A merchant's guide to JCB Payments

Japan Credit Bureau (JCB) was founded in Tokyo in 1961 as the country’s first credit card issuer. Today, it offers payment processing, merchant services, and other payments technology solutions to its global network of 46 million merchants. 

With a 154 million-strong customer base across over 190 countries, offering JCB payments is a fantastic way for merchants to expand their reach and drive loyalty, not just with consumers in the Asia-Pacific region, but around the world. 

Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know as a merchant about JCB payments, including the different types of JCB cards, where they’re used, the benefits, and how you can start accepting JCB payments. 

What is JCB payment?

A JCB payment is any transaction, conducted either online or in-store, that utilizes a JCB card or JCB’s payment technology. JCB is a Japanese card company, credit card issuer, merchant acquirer, and provider of payment technology solutions that’s used all over the world. 

It supports a wide variety of card types, including credit and debit cards, and contactless and mobile payments. During a JCB payment, JCB is responsible for processing, verifying the cardholder, and authorizing the transaction. 

As well as payment services, JCB provides promotional, security and technological support for its partner merchants.  

Types of JCB cards

JCB has many types of cards to suit different consumer and business needs, including credit cards and debit cards, corporate cards, prepaid cards, and a range of other cards for more niche purposes. 

Credit cards

JCB’s credit cards allow its customers to make purchases against a line of credit and also offer access to a range of exclusive services and rewards. Its credit card lineup includes:

• JCB The Class - an invitation-only card that provides a select group of customers with additional and exclusive services and support 
• Corporate cards - JCB’s flexible corporate cards are perfect for launching corporate card schemes at scale but are also suitable for the self-employed and smaller businesses
• Affinity cards - Affinity Cards allow partner organizations to combine their own services with JCB’s credit card features

Debit cards

JCB’s debit cards can be used with participating merchants around the world to make payments directly from the customer’s savings account. 

Prepaid cards

JCB’s prepaid cards can be loaded up with funds and used in transactions with participating merchants.  

Other cards

JCB’s “other” cards include the Loan Faith card, the gift card, the Premo card, and the ​​JCB-QUO card. 

Where is JCB used?

In 1981, JCB made a concerted effort to expand its offering around the world. Today, it holds the distinction of being the only international payment brand based in Japan, and through its global partners (including American Express, Diners Club, and Discover Network), JCB card payments can be accepted in more than 190 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted credit card brands on Earth.

JCB is widely used in Japan, though it is frequently challenged for pole position by rival global card scheme Visa. However, in 2021, JCB overtook Visa to secure the largest share (37%) of its domestic market.

The use of JCB cards is also growing across the wider Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. The card provider is less popular in Europe and North America, though it is proving to be a popular payment option for tourists and business travelers in both regions. 

How to accept payments for JCB

You can start accepting payments for JCB by following these steps:

• Check eligibility - merchants must meet certain eligibility criteria in order to accept JCB payments. You must not offer any goods or services that could be categorized as gambling, lotteries, pornography, or adult chat or that are illegal under the laws of the region where you’ll be taking payments. If you offer food, supplements, or equipment that claims to improve health, you’ll have to contact JCB to discuss whether or not your business is eligible for its card scheme. Likewise, for goods and commodities that are traded and could cause market fluctuations (gold, stocks), cosmetics, or any drugs that could be confiscated by customs. 
• Check security requirements - JCB also has strict security requirements to protect its cardholders. As a merchant, you must use SSL or another industry-standard encryption or firewall in order to be eligible
• Choose a PSP - if you meet JCB’s requirements, you can start accepting JCB payments through any payment service provider (PSP) that supports JCB transactions, such as Checkout.com. Your payment provider will connect directly to JCB’s systems, making it possible to facilitate the sharing of data for processing and authentication 
• Choose an implementation channel - JCB can be integrated into your systems through multiple implementation channels, including HPP, Payment Links, API, Mobile SDK - Android & IOS, giving you the flexibility to set up your payments in a way that makes sense for your business
• Start accepting payments - when your customer wants to make a purchase, they just need to choose to pay using a credit card at checkout and then enter the details of their JCB card. The transaction will be processed and authorized through your PSP, which communicates with JCB to verify the cardholder’s details. The transaction is further secured by JCB’s J/Secure™ authentication program, which can decide whether to immediately approve the payment or, if necessary, require the cardholder to complete an additional authentication step like supplying a one-time password or biometric data       

Benefits of accepting JCB payments

There are multiple benefits to accepting JCB payments, including: 

• Expand your global reach - with 154 million card members across 190 countries, accepting JCB payments gives you access to an enormous potential customer base around the world. JCB payments can also be processed in more than 150 currencies  
• Succeed in the Asian market - JCB is a very popular card provider in both Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region. If you’re planning to expand in these markets, accepting JCB is a great way to build trust and boost sales among local consumers, who often prefer to pay using the methods that are most familiar to them. JCB merchants can also benefit from the payment provider’s strategic consultancy services, which can help you tailor your marketing campaigns to improve brand awareness in key Asian regions
• Accept tourist payments - likewise, accepting JCB payments makes it easier to tap into the spending power of the large Asian tourist market, who may prefer to use their JCB card when spending abroad
• Competitive advantage - in an increasingly competitive online economy, offering JCB payments could be the deciding factor when a consumer is choosing between you and a rival business
• Enhanced security - JCB payments are protected by a number of proprietary security solutions, including J/Secure, its authentication service, and J/Smart, a smart card that’s embedded with a secure integrated circuit chip. As further evidence of its security credentials, JCB is a founding member of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) and complies with EMV global transaction standards and Japan Consumer Credit Association mandates
• Flexibility - JCB is compatible with multiple electronic payment methods, allowing you to meet the preferences of your customers. It also offers fee structures and processes that can be tailored to your needs   

For whom is JCB a payment option?

JCB is used by consumers and businesses around the world for a range of purposes, including:

• Online customers - JCB cards are used by online consumers to make secure purchases 
• Tourists - Japanese and Asian tourists traveling abroad, as well as visitors to Japan, can take advantage of the widespread global acceptance of JCB cards. Travelers also don’t incur additional transaction fees and can benefit from access to airport lounges and discounts on partner products and services   
• Japanese and Asian consumers - JCB cards are extremely popular among Japanese consumers, where they’re used for all sorts of daily purchases. They’re also growing in popularity in other Asian markets, including China, Thailand, and South Korea
• High-net-worth individuals - JCB offers a range of cards targeted at wealthy consumers, like its Gold and Class cards, which come with perks like exclusive services and support. As such, accepting JCB payments can be a good way to appeal to high-net-worth individuals, especially if you sell premium or luxury goods
• Businesses - JCB’s corporate cards offer loans, flexible credit, expense management, and business support to everyone from SMEs to large international businesses

Integrate JCB payment with Checkout.com

Integrate JCB via Checkout.com today to expand your global reach, boost your conversions, and take advantage of JCB’s high-spending customer base and advanced security features. 

Even if you already accept Visa and Mastercard, JCB can be a fantastic addition to your payment options. That’s because of its widespread use and brand recognition among hundreds of millions of consumers, not just in Japan and the wider Asia-Pacific region but around the world. Offering JCB at checkout can be indispensable to your global growth strategy, helping you to build loyalty and secure sales from local consumers, tourists, and business travelers. 

JCB via Checkout.com will be available for merchants in the UK and EEA starting from July and will be available in BETA for Singapore and Hong Kong later this year.