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-bill with a payment term, 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 costs, risk distribution, and conversion impact — the right choice depends on shopping basket size, target audience, and risk tolerance.

This guide shows you the four purchase-on-invoice 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 significantly more than the classic dispatch of invoices by post. Consumers understand it to mean any payment method where 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 arrives as a TWINT notification on their smartphone.

For merchants, this distinction is crucial because a different risk distribution, cost structure, and technical integration lies behind each model. The core question is not “Should I offer purchase on invoice?”, but “Which purchase-on-invoice model suits 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 HWZ E-Commerce Sentiment Barometer confirms that purchase on invoice, with around 70% popularity, continues to be among the most requested payment methods by Swiss consumers.

2. The four models at a glance: Classic invoice, QR-bill, BNPL with risk assumption, TWINT Pay Later

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

Model 1: Classic invoice (own risk)

You send the goods together with an invoice — by post or as a PDF via email. Customers typically have a payment term of 10 to 30 days. You bear the full default risk and are responsible for reminders and collections yourself. No transaction fees are charged, but costs arise from payment defaults and administration.

Model 2: QR-bill in checkout

The Swiss QR-bill (Swiss QR Invoice) is offered as a payment method in checkout. After placing an order, buyers receive a QR-bill that they pay via their e-banking app or by scanning it. Payment reconciliation takes place automatically via CAMT.054 notifications from the bank. The default risk lies with you as the merchant. The costs via Payrexx Pay amount to 0.60% (Free) or 0.50% (Standard/Premium), minimum CHF 1.50 per transaction.

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

Buy Now Pay Later providers (BNPL) fully take over the credit check and default risk. Customers pay the BNPL provider, and you receive your money guaranteed — minus a transaction fee. With Payrexx, Klarna charges 2.40% + CHF 0.30 (Free/Standard) or 1.60% + CHF 0.20 (Premium). CembraPay and POWERPAY are integrated as external third-party providers, with separate conditions.

Model 4: TWINT Pay Later

TWINT Pay Later 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 term 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 third-party providers

Risk distribution is the central difference between the models. With the classic invoice and the QR-bill, you as the merchant bear the full default risk. If a customer does not pay, you must send reminders yourself, initiate debt collection if necessary, and in the worst case write off the amount.

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 comes at a price: transaction fees are higher than with the QR-bill.

In concrete terms: With a shopping basket of CHF 120, you pay CHF 1.50 in fees for the QR-bill via Payrexx Pay (minimum fee; 0.50–0.60% only applies from a shopping basket of around CHF 250–300). With Klarna (Standard), CHF 3.18 is incurred (2.40% + CHF 0.30). In return, you bear no default risk with Klarna. 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 various models

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

* Minimum fee CHF 1.50 per transaction.

For CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment, individual conditions apply, which you negotiate 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 basket of CHF 150 and 500 purchase-on-invoice orders per month, the cost calculation in the Standard plan looks like this: The QR-bill costs you CHF 750 per month (500 × minimum fee of CHF 1.50, since 0.50% of CHF 150 would only be CHF 0.75). Klarna costs CHF 1’950 (2.40% + CHF 0.30 × 500). The difference of around CHF 1’200 per month is the price for full risk assumption by Klarna.

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

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

Klarna is the most internationally well-known BNPL provider. In Switzerland, Klarna offers purchase on invoice (14 or 30 days), instalment payments, and immediate payment. Klarna fully assumes the credit check and default risk. Available in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy.

CembraPay (Cembra Money Bank) is a Swiss provider offering purchase on invoice with and without an instalment payment option. CembraPay is aimed at medium to large shops and offers guaranteed payouts. Terms are negotiated individually.

POWERPAY (MF Group AG) is likewise a Swiss provider with a focus on purchase on invoice and instalment payments. POWERPAY takes over credit checks and collections. Particularly widespread in the Swiss fashion and lifestyle segment.

Ideal Payment is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to negotiate terms individually and adapt processes to their business model. The entry threshold is lower than with CembraPay or POWERPAY.

TWINT Pay Later is not an independent BNPL provider, but a feature 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 suits which shop? Decision aid by industry and risk profile

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

Small shopping baskets below CHF 50 (e.g. groceries, cosmetics): Here, fixed fees and minimum fees eat up a disproportionately large share – including the minimum fee of CHF 1.50 for the QR-bill. With small baskets, purchase on invoice is rarely economical; TWINT or card are usually the better choice here.

Medium shopping baskets from CHF 50 to 200 (e.g. fashion, books, household): The sweet spot for BNPL. Klarna and TWINT Pay Later offer the best compromise between costs and risk protection here. The conversion impact is particularly strong in this segment because customers want to inspect the goods before paying.

Large shopping baskets over CHF 200 (e.g. electronics, furniture, sports): BNPL with instalment payments (Klarna) becomes a conversion driver. However, the QR-bill with a clear payment term also works well here — provided you have a functioning reminder system.

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

New customers without purchase history: BNPL with risk assumption. The default risk is highest here, and credit checks by Klarna or CembraPay protect you.

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

• Define your risk profile: Are you prepared to bear the default risk yourself, or do you want to outsource it?

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

• Compare transaction fees: Calculate with your actual order volume, not benchmark values.

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

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

• Set up a dunning process if you offer QR-bill or classic invoice (own risk).

• Test the checkout experience: Is the purchase-on-invoice option presented clearly and comprehensibly?

• Inform yourself about the credit check: What data is collected, and how does a rejection affect the customer experience?

Payrexx offers Swiss online shops multiple purchase-on-invoice models via a single Dashboard: QR-bill and TWINT Pay Later are available directly via Payrexx Pay, Klarna 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 per order themselves; instead, customers decide at checkout which variant they prefer.