QR-bill as a payment method in the Swiss online shop: This is how it works

The Swiss QR-bill (Swiss QR Invoice) can be used as a full-fledged payment method in e-commerce checkout — not just for sending invoices by post. After placing an order, buyers receive a QR code that they scan and pay directly via their e-banking app. For merchants, the QR-bill is the most cost-effective form of purchase on account with transaction fees starting at 0.50% (at least CHF 1.50 per transaction), albeit without credit checks and without risk assumption.

This guide shows you step by step how the QR-bill works in online checkout, how you automate payment reconciliation, and which shops this model is particularly suitable for.

1. What the QR-bill is in an e-commerce context — and what it is not

The QR-bill was introduced in 2020 by the Swiss Bankers Association (SwissBanking) and SIX Group to replace the old payment slips (red and orange) with a standardised, digitally readable format. At its core, it is a standardised payment part with a Swiss QR Code containing all payment details: recipient IBAN, amount, reference number, and structured payment information.

In an e-commerce context, this means: the QR-bill is not sent on paper, but provided as a digital payment part during checkout or by email after the order. Buyers scan the QR code with their mobile banking app and initiate the payment. The QR-bill is not a BNPL solution — no credit check takes place, and the default risk lies entirely with you as the merchant.

Important: The QR-bill as a payment method in checkout is not the same as traditional invoicing. With traditional invoicing, you create an invoice manually and send it — the process is decoupled from the shop. With the QR-bill as a checkout payment method, the process is integrated into the ordering process, and payment reconciliation can be automated.

2. How the QR-bill works in online checkout: Process for buyers and merchants

The process is divided into five steps:

Step 1: The buyer selects "Purchase on account" or "QR-bill" as the payment method in the checkout. The PSP or shop system generates a QR-bill with a unique QR reference (QRR) or SCOR reference.

Step 2: The order is confirmed. The buyer receives the QR-bill as a PDF via email or directly on the order confirmation screen — with the Swiss QR Code and the payment terms.

Step 3: The buyer opens the e-banking or mobile banking app and scans the QR code. All payment information is filled in automatically. The payment is initiated with a single click.

Step 4: The buyer's bank transfers the amount to the recipient IBAN. Depending on the bank, this takes 1–2 business days within Switzerland.

Step 5: You as a merchant receive a CAMT.054 credit notification from your bank. This contains the QR reference, which allows the payment to be automatically assigned to the order.

3. Payment reconciliation: CAMT.054, reference number, and automatic assignment

Automatic payment reconciliation is the biggest efficiency gain of the QR-bill compared to traditional invoices sent by post. It works via three components:

The QR reference (QRR) is a 27-digit reference number based on the QR-IBAN. It is uniquely generated for each order. Alternatively, the Structured Creditor Reference (SCOR) according to ISO 11649 can be used, which also works Outside Switzerland.

The CAMT.054 notification is an XML file in the ISO 20022 standard that your bank provides to you automatically. It contains all credits along with their respective reference numbers. Your ERP system, accounting tool, or PSP can import this notification and automatically assign the payment to the correct order.

In practice, this means: If a customer transfers CHF 89.00 to your account containing the QR reference 21 00000 00003 13947 14300 09017, your system automatically matches the payment to order #13947. Without manual reconciliation, without sifting through bank statements.

Requirement: You need a QR-IBAN (not just a standard IBAN), which you apply for at your bank. In addition, your software must be able to process CAMT.054 notifications. Most modern ERP and accounting solutions (bexio, Abacus, Run my Accounts, Klara) support this natively. If you use the QR-bill as a payment method via Payrexx Pay, Payrexx handles the reconciliation: The payment is automatically assigned to the transaction and transferred with the weekly payout.

4. Payment terms and dunning: When is the invoice due, what happens in case of default?

Unlike BNPL providers that specify a fixed payment term of 14 or 30 days, you define the payment term yourself with the QR-bill. Typical terms are 10, 14, or 30 days from the invoice date.

If the payment deadline has passed and no payment has been received, your dunning process begins. In Switzerland, there is no statutory dunning requirement — you can basically initiate debt collection proceedings directly after the deadline expires. In practice, however, a stepped process is recommended:

Payment reminder after 5–7 days overdue, formulated politely. First warning after 14 days overdue, with a new payment term of 10 days. Second warning after another 10 days, threatening debt collection. Debt enforcement request (Betreibungsbegehren) at the responsible debt collection office (Art. 67 SchKG) if payment is still not made.

The costs for a debt enforcement request range between CHF 7 and CHF 400 depending on the claim amount according to the Schedule of Fees under the SchKG (GebV SchKG). You as the creditor must advance these costs.

5. QR-bill vs. traditional invoice by post: What changes for online shops

Switching to the QR-bill as a checkout payment method offers several advantages over sending traditional invoices:

6. Which shops and industries the QR-bill is particularly suitable for

The QR-bill as a checkout payment method is particularly suitable for:

B2B shops and ordering platforms where corporate clients are accustomed to paying by bank transfer. The QR-bill makes this process digital and automatable.

Shops with a high proportion of regular customers where the default risk is known and low. If you know that 95% of your customers pay reliably, you do not need expensive BNPL risk coverage.

Shops with high average order values (over CHF 200), where the percentage fee of the QR-bill (0.50%, min. CHF 1.50) is significantly cheaper than the BNPL fee (2–3%).

Clubs, associations, and non-profit organisations where membership fees and donations are collected via QR-bill.

The QR-bill is less suitable for shops with a high share of new customers and small basket sizes in the fashion or lifestyle segment — here, the default risk is high, and BNPL with risk coverage is the better choice.

Checklist: Setting up the QR-bill as a payment method in your online shop

• Apply for a QR-IBAN with your Swiss bank if you do not already have one.

• Check whether your PSP or shop system supports the QR-bill as a checkout payment method.

• Ensure that your accounting software can process CAMT.054 notifications.

• Define the payment term (10, 14, or 30 days) and communicate it clearly on the QR-bill.

• Set up an automated dunning process: payment reminder, 1st warning, 2nd warning.

• Decide whether to offer the QR-bill alongside BNPL methods — both can be offered at the same time.

• Test the process: Place an order in your own shop, scan the QR code, and check if the matching works.