Website requirements

Website Requirements

To ensure compliance and provide a secure, transparent experience for cardholders, merchants must adhere to the following website requirements.

1. Domain Registration

The merchant must be the operator of the website, with the domain registration reflecting this (proof may be required upon request).

2. Company Information

The website must display the following details:

• Full legal company name, as shown on the registration document.
• Legal company address.
• Country of registration.
• Registration number.
• Phone number.
• Email address.

3. Terms and Conditions

To ensure clear communication and legal protection for both the website owner and users (cardholders), it is important to have a detailed set of terms and conditions readily accessible. It is highly advisable to implement a checkbox for users to actively accept these terms and conditions, as this serves as an essential legal safeguard for all parties involved.

For further transparency, the website should clearly present its policies on refunds, returns, shipping, and cancellations, including providing the complete return shipping address. This is not applicable to digital products, sanitary products, and similar exceptions.

The website must clearly outline policies regarding:

• Payment options and information on when the funds are withdrawn.
• Shipping options and delivery time intervals.
• Cancellation rights.
• Legal warranty and complaint options.

4. Privacy Policy and Data Protection

Clear documentation must be provided on how user data is collected, stored, and protected, especially for businesses handling sensitive information.

5. Bank Statement Descriptor

Per default, the bank statement descriptor is set to the domain name. Cardholders should easily recognize charges on their bank statements through clear transaction descriptions, also known as statement or billing descriptors. If a charge is unrecognizable, it may lead to chargebacks. To prevent this, ensure your transaction description prominently features your brand or merchant name familiar to the cardholder, with optional customization for added clarity.

6. Recurring Transactions and Transactions in series

For recurring transactions and transactions processed as a part of a transaction series, including subscriptions via card payments, specific requirements as per card scheme guidelines must be followed: Mastercard rules & Visa Rules.

Clearhaus will always provide feedback and guidance in accordance with the latest available card scheme requirements.

7. Checkout and Payment Page

• The merchant’s country must be clearly displayed throughout the checkout process. 
• Up-to-date VISA and Mastercard logos (if applicable) must be included.
• It must be clear that the terms and conditions are accepted upon payment.
• Upon completion of a payment, cardholders must receive a receipt for the purchased product. 

8. Product/Service Information

The website must provide clear descriptions of products or services, including:

• Prices, currencies, and any applicable fees.
• Product images, where applicable.
• Price information including VAT.

9. SSL Encryption

The website must be secured with SSL encryption to protect user data and transactions.

10. Additional Requirements

Depending on the business model, additional requirements may apply, such as:

• License information for regulated business activities.
• Compliance with Industry-Specific Regulations (PCI DSS).
• Compliance with Local Legal Notices.
• Third Party Certification.
• Age verification for restricted products or services.

11. Test-URL Requirements (if applicable)

If only a Test-URL is provided, the following information must be included: 

• Descriptions of at least three products.
• Full company information (as detailed above).
• Refund, Return, Shipping, and Cancellation Policies (with exceptions noted as above).
• Login information to the test URL if necessary.

The above requirements ensure that the website meets the necessary standards.  At all times it is the responsibility of the merchant to keep up to date with changes to legal requirements etc. to their business model.

Useful links

• Gateways: Without a gateway, it is not possible to receive payments. Check which gateways we support here.
• Consumer rights in the EU: Check out the Consumer rights within the EU here.
• Is the domain taken: Check ownership of the domain you wish to use at whois.domaintools.com.