Purchase on account in the Swiss online shop: models, costs and providers at a glance

Swiss online shops can offer purchase on invoice in four different ways today: as a classic QR invoice with payment terms, as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) with risk assumption by providers like 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

The term "purchase on invoice" in Switzerland now encompasses significantly more than the traditional dispatch of invoices by post. Consumers understand it to mean any payment method where they receive goods first and pay 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 comerciantes, this distinction is crucial because a different risk distribution, cost structure, and technical integration lie behind each model. The core question is not "Should I offer purchase on invoice?", but "Which purchase on invoice model fits my business?".

According to the online comerciante survey by the ZHAW, around 70% of Swiss online comerciantes offer some form of purchase on invoice. The E-Commerce Sentiment Barometer of the HWZ confirms that purchase on invoice, with around 70% popularity, continues to be among the most requested payment methods by Swiss consumers.

2. Overview of the four models: Classic invoice, QR invoice, 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 dunning and collections yourself. No transaction fees apply, but costs arise from payment defaults and administration.

Model 2: QR invoice in checkout

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

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

Buy Now Pay Later providers (BNPL) take over credit checks and the default risk completely. Customers pay the BNPL provider, and you receive your money guaranteed — minus a transaction fee. With Payrexx, Klarna charges 2.40% + EUR 0.30 (Free/Standard) or 1.60% + EUR 0.20 (Premium). CembraPay and POWERPAY are connected as external External providers, with separate terms.

Model 4: TWINT Pay Later

TWINT Pay Later is a Swiss BNPL product operated by Swissbilling. Buyers choose TWINT at checkout and select the "Pay Later" option — they receive a payment term of 30 days. The credit check runs in the background. Transaction fees are 2.30% + EUR 0.30 (Free) or 2.30% + EUR 0.18 (Standard/Premium).

3. Who bears the risk? Own risk vs guaranteed payment by External provider

The risk distribution is the key difference between the models. With the classic invoice and the QR invoice, you as the comerciante bear the full default risk. If a customer does not pay, you must issue reminders yourself, possibly initiate debt collection, 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 ultimately pays. This protection comes at a price: Transaction fees are higher than with the QR invoice.

In concrete terms: For a shopping basket of EUR 120, you pay EUR 1.50 in fees with the QR invoice via Payrexx Pay (minimum fee; 0.50–0.60% only applies from a shopping basket of around EUR 250–300). With Klarna (Standard), EUR 3.18 applies (2.40% + EUR 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 comerciante: Fee structure of the different models

The cost structure varies considerably depending on the model. Here are the fees in direct comparison for Swiss transactions:

* Minimum fee EUR 1.50 per transaction.

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

Calculation example: With an average shopping basket of EUR 150 and 500 purchase on invoice orders per month, the cost calculation in the Standard plan looks like this: The QR invoice costs you EUR 750 per month (500 × minimum fee of EUR 1.50, as 0.50% of EUR 150 would only be EUR 0.75). Klarna costs EUR 1,950 (2.40% + EUR 0.30 × 500). The difference of around EUR 1,200 per month is the price for the complete risk assumption 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 well-known BNPL provider. In Switzerland, Klarna offers purchase on invoice (14 or 30 days), instalment payments, and immediate payments. Klarna assumes credit checks and default risk entirely. 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-sized to large shops and provides guaranteed payout. Conditions 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 that want to agree upon terms individually and adapt processes to their business model. The entry barrier is lower than with CembraPay or POWERPAY.

TWINT Pay Later is not an independent BNPL provider, but rather 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 fits which shop? Decision guide by industry and risk profile

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

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

Medium shopping baskets from EUR 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 EUR 200 (e.g., electronics, furniture, sports): BNPL with instalment payments (Klarna) becomes a conversion driver. But the QR invoice with clear payment terms also works here — provided you have a functioning dunning system.

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

New customers without purchase history: BNPL with risk assumption. Default risk is highest here, and the credit check by Klarna or CembraPay protects you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Find out about credit checks: 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 invoice 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 External providers. All methods can be activated in parallel — comerciantes do not choose per order themselves, but customers decide in the checkout which option they prefer.