The UAE is one of the largest e-commerce markets in the Gulf, and BNPL (buy now, pay later) is spreading especially fast there, reaching a point where whether an installment option is offered at checkout directly affects cart completion rates. Tabby is a BNPL provider headquartered in Dubai that offers interest-free 4-installment payments across Gulf markets including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with usage concentrated in fashion, beauty, and electronics online shopping. In its home market, the UAE, Tabby has strong brand awareness and an established app user base, making it a method with a noticeable impact when selling to younger consumers.

Korean commerce businesses selling fashion, beauty, or appliance products with an average order value of several hundred dirhams or more to UAE consumers can consider introducing Tabby to lower the upfront payment burden and lift both average order value and conversion rate. For businesses centered on low-priced or digital products, card and wallet methods should take priority.

When a consumer selects Tabby at checkout, credit assessment and approval happen instantly through the Tabby app and phone verification, and the consumer pays the amount in 4 installments. From the merchant's perspective, regardless of the installment schedule, the transaction amount is generated in AED, and Hecto Financial collects it in the local currency, converts it, and settles it to the Korean merchant in whichever contracted currency — USD, KRW, or JPY — was agreed.

Through Hecto Financial, Korean corporations can consider accepting Tabby installment payments without a local UAE contract. Given the nature of BNPL, separate approval criteria based on product category and order value may apply, so prior consultation based on your product lineup is recommended.

• Country of business registration

  Confirm contract eligibility for businesses registered in Korea

• Sales channel

  The integration method differs depending on whether sales are online-only or also include offline stores in the United Arab Emirates

• Product category

  Advance confirmation is needed as to whether your category falls under restricted industries per Tabby's merchant policy

• Local regulatory compliance

  Confirmation is needed on compliance with the United Arab Emirates' payment and foreign exchange regulations (see official sources below)

Although the consumer pays in installments through Tabby, merchant settlement is processed separately from the installment schedule. UAE transaction amounts are generated in AED, and Hecto Financial collects them in the local currency, converts them, and pays the Korean merchant in whichever currency — USD, KRW, or JPY — was chosen in the contract. The settlement cycle and fee rate follow the contract terms, and for refunds, adjustment of the consumer's remaining installment schedule is handled per Tabby's policy, so the procedure should be confirmed before signing the contract.

• Central Bank of the UAEOfficial information on the United Arab Emirates payment system and related regulations. If the content of this page differs from actual regulations, the official source takes precedence.