Pay by Link Merchant Terms

The terms that apply when you request payment from your customers using a Flatpay payment link. These Terms supplement Flatpay's General Terms and Conditions. Sections 1–14 apply to every Customer. Schedule 1 sets out the additional terms for your Merchant Category Code.

UNITED KINGDOM VERSION 1.1 LAST UPDATED 5 AUGUST 2026 GBP ONLY

SECTION 1About these Terms

1.1
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the use of the Flatpay Pay by Link service (the “Service”) by Flatpay customers located in the United Kingdom (“you”, the “Customer”).
1.2
The Service is provided by Flatpay ApS, a company incorporated in Denmark with CVR no. 42718033, acting through its UK establishment (UK establishment number BR027644) at Soho Works White City, 2 Television Centre, Floor 7, 101 Wood Lane, London W12 7FA (“Flatpay”, “we”, “us”). The Service forms part of the Services provided under your Agreement with Flatpay and is subject to Flatpay’s General Terms and Conditions (the “Conditions”, available at flatpay.com/en-gb/legal/terms-conditions). These Terms supplement, and form part of, the Agreement. If there is any conflict between these Terms and the Conditions, the Conditions prevail except where these Terms expressly state otherwise.
1.3
By creating or sending a payment link through the Service, you agree to these Terms, including the terms specific to your Merchant Category Code (“MCC”) set out in Schedule 1.
1.4
We may update these Terms in accordance with clause 19 (Changes) of the Conditions. Minor changes may take effect without notice; significant changes will be notified electronically with at least 30 days’ notice and may be made unilaterally. The current version of these Terms is always available on this page. If you do not accept a significant change, you should stop using the Service before the change takes effect.

SECTION 2Definitions

Acquirer
The acquiring payment service provider designated by Flatpay that processes card transactions and makes payouts to you under your Merchant Services Agreement. Acquiring services are always provided by the Acquirer directly, not by Flatpay.
Agreement
The agreement between you and Flatpay, comprising your accepted offer, the Conditions and these Terms.
Card Schemes
Visa, Mastercard and any other payment network through which Transactions are processed.
Cardholder
The person to whom a payment link is sent and who authorises a Transaction.
Chargeback
A Transaction that is disputed and reversed under Card Scheme rules.
Conditions
Flatpay’s General Terms and Conditions, as updated from time to time, available at flatpay.com/en-gb/legal/terms-conditions.
MCC
The four-digit Merchant Category Code assigned to you under Card Scheme rules, which reflects your primary business activity.
Merchant Services Agreement
The separate agreement between you and the Acquirer for card-acquiring services, entered into in accordance with the Conditions and the Agency Agreement.
Partner
A sub-contractor or partner engaged by Flatpay for the supply of certain Solutions, as described in clause 3 of the Conditions.
Payment Link
A unique URL generated through the Service that allows a Cardholder to make a card payment to you remotely.
SCA
Strong Customer Authentication as required under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (as amended) and applicable FCA technical standards.
Transaction
A payment made by a Cardholder using a Payment Link.

SECTION 3The Service

3.1
The Service allows you to request payment from your customers by sending a Payment Link by SMS, email, messaging service or other agreed channel. Payments made through a Payment Link are card-not-present (remote) transactions.
3.2
Each Payment Link must relate to a genuine sale of goods or services by the business named in your Agreement, at your registered trading location(s), within the business activity described by your assigned MCC.
3.3
Payment Links expire after the period shown in your dashboard (by default 7 days). Expired links cannot be paid and a new link must be issued.
3.4
The Service is available only for Transactions in pounds sterling (GBP) unless we agree otherwise in writing.
3.5
Role of Flatpay and the Acquirer. Flatpay provides the Payment Link technology, payment gateway and software as part of the Services. Flatpay does not itself process card transactions and does not hold, receive or transmit your funds. All acquiring, settlement and payouts are carried out by the Acquirer directly under your Merchant Services Agreement; no payouts go through Flatpay. References in these Terms to settlement, payouts, reserves or holds are to actions of the Acquirer under that agreement.

SECTION 4Eligibility and onboarding

4.1
The Service is available only to Customers who have completed Flatpay’s onboarding checks and been approved by the Acquirer following its “Know-Your-Customer” process, including identity verification and customer due diligence carried out under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. You must meet the Acquirer’s requirements at all times, as set out in the Conditions.
4.2
You must tell us promptly, and in any event within 14 days, if there is any material change to your business, including a change of ownership, legal form, trading name, trading address, or the nature of the goods or services you sell. A change in business activity may require a change to your MCC and to the terms that apply to you under Schedule 1.
4.3
We may decline, suspend or withdraw access to the Service for any Merchant or MCC where required by law, Card Scheme rules, or our reasonable risk policies.

SECTION 5Your general obligations

You must, for every Payment Link you create:

5.1
Accuracy. State the amount clearly and describe the goods or services accurately in the link description. The amount charged must match the amount agreed with the customer.
5.2
One link, one sale. Use each Payment Link for a single, identifiable sale. You must not split a single sale across multiple links to avoid limits, or aggregate unrelated sales into one link.
5.3
Legitimate delivery channel. Send Payment Links only to customers who have asked to buy from you. You must not send unsolicited Payment Links, use links for marketing, or publish a Payment Link on a public website or social media page — a link is a payment request to a specific customer, not a checkout page.
5.4
Receipts. Provide the customer with a receipt or confirmation for every completed Transaction, including your business name as it will appear on the Cardholder’s statement.
5.5
Refund policy. Have a clear refund and cancellation policy, make it available to the customer before payment, and honour it. Refunds must be made back to the card used for the original Transaction, never by cash or bank transfer.
5.6
Distance selling information. Because Pay by Link Transactions are distance contracts, you must comply with the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, including giving consumers the required pre-contract information and, where applicable, the 14-day cancellation right, and with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
5.7
Lawful sales only. Sell only goods and services that are lawful in the UK, that you are licensed to sell where a licence is required, and that fall within your assigned MCC and Schedule 1.
5.8
No card data handling. Never ask a customer to send you their card number, CVV or expiry date by phone, SMS, email or any other channel. All card data must be entered by the Cardholder directly on the secure payment page.

SECTION 6Authentication and security

6.1
All Transactions are subject to SCA (3-D Secure) except where a lawful exemption applies. We apply exemptions automatically; you must not attempt to circumvent SCA.
6.2
You are responsible for keeping your Flatpay account credentials secure and for all Payment Links created through your account. Tell us immediately if you suspect unauthorised access.
6.3
We or the Acquirer may delay, block or refuse any Transaction where fraud, unlawful activity, or a breach of these Terms is reasonably suspected, and where lawful we will tell you why.

SECTION 7Fees and settlement

7.1
Transaction fees for Payment Link Transactions are determined as a percentage of the transaction amount when you enter into the Agreement, and are charged to you by the Acquirer under your Merchant Services Agreement, in accordance with clause 6.1.1 of the Conditions. Pay by Link Transactions are card-not-present transactions and may be priced differently from in-person transactions.
7.2
Fees for any additional services provided by Flatpay are invoiced by Flatpay in accordance with clauses 10 (Prices and Fees) and 11 (Payment Terms) of the Conditions and the current price list at flatpay.com/en-gb/pricelist. All Flatpay prices are stated in GBP and are exclusive of VAT.
7.3
Payouts are made to you by the Acquirer, not by Flatpay, in accordance with your Merchant Services Agreement, subject to any MCC-specific terms in Schedule 1. The Acquirer may deduct fees, Chargebacks and refunds from payouts under that agreement.
7.4
Turnover transacted through the Service counts towards the turnover and usage requirements in the Conditions, including clause 10.2.1 (Lack of Usage/Turnover Limits).

SECTION 8Refunds, Chargebacks and reserves

8.1
Chargebacks are handled between you and the Acquirer in accordance with your Merchant Services Agreement and clause 22 (Disputes Regarding Card Transactions) of the Conditions. You are liable for all Chargebacks and associated Card Scheme fees on Transactions processed through the Service, as set out in those documents.
8.2
Because Payment Link Transactions are card-not-present, they carry a higher risk of dispute. You are required to provide good service to Cardholders to avoid disputes, and should keep evidence of the customer’s order, your communication with the customer, and delivery or performance of the goods or services, for at least 13 months after the Transaction.
8.3
You must promptly provide all relevant documentation concerning a disputed Transaction upon request. If you cannot substantiate your position, the Acquirer or Partner may return the payment to the Cardholder; the Partner’s decision regarding a dispute is final. A high number of disputes may result in dispute fees and fines from Partners and/or Card Schemes, which will be invoiced by Flatpay to you; an administrative fee of 25% of such fees and fines may be added, in accordance with the Conditions.
8.4
Where your Chargeback rate, refund rate or dispute profile materially exceeds Card Scheme thresholds or reasonable risk expectations for your MCC, the Acquirer may apply a rolling reserve or delay payouts under your Merchant Services Agreement, and we may reduce your Payment Link limits or suspend the Service.
8.5
For goods or services delivered or performed more than 7 days after payment (“delayed delivery”), the MCC-specific rules in Schedule 1 apply.

SECTION 9Prohibited use

9.1
You must not use the Service for any category listed in Schedule 2, for any activity outside your assigned MCC, or for:
  • transactions with yourself, your owners, directors or employees (self-payment or cash advance);
  • money transmission, currency exchange, or loading of e-money wallets;
  • collection of debts owed to third parties;
  • any sale that is illegal, or that breaches Card Scheme rules.
9.2
Breach of this clause is a material breach entitling us to suspend or terminate the Service immediately.

SECTION 10Data protection

10.1
Each party will comply with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 in connection with the Service.
10.2
For customer personal data you collect (for example the name, phone number or email address used to send the link), you are the controller. Flatpay processes personal data as described in its privacy policy at flatpay.com/en-gb/legal/privacy-policy, and may share data with Partners and the Acquirer in accordance with clauses 3 and 17.2 of the Conditions.
10.3
You must have a lawful basis for sending a Payment Link to the contact details you use, and must not use those details for marketing without valid consent under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.

SECTION 11Liability

11.1
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence to the extent preserved by section 2(1) of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any liability that cannot legally be limited or excluded.
11.2
Subject to clause 11.1, Flatpay’s liability in connection with the Service is as set out in clauses 13.2.1 and 13.2.2 of the Conditions: Flatpay’s total aggregate liability is limited to the amount invoiced by Flatpay for Services during the three calendar months immediately preceding the relevant cause of action, and Flatpay is not liable for any wasted expenditure, loss of profits (including loss of anticipated savings), loss of business or business opportunity, loss of use or corruption of software, data or information, loss of or damage to goodwill, or special, indirect or consequential loss.
11.3
Flatpay does not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free. For the avoidance of doubt, Flatpay is not responsible for losses arising out of the acts and omissions of any third party, including the Acquirer and Partners.

SECTION 12Suspension and termination

12.1
You may stop using the Service at any time. The Service terminates automatically when your Agreement or your Merchant Services Agreement terminates. Ceasing to use the Service does not by itself terminate your Agreement, whose duration and termination provisions — including the Initial Period and notice requirements in clauses 12 and 13 of the Conditions — continue to apply.
12.2
We may suspend or terminate the Service immediately where: you materially breach these Terms or the Agreement (see clause 13.1 of the Conditions); we are required to do so by law, a regulator, a Card Scheme, the Acquirer or a Partner; or we reasonably suspect fraud or illegal activity.
12.3
Termination does not affect liability for Transactions, refunds or Chargebacks arising before or after termination in respect of Transactions processed through the Service.

SECTION 13Complaints

13.1
Complaints about the Service should be raised with Flatpay support — contact details at flatpay.com/en-gb/support. Complaints regarding defects and deficiencies must be made in writing no later than 8 days after you discovered or should have discovered the defect, in accordance with clause 9 (Complaints) of the Conditions.
13.2
Complaints about card processing, settlement or payouts should be addressed to the Acquirer under your Merchant Services Agreement. If you are a micro-enterprise or otherwise eligible, you may be able to refer complaints about the Acquirer’s payment services to the Financial Ombudsman Service, Exchange Tower, London E14 9SR (financial-ombudsman.org.uk).

SECTION 14General

14.1
These Terms and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with them are governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction, in accordance with clause 21 of the Conditions.
14.2
If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, it shall be deemed deleted and the remainder continues in force. A failure to enforce a right is not a waiver of it. You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our prior written consent, in accordance with clause 14 of the Conditions. These Terms do not give rise to any rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

SCHEDULE 1MCC-specific terms

These terms apply according to the MCC assigned to you at onboarding, shown in your Agreement and dashboard. If you operate under more than one MCC, the terms for each MCC apply to the Transactions processed under it. These are in addition to Sections 1–14 above.

Hospitality
MCC 5812

Eating places and restaurants

Permitted uses: deposits and pre-payments for table bookings and private events, pre-orders for collection, invoice settlement for functions and catering.

  • Deposits and no-show charges must be agreed with the customer in writing (including by email or SMS) before the Payment Link is sent, including the amount and the cancellation terms.
  • For event or function bookings taking place more than 30 days after payment, keep the booking confirmation as delivery evidence; the Acquirer may defer payout of the deposit element where the event is more than 90 days away.
  • Refunds for cancelled bookings must follow the cancellation policy shown to the customer before payment.
MCC 5813

Drinking places — pubs and bars

Permitted uses: deposits for table and area reservations, private hire, ticketed events run by the venue, and tab settlement.

  • Alcohol may only be supplied on your licensed premises in accordance with your premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. Payment Links must not be used for remote sale and delivery of alcohol unless your licence permits off-sales and you carry out age verification (Challenge 25) at handover.
  • No-show and minimum-spend charges must be disclosed to the customer before payment.
MCC 5814

Fast food and takeaway

Permitted uses: telephone and message-based orders for collection or delivery.

  • The Payment Link description must identify the order (for example an order number). Goods should normally be delivered or collected within 24 hours of payment.
  • Where delivery is by your own staff, keep a record of delivery; where a customer claims non-delivery, that record is your primary Chargeback defence.
Food & convenience retail
MCC 5411MCC 5462

Grocery stores and supermarkets · Bakeries

Permitted uses: phone orders for collection or local delivery, deposits for large or custom orders such as celebration cakes and hampers.

  • Age-restricted products (alcohol, tobacco, lottery) must not be sold by Payment Link unless you are licensed for off-sales and verify age (Challenge 25) at handover.
  • For custom orders, keep the customer’s written specification. Custom goods may be exempt from the 14-day distance-selling cancellation right, but you must tell the customer this before payment.
MCC 5921

Package stores — beer, wine and spirits (off-licence)

Permitted uses: off-sales only, where your premises licence expressly permits them.

  • Payment Links may be used only where your premises licence permits off-sales and any delivery service complies with the Licensing Act 2003.
  • Age verification (Challenge 25) is mandatory at handover. A signature from a person appearing under 25 without ID is not a valid delivery.
  • Transactions must not be completed for customers who cannot verify their age; refund the Transaction in full.
  • The Acquirer may apply enhanced risk review to payouts during your first 3 months on the Service.
Personal care & health
MCC 7230MCC 7298

Beauty and barber shops · Health and beauty spas

Permitted uses: booking deposits, no-show charges agreed in advance, payment for completed treatments, gift vouchers.

  • No-show and late-cancellation charges are enforceable only where the customer agreed to the policy before booking; keep the booking confirmation.
  • Gift vouchers must show an expiry date of at least 12 months and are redeemable against your services only.
  • Treatment courses paid up front (for example six sessions): if you cease trading or cannot deliver the remaining sessions, the undelivered element is refundable. We may treat course sales over £500 as delayed delivery under clause 8.5.
MCC 8021MCC 8099

Dentists and orthodontists · Health practitioners

Permitted uses: payment of treatment invoices, deposits for treatment plans.

  • You must hold and maintain any registration required for your practice (for example GDC, CQC or the relevant professional body) and tell us if it lapses.
  • Treatment plans paid in advance are delayed delivery; keep the signed treatment plan as evidence.
  • Payment Links must not be used for the sale of prescription-only medicines.
MCC 0742

Veterinary services

Permitted uses: payment of treatment invoices, deposits for procedures, out-of-hours telephone payments.

  • Keep the clinical invoice as Transaction evidence.
Trades & home services
MCC 1711MCC 1731MCC 0780MCC 7349

Heating & plumbing · Electrical contractors · Landscaping · Cleaning and maintenance

Permitted uses: deposits against written quotes, stage payments, and final invoices.

  • Deposits must not exceed 50% of the quoted price unless materials are custom-ordered, and each stage payment link must reference the quote or invoice number.
  • For consumer contracts agreed away from your business premises, the 14-day cancellation right applies. You must not start work within the cancellation period without the customer’s express request, and you must keep that request.
  • Where work completes more than 30 days after a deposit is taken, the deposit is delayed delivery under clause 8.5; keep the signed quote and completion record (photographs, sign-off, or invoice acceptance).
MCC 7538

Automotive service shops

Permitted uses: payment of repair invoices, deposits for parts orders, MOT and service bookings.

  • The Payment Link description must reference the vehicle registration or job number.
  • Parts deposits for special-order parts must be identified as such before payment; tell the customer if the deposit is non-refundable once the part is ordered.
Transport
MCC 4121

Taxis, limousines and private hire

Permitted uses: pre-payment for booked journeys, account settlement, deposits for airport transfers and events.

  • You must hold a valid operator’s licence under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998, or equivalent local licensing, and tell us if it is suspended or revoked.
  • The Payment Link description must include the journey date. Journeys more than 30 days ahead are delayed delivery under clause 8.5.
General retail & services
MCC 5999MCC 5699

Miscellaneous retail stores · Miscellaneous apparel

Permitted uses: phone and message orders for collection or delivery, deposits for special orders.

  • Goods must normally be dispatched within 30 days of payment. If you cannot dispatch in time, tell the customer and offer a full refund.
  • The 14-day distance-selling cancellation right applies to most goods; you must tell consumers how to cancel and refund within 14 days of return.
  • Keep proof of dispatch and, for orders over £100, tracked delivery evidence.
MCC 7299

Miscellaneous personal services

Permitted uses: payment for services agreed with the customer in advance, deposits for appointments.

  • The service and date must be identifiable from the link description or your booking records.
  • Services scheduled more than 30 days after payment are delayed delivery under clause 8.5.

SCHEDULE 2Prohibited and restricted categories

Prohibited

The Service must not be used at all for these.

  • Gambling, betting, lotteries and prize draws requiring payment (including MCC 7995)
  • Adult content and services
  • Sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes or vaping products at a distance (including MCC 5993) unless separately approved in writing
  • Cryptoasset sales, exchange or brokerage (including MCC 6051 in respect of cryptoassets)
  • Money transfer, remittance and cheque cashing
  • Weapons, ammunition and offensive weapons as defined by UK law
  • Controlled drugs and psychoactive substances; cannabis products other than lawful consumer CBD products
  • Prescription-only medicines sold at a distance
  • Counterfeit goods and goods infringing intellectual property rights
  • Pyramid, Ponzi and multi-level marketing recruitment fees
  • Debt collection on behalf of third parties
  • Any business activity requiring FCA authorisation that you do not hold

Restricted

Written approval from Flatpay is required before first use.

  • Remote sale of alcohol for delivery (see the MCC 5921 terms)
  • Travel services, package holidays and event tickets where the event or travel is more than 90 days after payment
  • Subscriptions and recurring billing of any kind — the Service supports single payments only
  • Charitable donations (MCC 8398)
  • Any Transaction above your per-link limit shown in your dashboard
Not sure whether a sale is permitted? Contact Flatpay support before sending the Payment Link. Sending a link for a prohibited category is a material breach under clause 9.2 and may result in immediate suspension.