Swiss online shops can offer purchase on invoice today in four different ways: as a classic QR-invoice with a payment deadline, as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) with risk assumption by providers such as Klarna or CembraPay, as TWINT Pay later, or as a traditional invoice by post. Each model differs fundamentally in costs, risk distribution, and conversion effect — the right choice depends on shopping cart size, target group, and risk tolerance.

This guide shows you the four invoice purchase models in detail, compares the fees per transaction, and helps you choose the right model for your Swiss online shop.

1. What “purchase on invoice” means in Switzerland today — and why it is no longer just an invoice

The term “purchase on invoice” in Switzerland now encompasses significantly more than classic invoice dispatch by post. Consumers understand this to mean any payment method where they receive goods first and pay only afterwards — regardless of whether the invoice appears as a QR code in e-banking, is processed via Klarna, or lands as a TWINT notification on their smartphone.

For Comerciantes, this distinction is crucial because behind every model stands a different risk distribution, cost structure, and technical integration. The core question is not “Should I offer purchase on invoice?”, but “Which purchase on invoice model fits my business?”.

According to the online merchant survey by the ZHAW, around 70% of Swiss online merchants offer some form of purchase on invoice. The E-Commerce Stimmungsbarometer by the HWZ confirms that purchase on invoice, with around 70% popularity, remains one of the most requested payment methods among Swiss consumers.

2. The four models at a glance: Classic invoice, QR-invoice, BNPL with risk assumption, TWINT Pay later

The four models differ on one central point: Who bears the risk if the customer does not pay?

Model 1: Classic invoice (own risk)

You send the goods together with an invoice — by post or PDF by email. The customer typically has a payment deadline of 10 to 30 days. You bear the full risk of default and are responsible for dunning and debt collection yourself. There are no transaction fees, but costs arise from payment defaults and administration.

Model 2: QR-invoice in checkout

The Swiss QR-invoice (Swiss QR Invoice) is offered as a payment method in checkout. Buyers receive a QR-invoice after ordering, which they pay via their e-banking app or by scanning. Payment reconciliation is done automatically via bank CAMT.054 messages. The risk of default lies with you as the Comerciante. The costs via Payrexx Pay are 0.60% (Free) or 0.50% (Standard/Premium) with no fixed fee.

Model 3: Buy Now Pay Later with risk assumption (Klarna, CembraPay, POWERPAY)

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers take over credit scoring and the risk of default completely. Customers pay the BNPL-Anbieter, and you receive your money guaranteed — minus a transaction fee. Klarna charges 2.40% + EUR 0.30 (Free/Standard) or 1.60% + EUR 0.20 (Premium) on Payrexx. CembraPay and POWERPAY are integrated as external External providers with separate terms.

Model 4: TWINT Pay later

TWINT Pay later is a Swiss Buy Now Pay Later product operated by Swissbilling. Buyers select TWINT at checkout and choose the “Pay later” option — they receive a payment deadline of 30 days. Credit scoring runs in the background. Transaction fees are 2.30% + EUR 0.30 (Free) or 2.30% + EUR 0.18 (Standard/Premium).

3. Who bears the risk? Own risk vs. guaranteed payment by external providers

Risk distribution is the central difference between the models. With the classic invoice and the QR-invoice, you as the Comerciante bear the full risk of default. If a customer does not pay, you must issue reminders yourself, eventually initiate debt collection, and in the worst case write off the amount.

With Buy Now Pay Later providers such as Klarna, CembraPay, or POWERPAY, as well as with TWINT Pay later, the risk lies with the provider. You receive the invoice amount minus the transaction fee — regardless of whether the customer actually pays in the end. This protection has its price: the transaction fees are higher than with the QR-invoice.

In practice: for a shopping cart of EUR 120, you pay around EUR 0.60–0.72 in fees with the QR-invoice via Payrexx Pay. With Klarna (Standard), EUR 3.18 is charged (2.40% + EUR 0.30). In return, you bear no default risk with Klarna. The question therefore is: how high is your actual default rate, and does it justify the higher Buy Now Pay Later fees?

4. What purchase on invoice costs the merchant: fee structure of the different models

The cost structure varies considerably depending on the model. Here are the fees in a direct comparison for Swiss transactions:

Individual conditions apply to CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment, which you agree upon directly with the provider. In addition, there is a Payrexx markup of 1.00% (Free), 0.50% (Standard), or 0.25% (Premium) when integrating via an external payment provider.

Calculation example: with an average shopping cart of EUR 150 and 500 purchase on invoice orders per month, the cost calculation in the Standard Plan looks like this: QR-invoice costs you EUR 375 per month (0.50% × EUR 75,000). Klarna costs EUR 1,950 (2.40% + EUR 0.30 × 500). The difference of around EUR 1,575 per month is the price for the complete risk assumption by Klarna.

5. Providers in Switzerland: Klarna, CembraPay, POWERPAY, TWINT, and others compared

The Swiss market has several established purchase on invoice providers with different strengths:

Klarna is the internationally most well-known Buy Now Pay Later provider. In Switzerland, Klarna offers purchase on invoice (14 or 30 days), instalment payments, and immediate payment. Klarna takes over credit scoring and default risk completely. Available in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, and Italy.

CembraPay (Cembra Money Bank) is a Swiss provider offering purchase on invoice with and without a partial payment option. CembraPay targets medium to large shops and offers guaranteed payout. The terms are agreed upon individually.

POWERPAY (MF Group AG) is also a Swiss provider focusing on purchase on invoice and partial payment. POWERPAY takes over credit scoring and debt collection. Particularly widespread in the Swiss fashion and lifestyle segment.

Ideal Payment targets small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to agree terms individually and adapt processes to their business model. The entry barrier is lower than with CembraPay or POWERPAY.

TWINT Pay later is not an independent Buy Now Pay Later provider, but a feature within the TWINT app operated by Swissbilling. The advantage: buyers do not have to create a new account — they use their existing TWINT app. The reach in Switzerland is correspondingly high.

6. Which model fits which shop? Decision support by industry and risk profile

Choosing the right model depends on three factors: shopping cart size, target group, and risk tolerance.

Small shopping carts under EUR 50 (e.g. food, cosmetics): here, the fixed fees of Buy Now Pay Later providers eat up a disproportionately large share. The QR-invoice or TWINT Pay later with no fixed fee are often more economical.

Medium shopping carts of EUR 50 to 200 (e.g. fashion, books, household): the sweet spot for Buy Now Pay Later. Klarna and TWINT Pay later offer the best compromise between costs and risk protection here. The conversion effect is particularly strong in this segment because customers want to inspect the goods before paying.

Large shopping carts over EUR 200 (e.g. electronics, furniture, sports): Buy Now Pay Later with instalments (Klarna) becomes a conversion driver. However, the QR-invoice with a clear payment deadline also works here — provided you have functioning dunning processes.

Regular customers with a known payment history: the QR-invoice or classic invoice is sufficient. The default risk is low and fees are minimal.

New customers with no purchase history: Buy Now Pay Later with risk assumption. This is where default risk is highest, and credit scoring by Klarna or CembraPay protects you.

Checklist: Setting up purchase on invoice in a Swiss online shop

• Define your risk profile: are you prepared to bear the default risk yourself, or do you want to outsource it?

• Check your average shopping cart size: for small amounts under EUR 50, fixed fees are particularly relevant.

• Compare transaction fees: calculate with your actual order volume, not with guidelines.

• Decide whether you want to offer one or multiple purchase on invoice methods in parallel — e.g. QR-invoice + Klarna.

• Clarify integration: is your PSP or shop system compatible with the desired providers?

• Set up dunning processes if you offer QR-invoices or classic invoices (own risk).

• Test the checkout experience: is the purchase on invoice option displayed clearly and comprehensibly?

• Find out about credit checks: what data is collected, and how does a rejection affect the customer experience?

Payrexx offers Swiss online shops multiple purchase on invoice models via a single Dashboard: QR-invoice and TWINT Pay later are available directly via Payrexx Pay, Klarna via Payrexx Pay Plus. In addition, CembraPay, POWERPAY, and Ideal Payment can be integrated as external External providers. All methods can be activated in parallel — Comerciantes do not choose the variant for each order; instead, the customer decides in the checkout which option they prefer.