As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico has no separate currency or independent payment network — it uses the same USD and Nacha ACH infrastructure as the mainland, and most of its roughly 3.2 million consumers hold a U.S.-style checking account. For products that require recurring billing, such as streaming, SaaS, or subscription deliveries, ACH Direct Debit (automatic account withdrawal), which is unaffected by a card expiring or being reissued, becomes a stable billing method.

However, unlike approval-based card payments, ACH is a method where a withdrawal can fail (insufficient balance) or be returned afterward. Under U.S. federal Reg E (the Electronic Fund Transfer Act regulation), a consumer can dispute an unauthorized withdrawal for up to 60 days after being notified in a statement, so it's safer to focus this method on recurring billing and membership services with a modest average order value, and pair it with card or wallet payments for high-value one-off sales.

Once a consumer enters their bank account details at checkout and completes the withdrawal authorization, the withdrawal is submitted through the ACH network and is typically processed within 1-3 business days. Hecto Financial collects the transaction amount in USD and, after currency conversion, settles it to the merchant in whichever of USD, KRW, or JPY was chosen in the contract. Because a return due to an insufficient balance or a consumer dispute can arrive later, it's a good idea to decide in advance, before integration, how to time the delivery of products or services relative to withdrawal confirmation.

Through integration with Hecto Financial, a Korean entity can consider adopting ACH automatic withdrawal without a local account in the U.S. or Puerto Rico or a separate local contract. Support terms (settlement cycle, fees, risk review) vary depending on whether billing is recurring, the industry, and transaction volume, so confirmation with the Hecto Financial sales team is required before signing a contract.

• Business registration country

  Confirm whether a contract is available for merchants registered in Korea

• Sales channels

  The integration approach and priority differ depending on your online sales channel mix, such as your own store, open marketplaces, or a mobile app

• Product categories

  Confirm in advance whether your category falls under the merchant policy restrictions of the ACH Direct Debit operator

• U.S. federal regulatory compliance

  Puerto Rico falls under U.S. federal financial jurisdiction, so compliance with related regulations such as Reg E (electronic fund transfers) and card network rules needs to be confirmed (see the official sources below)

The transaction amount is first collected in USD. After a currency conversion process, it is settled to the merchant in whichever of USD, KRW, or JPY was designated in the contract, with the settlement cycle and fee rate following the contract terms. Refunds are processed as an ACH credit (a return transfer), and a subsequent return arising from a Reg E dispute may be deducted after settlement, so it is recommended to negotiate the settlement cycle with this chargeback risk in mind.

• U.S. Federal Reserve and U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Official information on the federal payment system, electronic fund transfer (Reg E), and consumer protection rules that apply to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. If the content of this page differs from the actual regulations, the official source takes precedence.