Purchase on account in Swiss online shops: Models, costs and providers at a glance

Swiss online shops can currently offer purchase on invoice in four different ways: as a classic QR-invoice with a payment deadline, as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) with risk assumption by providers such as Klarna or CembraPay, as TWINT pay later, or as a traditional invoice by post. Each model differs fundamentally in terms of cost, risk distribution, and conversion effect — the right choice depends on shopping cart size, target group, and risk tolerance.

This guide shows you the four invoice purchase models in detail, compares the fees per transaction, and helps you choose the right model for your Swiss online shop.

1. What "purchase on invoice" means in Switzerland today — and why it is no longer just an invoice

In Switzerland, the term "purchase on invoice" now encompasses much more than the classic invoice sent by post. Consumers understand it to mean any payment method in which they receive goods first and pay only afterwards — regardless of whether the invoice appears as a QR code in e-banking, is processed via Klarna, or lands as a TWINT notification on their smartphone.

For merchants, this distinction is crucial because behind each model lies a different risk distribution, cost structure, and technical integration. The core question is not "Should I offer purchase on invoice?", but "Which invoice purchase model fits my business? ".

According to the online merchant survey by the ZHAW, around 70 % of Swiss online merchants offer some form of purchase on invoice. The E-Commerce Stimmungsbarometer of the HWZ confirms that purchase on invoice, with around 70 % popularity, remains one of the most requested payment types among Swiss consumers.

2. The four models at a glance: Classic invoice, QR-invoice, BNPL with risk assumption, TWINT pay later

The four models differ in one central point: Who bears the risk if the customer does not pay?

Model 1: Classic invoice (own risk)

You send the goods together with an invoice — by post or as a PDF by email. The customer typically has a payment period of 10 to 30 days. You bear the full risk of default and are responsible for dunning and debt collection yourself. No transaction fees are charged, but costs arise from payment defaults and administration.

Model 2: QR-invoice in the checkout

The Swiss QR-invoice (Swiss QR Invoice) is offered as a payment method in checkout. Buyers receive a QR-invoice after ordering, which they pay via their e-banking app or by scanning. The payment reconciliation is carried out automatically via CAMT.054 messages from the bank. The risk of default lies with you as the merchant. The costs via Payrexx Pay are 0.60 % (Free) or 0.50 % (Standard/Premium) with no fixed fee.

Model 3: BNPL with risk assumption (Klarna, CembraPay, POWERPAY)

Buy Now Pay Later-Anbieter (BNPL) complete credit checks and take on the risk of default completely. Customers pay the BNPL-Anbieter, and you receive your money guaranteed — minus a transaction fee. Klarna charges 2.40 % + CHF 0.30 (Free/Standard) or 1.60 % + CHF 0.20 (Premium) via Payrexx. CembraPay and POWERPAY are connected as credit card/external providers with separate conditions.

Model 4: TWINT pay later

TWINT Später bezahlen is a Swiss BNPL product operated by Swissbilling. Buyers select TWINT at the checkout and opt for the "pay later" option — they receive a payment period of 30 days. The credit check runs in the background. Transaction fees are 2.30 % + CHF 0.30 (Free) or 2.30 % + CHF 0.18 (Standard/Premium).

3. Who bears the risk? Own risk vs. guaranteed payment by external providers

The risk distribution is the key difference between the models. With the classic invoice and the QR-invoice, you as the merchant bear the full risk of default. If a customer does not pay, you have to issue reminders yourself, initiate debt collection if necessary, and write off the amount in the worst-case scenario.

With BNPL providers such as Klarna, CembraPay, or POWERPAY, as well as with TWINT pay later, the risk lies with the provider. You receive the invoice amount minus the transaction fee — regardless of whether the customer actually pays in the end. This protection has its price: transaction fees are higher than with the QR-invoice.

In concrete terms: with a shopping cart of CHF 120, you pay around CHF 0.60–0.72 in fees for the QR-invoice via Payrexx Pay. With Klarna (Standard), the cost is CHF 3.18 (2.40 % + CHF 0.30). However, with Klarna, you bear no risk of default. The question is therefore: how high is your actual default rate, and does it justify the higher BNPL fees?

4. What purchase on invoice costs the merchant: fee structure of the different models

The cost structure varies considerably depending on the model. Here is a direct comparison of the fees for Swiss transactions:

Individual conditions apply to CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment, which you agree upon directly with the provider. In addition, when connecting via an external payment provider, a Payrexx surcharge applies: 1.00 % (Free), 0.50 % (Standard), or 0.25 % (Premium).

Calculation example: with an average shopping cart of CHF 150 and 500 purchase on invoice orders per month, the cost calculation in the Standard plan looks like this: the QR-invoice costs you CHF 375 per month (0.50 % × CHF 75,000). Klarna costs CHF 1,950 (2.40 % + CHF 0.30 × 500). The difference of around CHF 1,575 per month is the price for the complete assume of risk by Klarna.

5. Providers in Switzerland: Klarna, CembraPay, POWERPAY, TWINT and others compared

The Swiss market has several established purchase on invoice providers with different strengths:

Klarna is the most internationally known BNPL provider. In Switzerland, Klarna works with purchase on invoice (14 or 30 days), instalment payments, and immediate payments. Klarna carries out the credit check and assumes the full risk of default. Available in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy.

CembraPay (Cembra Money Bank) is a Swiss provider that offers purchase on invoice with and without partial payment options. CembraPay targets medium to large shops and offers guaranteed payouts. The terms are agreed upon individually.

POWERPAY (MF Group AG) is also a Swiss provider with a focus on purchase on invoice and instalments. POWERPAY handles the credit check and dunning. It is a particularly widespread choice in the Swiss fashion and lifestyle segment.

Ideal Payment is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to arrange conditions individually and adapt processes to their business model. The entry barrier is lower than for CembraPay or POWERPAY.

TWINT pay later is not an independent BNPL provider, but rather a function within the TWINT app operated by Swissbilling. The advantage: buyers do not need to create a new account — they use their existing TWINT app. The reach in Switzerland is correspondingly high.

6. Which model fits which shop? Decision support by industry and risk profile

The choice of the right model depends on three factors: shopping cart size, target group, and risk tolerance.

Small shopping carts under CHF 50 (e.g. food, cosmetics): here, the fixed fees of BNPL providers eat up a disproportionately large share. The QR-invoice or TWINT pay later without fixed fees are often more economical.

Medium-sized shopping carts from CHF 50 to 200 (e.g. fashion, books, household items): the sweet spot for BNPL. Klarna and TWINT pay later offer the safest compromise here between cost and risk savings. The conversion effect is particularly strong in this segment, as customers want to test the items before paying.

Large shopping carts over CHF 200 (e.g. electronics, furniture, sports): BNPL with instalment payments (Klarna) becomes a key conversion driver. However, the QR-invoice with a clear payment goal also works well in this case — provided you have an effective dunning processes in place.

Regular customers with a known payment history: the QR-invoice or classic invoice is sufficient. The risk of default is low, and fees are minimal.

New customers without a buying history: BNPL with risk assumption. The risk of default is highest in this case, and the credit check run by Klarna or CembraPay protects you.

Checklist: Setting up purchase on invoice in a Swiss online shop

• Define your risk profile: are you ready to bear the default risk yourself, or do you want to transfer it?

• Check your average shopping cart size: for small amounts under CHF 50, fixed fees are particularly relevant.

• Compare transaction fees: calculate with your actual order volume, not with reference values.

• Decide whether you want to offer one or more purchase on invoice options in parallel — e.g. QR-invoice + Klarna.

• Clarify integration details: is your PSP or shop system compatible with the desired providers?

• Set up a dunning process if you offer QR-invoices or classic invoices (at your own risk).

• Test the checkout experience: is the purchase on invoice option displayed clearly and comprehensibly?

• Learn more about how credit checks work: what data is collected, and how does a rejection affect the customer experience?

Payrexx offers Swiss online shops several purchase on invoice models via a single Dashboard: QR-invoice and TWINT pay later are directly available via Payrexx Pay, while Klarna is available via Payrexx Pay Plus. In addition, CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment can be connected as External providers. All methods can be activated in parallel — merchants do not choose for each order themselves, but the customer decides in checkout which variant they prefer.