down in 2019). Till now my account still not resolve.
How can I actually resolve this issue?
Appreciate your help.
I’m not from PayPal and can’t help you. But if you have already uploaded your info, but they have not reviewed it yet, I suggest contacting their support in the Help section. I did this recently.
Ricev money
Why cant i get my Paypal account verified?
Whenever i want to add funds into my account,it lead me straight to RHB Bank and not other banks. Do Paypal supports other banks (e.g. AmBank,Public Bank)?
As a blogger with affiliate program income, if I use Paypal Business account do I need to apply for SSM? Will Paypal Business ask for SSM? I am not doing E-commerce. Thank you
Can i close PayPal account in order to used Malaysia PayPal?What should I do?
Hello,
I need your help..This is my first time using Paypal and my customer send me money via Paypal but I need to complete the transaction… Do I need to complete the transaction at the bank that I currently have??
Hi, do we need to contact our local bank (like RHB Bank) to make sure that they aware that we gonna get a payment in other currency? Or just like paypal with our bank is jut enough?