1. What online payment methods does Alibaba Cloud support?
The online payment methods supported by Alibaba Cloud vary depending on the country or region where you register your Alibaba Cloud account. For more information, see the table below.
Online Payment Method | USA | Europe | Malaysia | India | Others | |
Bank Card (Credit card & Debit card) | Visa | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | N/A | ✅ |
Mastercard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | N/A | ✅ | |
American Express | ✅ | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✅ | |
JCB | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✅ | |
Wallet | PayPal | ✅ | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✅ |
Paytm | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✅ | N/A | |
Bank Transfer | Prepayment | N/A | N/A | N/A | ✅ | N/A |
Note:
Europe includes the following countries or regions: UK, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Belarus, Switzerland, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Türkiye, Albania, Andorra, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Georgia, Latvia, Moldova, Slovakia, Slovenia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Monaco.
Other Countries/Regions refer to all countries and regions except the United States, Europe, Malaysia, and India. For example, China (Hong Kong), China (Taiwan), Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Middle East, Latin America, and African countries belong to Other Countries/Regions.
India refers to customers who register an Alibaba Cloud account after July 29, 2019 and select India as the country of registration. Malaysia refers to customers who register an Alibaba Cloud account after October 8, 2019 and select Malaysia as the country of registration. Customers in India and Malaysia who registered an Alibaba Cloud account before these two dates belong to Other Countries/Regions.
Customers who use a Paytm Wallet can use only the balance in their Paytm Wallet for payment. Bank cards, Unified Payment Interface (UPI), and other sources of funds in a Paytm Wallet are not supported.
The prepayment balance feature is available to customers in India. You can use the bank transfer method or Paytm online checkout, in which debit card, credit card, UPI and net banking are available, to send the prepayment for purchases of Alibaba Cloud services. For more information about transfer methods, see section 4.3.
Enterprise customers can open a credit line in Alibaba Cloud, which allows them to spend within their credit limit. After that, they can transfer funds to Alibaba Cloud from their bank to pay the monthly bill. For more information about transfer methods, see section 4.3. If you are an enterprise customer and need similar services, contact your account manager.
2. How do I manage my payment methods?
After you add a payment method, you can manage it by choosing Billing Management > Payment Methods in the Alibaba Cloud Management Console.
2.1 Add a payment method
Click Add Payment Method. On the page that appears, select your preferred payment method and follow the instructions on the page to add it to your Alibaba Cloud account.
2.1.1 Bank card
Enter the card number, expiration date, security code (which will not be saved by Alibaba Cloud), and card holder name of your bank card. Then, click Submit. If your bank card is a corporate bank card without a name on it, enter your last name and first name in the Last Name and First Name fields. It is optional to fill in the middle name and company name on the card.
By default, the address you filled in during registration is used as the billing address of the bank card. To change the billing address before you submit the card information, click Edit.
Note:
To verify that your bank card is valid, Alibaba Cloud places a USD 1.00 pre-authorization hold (or an MYR 1.00 pre-authorization hold for customers in Malaysia) on your bank card after you submit the card information. After the bank card passes the verification, it is added to your Alibaba Cloud account. Alibaba Cloud automatically cancels the pre-authorization hold after one to five working days.
Customers in different countries or regions can add bank cards of different brands. For more information, see the instructions on the page when you add a bank card.
A bank card can be added to only one Alibaba Cloud account.
Alibaba Cloud does not support adding prepaid cards, gift cards, or virtual cards.
Ensure that the online payment service is activated for your bank card.
2.1.2 PayPal
Click Add Now. The system directs you to the PayPal.com website.
Log in to your PayPal account and confirm the PayPal agreement. The system automatically adds PayPal as a payment method for your Alibaba Cloud account.
Note: If you activate the pay-as-you-go service and set PayPal as the preferred payment method, the system places a pre-authorization hold on your PayPal account.
2.1.3 Paytm Wallet
Enter a valid mobile number in India, click Send to obtain a verification code, enter the verification code received, and then click Add Now. The system automatically adds Paytm as a payment method for your Alibaba Cloud account.
Note: If you activate the pay-as-you-go service and set your Paytm Wallet as the preferred payment method, the system places a pre-authorization hold on your Paytm account.
2.2 Delete a payment method
The prepayment balance and the preferred payment method cannot be deleted for your Alibaba Cloud account. You can delete other payment methods as required.
For example, if your payment methods include prepayment balance, bank card A, and bank card B, where bank card A is the preferred payment method, you can delete only bank card B. The prepayment balance and bank card A cannot be deleted.
2.3 Edit a payment method
You can edit only bank cards. Other payment methods cannot be edited.
For example, when you need to update the expiration date of a bank card, you can click Edit next to the bank card. On the card editing page that appears, update and submit the card information.
After you submit the new card information, the bank card is considered a new card. To verify that your bank card is valid, Alibaba Cloud places a USD 1.00 pre-authorization hold (or an MYR 1.00 pre-authorization hold for customers in Malaysia) on your bank card after you submit the card information. After the bank card passes the verification, the new card information takes effect. Alibaba Cloud automatically cancels the pre-authorization hold after one to five working days.
2.4 Change the preferred payment method
When your pay-as-you-go service incurs a charge, Alibaba Cloud charges you with your preferred payment method based on the billing rules.
If you have added two or more payment methods and want to change your preferred payment method, you can click Set as preferred next to the payment method that you want to set as the preferred payment method.
If you want to set a bank card as your preferred payment method, Alibaba Cloud guides you through the verification process. Follow the instructions on the page. When you successfully complete the bank card verification, return to the payment method list and click Set as preferred next to the bank card to complete the setup.
2.5 Prepayment Balance
For India customers who registered after 29th July,2019, Alibaba Cloud open the prepayment balance as a payment method by default. India customers could pay the prepayment to Alibaba Cloud and use prepayment balance to buy service, and Alibaba Cloud charges the pay-as-you-go fee from prepayment balance to preferred alternative payment method. India customers may either pay the prepayment online using Paytm checkout or make bank transfer.
2.5.1 Pay prepayment using Paytm checkout online
Step 1. In the Billing Management page, click Prepay.
Step 2. Fill in the prepayment info (Amount, Purpose and Description), then choose Online Payment, click Pay Now you would be lead to Paytm checkout page. Please note that the payment cannot be refund.
Step 3. Complete the payment process at Paytm page. You could use all payment methods Paytm provided including Bank Card, UPI, NetBanking etc., Rupay card and UPI are recommended. After the payment succeed, you could go back and check the balance. The screenshot below is for reference, actual payment channels depends on customer's paytm account.
2.5.2 Pay prepayment by making bank transfer
Please see 4.3.4.
3. Payment instructions
3.1 Complete 3D verification
To ensure payment security, you may need to complete 3D verification when you use a bank card to pay for your Alibaba Cloud services.
3.1.1 3D verification for subscription orders
When you purchase, upgrade, or manually renew an instance, Alibaba Cloud may require you to go to the bank website to complete 3D verification before you can pay.
When you encounter this situation, Alibaba Cloud directs you to the bank website to complete 3D verification. Do not close the Alibaba Cloud payment page during this process. After you complete 3D verification, Alibaba Cloud charges your bank card for the order. After the payment is successful, return to the Alibaba Cloud payment page and wait, or refresh the page to view the payment results.
3.1.2 3D verification for pay-as-you-go orders
When you activate the pay-as-you-go service, Alibaba Cloud may require you to go to the bank website and complete 3D verification. Alibaba Cloud activates the pay-as-you-go service for you only after you complete 3D verification.
When you encounter this situation, Alibaba Cloud directs you to the bank website to complete 3D verification. Do not close the Alibaba Cloud payment page during this process. After you complete 3D verification, Alibaba Cloud activates the pay-as-you-go service for you. Return to the Alibaba Cloud payment page and wait, or refresh the page to view the activation results.
3.1.3 3D verification for changing the preferred external payment method
When you set a bank card as your preferred external payment method, Alibaba Cloud may require you to complete 3D verification. You can find the notification from Alibaba Cloud in the internal message or in your registered email. Click the link in the notification and follow the instructions to complete 3D verification.
After you complete 3D verification, set the bank card as the preferred external payment method on the Payment Methods page.
3.2 Pay for subscription orders
When you pay for a subscription order, you can select a valid payment method of your Alibaba Cloud account to make the payment.
If you choose to pay with a bank card, Alibaba Cloud may require you to complete 3D verification. For more information, see section 3.1.
If you choose to pay with PayPal, Alibaba Cloud charges your PayPal account.
If you have added a Paytm Wallet, but the balance in your Paytm Wallet is insufficient, you cannot choose to pay with the Paytm Wallet.
If you are an Alibaba Cloud prepayment customer and your prepayment balance is sufficient, you can use the prepayment balance to pay for the order. If your prepayment balance is insufficient, you must use a different payment method.
3.3 Pay pay-as-you-go bills or monthly bills
For more information about automatic fee deduction for pay-as-you-go bills, see:
https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/doc-detail/169339.htm
4. How do I make a bank transfer (remittance) to Alibaba Cloud?
4.1 Who can make bank transfers (remittances) to Alibaba Cloud?
Alibaba Cloud credit customers can make bank transfers (remittances) to pay Alibaba Cloud for monthly bills. The bank account number appears at the bottom of the invoice.
Alibaba Cloud prepayment customers can make bank transfers (remittances) to pay Alibaba Cloud for the prepayment, and use the prepayment to pay for orders and bills. The bank account number appears on the prepayment management page.
4.2 What is an Alibaba Cloud Exclusive Bank Account?
An Alibaba Cloud Exclusive Bank Account (or named Virtual Account) is opened by Alibaba Cloud for a customer to make bank transfers (remittances) and belongs only to that customer.
Alibaba Cloud has allocated an Exclusive Bank Account for most of its credit customers. And prepayment customers could apply for it on the prepayment page.
If you have an Exclusive Bank Account, make bank transfers (remittances) to that account. Alibaba Cloud automatically recognizes the incoming funds within one to five working days, and uses the funds to pay your monthly bills or adds the funds to your prepayment balance.
Note If you do not have an Exclusive Bank Account, you can make a bank transfer (remittance) to the Alibaba Cloud public account provided at the bottom of the invoice, and then contact your account manager.
4.3 Instructions on making bank transfers (remittances) to an Exclusive Bank Account
Depending on the country or region where you register your Alibaba Cloud account, you need to initiate a bank transfer (remittance) to the corresponding Alibaba Cloud branch. Transfer money based on your invoice title and the dedicated bank account information at the bottom of the invoice.
If the bank account on your invoice is not a dedicated bank account, the transfer guide below is still for your reference.
4.3.1 Alibaba Cloud (Singapore) Private Limited
<Domestic transfers>
If you are located in Singapore, use the transfer method below in USD. Alibaba Cloud does not support making a Fast And Secure Transfer (FAST) payment for SGD transfers within Singapore.
<Cross-border transfers>
Account information:
Beneficiary Bank Name: CITIBANK N.A. SINGAPORE
SWIFT Code: CITISGSGXXX
Beneficiary Account Name: ALIBABA CLOUD (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
Beneficiary Account No.: 188xxxxxxxx (11 digits. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
Beneficiary Bank Address: 5 Changi Business Park Crescent, Level 5, Singapore 486027(or “08 Marina View #16-01 Asia Square Tower 1 Singapore 018960”, both of them are correct)
Branch Code: 7214 - 001
Make cross-border telegram transfers in USD.
Ensure that the beneficiary bank name, Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) code, beneficiary account name, and beneficiary account number are correct. The beneficiary bank address and other information are for your reference.
If the remitting bank requires you to submit a beneficiary phone number, enter Alibaba Cloud Singapore telephone number +65 3163-8014.
Depending on the remitting bank you use for transfers, the arrival time of the funds may vary. The funds arrive within two to five working days. In case of U.S. public holidays, it may take longer. We recommend that you initiate a cross-border transfer through a large bank, such as Citibank, to shorten the arrival time of your funds.
When you make a remittance, you can choose Alibaba Cloud to pay the remittance service fee. However, if there are multiple intermediate banks in the transfer process, Alibaba Cloud covers only the service fee for the last part of the transfer. Therefore, the amount that arrives at your account may not include the service fee.
4.3.2 Alibaba Cloud US LLC
<Domestic transfers>
Account information:
Routing No.: 021000089
Beneficiary Account No.: 1557xxxxxxxxxxxxx (17 digits. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
We recommend that you make a domestic automated clearing house (ACH) transfer in USD. The funds arrive at your account within two working days. Most of the banks do not charge any service fee.
Ensure that the beneficiary account number and Routing No. are correct.
<Cross-border transfers>
Account information:
Beneficiary Bank Name: CITIBANK N.A.
SWIFT Code: CITIUS33XXX
Beneficiary Account Name: Alibaba Cloud US LLC
Beneficiary Account No.: 1557xxxxxxxxxxxxx (17 digits. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
Beneficiary Bank Address: 111 Wall Street, New York, NY 10043
Routing No.: 021000089
Make cross-border telegram transfers in USD. The funds arrive within two to five working days. In case of U.S. public holidays, it may take longer. Ensure that the SWIFT code, beneficiary account number, beneficiary account name, and beneficiary bank name are correct. The beneficiary bank address and other information are for your reference.
If the remitting bank requires you to submit a beneficiary phone number, enter Alibaba Cloud Singapore telephone number +65 3163-8014.
When you make a remittance, you can choose the beneficiary bank to pay the remittance service fee. However, if there are multiple intermediate banks in the transfer process, Alibaba Cloud covers only the service fee for the last part of the transfer. Therefore, the amount that arrives at your account may not include the service fee.
We recommend that you initiate a cross-border transfer through a large bank, such as Citibank, to shorten the arrival time of your funds.
4.3.3 Alibaba Cloud (Malaysia) SDN BHD
<Domestic transfers>
Account information:
Beneficiary Bank Name: CITIBANK BERHAD
Beneficiary Account Name: ALIBABA CLOUD (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD
Beneficiary Account No.: 7791xxxxxxxxxxxx (16 digits. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
Make domestic General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO) or Real-time Electronic Transfer of Funds and Securities System (RENTAS) transfers in MYR. The funds arrive at your account within two working days with no service fees.
Ensure that the beneficiary account number, beneficiary account name, and beneficiary bank name are correct.
<Cross-border transfers>
Account information:
Beneficiary Bank Name: CITIBANK BERHAD
SWIFT Code: CITIMYKLXXX
Beneficiary Account Name: ALIBABA CLOUD (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD
Beneficiary Account No.: 7791xxxxxxxxxxxx (16 digits. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
Beneficiary Bank Address: Citibank Berhad, Menara Citibank, 165 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Make cross-border telegram transfers in USD.
After Alibaba Cloud receives the funds, the funds are converted to MYR based on the exchange rate of the day, and added to your account within two to five working days.
Ensure that the SWIFT code, beneficiary account number, beneficiary account name, and beneficiary bank name are correct. The beneficiary bank address and other information are for your reference.
When you make a remittance, you can choose the beneficiary bank to pay the remittance service fee. However, if there are multiple intermediate banks in the transfer process, Alibaba Cloud covers only the service fee for the last part of the transfer. Therefore, the amount that arrives at your account may not include the service fee.
We recommend that you initiate a cross-border transfer through a large bank, such as Citibank, to shorten the arrival time of your funds.
4.3.4 Alibaba Cloud (India) LLP
<Domestic transfers>
Account information:
Beneficiary Bank Name: JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A
Beneficiary Account No. : 5622418100
SWIFT Code: CHASINBX
Beneficiary Account Name: ALIBABA CLOUD (INDIA) LLP
Bank Branch: JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., Mumbai Branch
Make domestic National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) transfers in INR. The funds arrive at your account within two working days with no service fees.
Ensure that the beneficiary account number, beneficiary account name, beneficiary bank name, and Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) code are correct.
4.3.5 Alibaba.com (Europe) Limited
Account information:
Beneficiary Bank Name: CITIBANK N.A. LONDON
SWIFT Code: CITIGB2LXXX
Beneficiary Account Name: ALIBABA.COM EUROPE LIMITED
Beneficiary Account No.: 711xxxxx (8 digits. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
Beneficiary Bank Address: Citigroup centre, 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London
Sort Code: 185008
IBAN: GB34CITI185008711xxxxx (It corresponds to the account number. The number varies for different customers. Check the number on the Billing Management page or at the bottom of your monthly invoice.)
Make cross-border telegram transfers in USD.
Ensure that the beneficiary bank name, SWIFT code, beneficiary account name, beneficiary account number, and International Bank Account Number (IBAN) are correct. The beneficiary bank address and other information are for your reference.
If the remitting bank requires you to submit a beneficiary phone number, enter Alibaba Cloud Singapore telephone number +65 3163-8014.
Depending on the remitting bank you use for transfers, the arrival time of the funds may vary. The funds arrive within two to five working days. In case of U.S. public holidays, it may take longer. We recommend that you initiate a cross-border transfer through a large bank, such as Citibank, to shorten the arrival time of your funds.
When you make a remittance, you can choose Alibaba Cloud to pay the remittance service fee. However, if there are multiple intermediate banks in the transfer process, Alibaba Cloud covers only the service fee for the last part of the transfer. Therefore, the amount that arrives at your account may not include the service fee.
5. FAQ
5.1 Can I add a bank card issued by banks in Chinese Mainland with the UnionPay logo?
Alibaba Cloud does not support adding Chinese Mainland bank cards with a single UnionPay logo. However, Chinese Mainland bank cards with a single VISA(or MasterCard) logo, or both the VISA(or MasterCard) logo and the UnionPay logo can be added.
5.2 Why do I fail to add my bank card?
Bank cards may fail to be added for many reasons. The possible reasons are as follows:
The card issuing organization is not supported by Alibaba Cloud. For example, bank cards with a single UnionPay logo are not supported by Alibaba Cloud.
Alibaba Cloud does not support adding prepaid cards, gift cards, or virtual cards. Check your card type.
Your bank card has been added to another Alibaba Cloud account. A bank card can be added to only one Alibaba Cloud account.
The issuing country of your bank card is not supported by Alibaba Cloud.
The online payment service has not been activated for your bank card. Contact the issuing bank to activate the service.
Your bank card has an insufficient balance. As a result, Alibaba Cloud fails to place a USD 1.00 pre-authorization hold (or an MYR 1.00 pre-authorization hold for customers in Malaysia) on your bank card.
The USD 1.00 pre-authorization hold (or MYR 1.00 pre-authorization hold for customers in Malaysia) placed by Alibaba Cloud on your bank card is rejected by your issuing bank. Contact your issuing bank for verification.
The error shown in the following figure occurs. It is possible that your bank card is too new to be recognized by Alibaba Cloud. You can contact online support. After Alibaba Cloud manually verifies your bank card number, the card is added to your Alibaba Cloud account.
5.3 How do I check the pre-authorization charge when I add a bank card?
On your bank statement, you can find the USD 1.00 pre-authorization hold (or MYR 1.00 pre-authorization hold for customers in Malaysia) placed by Alibaba Cloud on your bank card.
5.4 Will the pre-authorization charge be refunded?
Yes. Alibaba Cloud automatically cancels the USD 1.00 pre-authorization hold (or MYR 1.00 pre-authorization hold for customers in Malaysia) placed on your bank card after one to five working days.
5.5 After I delete an Alibaba Cloud account, can I add the bank cards added to this account to another Alibaba Cloud account?
Yes. After an Alibaba Cloud account is deleted, Alibaba Cloud deletes the payment methods added for the Alibaba Cloud account. You can add these payment methods for another Alibaba Cloud account.
5.6 Can I add a PayPal China account?
Alibaba Cloud does not support adding a PayPal China account as a payment method.
5.7 What do I need to know about when adding a PayPal account?
When you add a PayPal account as a payment method for your Alibaba Cloud account, you are directed to the PayPal.com website. You must enter your login information and agree to the payment agreement between PayPal and Alibaba Cloud before your PayPal account is added to your Alibaba Cloud account.
If you do not have bank cards or other sources of funds in your PayPal account, PayPal may require you to add a source of funds to your PayPal account immediately. If you have any questions about adding a source of funds to your PayPal account, consult PayPal customer service.