Alipay is not a method for Belgian consumers, but a cross-border method for Chinese-speaking customers who visit Belgium or shop online with Belgian stores. Operated by Ant Group, it can extend coverage to users of Asian partner wallets through the Alipay+ network, with tourist demand in cities like Brussels and Bruges, along with the local student and resident community, forming its main user base.

For merchants in Korea, priority targets are product categories with confirmed Chinese-speaking demand such as duty-free, beauty, and K-content, or services catering to the Chinese-speaking community within Belgium. Since it does not contribute to sales from local Belgian consumers, it should be considered as a separate track with a different purpose from local methods such as Bancontact.

Consumers scan a payment QR code with the Alipay app, or move from mobile web into the app, and approve with a password or biometric authentication. The consumer is billed in their home currency, such as CNY, but the merchant transaction is processed in euros (EUR) and collected by Hecto Financial. Whether payments from users of Alipay+ partner wallets can be accepted through the same integration depends on the scope of the contract, so this should be confirmed during consultation.

Integrating through Hecto Financial lets a Korean corporation consider accepting Alipay without a separate local contract in Belgium. The scope of Alipay+ partner wallet coverage, industry screening criteria, and settlement cycle, fees, and currency options require confirmation with the Hecto Financial sales team before contracting.

• Business registration country

  Confirm whether contracting is possible on a Korea-based business basis

• Sales channel

  The integration method and priority differ depending on the mix of online sales channels, such as a direct-to-consumer store, marketplace, or mobile app

• Product categories handled

  Advance confirmation is needed on whether your industry falls under a restricted category per Alipay's merchant policy

• EU regulatory compliance

  Confirmation is needed on compliance with EU payment regulations such as PSD2 and SEPA (see official sources below)

The merchant's share of funds is collected by Hecto Financial in euros (EUR), then converted and settled to the merchant in Korea in the currency selected at contracting among USD, KRW, and JPY (the cycle follows the contract terms). The amount displayed to the consumer in the app, such as in CNY, has no bearing on settlement. Refunds return to the consumer's wallet through the original transaction, and since the EU's 14-day withdrawal rule can apply to sales within the EU, it is advisable to also state the refund deadline clearly in customer service materials for Chinese-speaking customers.

• National Bank of BelgiumOfficial source for Belgian payment system oversight and statistics. If this page's content differs from the actual regulations, the official source takes precedence.