Running an online store in Jamaica means you need a reliable way to accept credit card payments. But here’s the challenge, most international payment gateways either don’t serve the Caribbean market or come with high fees and currency conversion headaches.
If you’ve tried setting up Stripe only to discover it doesn’t support Jamaican merchants, or watched PayPal eat into your profits with conversion fees, you’re not alone. Thousands of Caribbean business owners face the same frustration.
The good news? There’s a payment solution built specifically for merchants in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, the Bahamas, and across the Caribbean and Latin America. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about accepting credit card payments on your WooCommerce store using PowerTranz.
Table of Contents
Why Caribbean Merchants Struggle with Payment Processing
Before we dive into the solution, let’s understand the problem. If you’re a merchant in Kingston, Montego Bay, Port of Spain, Bridgetown, or Nassau, you’ve likely encountered these obstacles:
Limited Gateway Availability
Stripe, the world’s most popular payment processor, doesn’t accept merchants from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, or most Caribbean nations. Square doesn’t operate in the region either. This leaves Caribbean entrepreneurs with far fewer options than their North American counterparts.
Currency Conversion Costs
When you use PayPal or other international gateways, your Jamaican dollars (JMD), Trinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD), or Barbados dollars (BBD) get converted to USD, then converted back when you withdraw. Each conversion costs 2.5% to 4%. On a $10,000 JMD sale, you could lose $400-800 just in conversion fees.
Difficult Merchant Account Approval
International payment processors view Caribbean merchants as “high risk” simply because of geography. This leads to account holds, frozen funds, and sudden terminations, even for legitimate businesses with no chargebacks.
Poor Customer Support
When something goes wrong with your payments at 2 PM Jamaica time, good luck reaching someone at a US-based payment company. Time zone differences mean critical issues can take days to resolve.
The Solution: PowerTranz Payment Processing
PowerTranz is a payment processing platform built specifically for the Caribbean and Latin American market. If you’ve heard of First Atlantic Commerce (FAC), you should know that First Atlantic Commerce is now PowerTranz, they rebranded to better reflect their expanded capabilities and regional focus.
Unlike international gateways that treat Caribbean merchants as an afterthought, PowerTranz was designed from the ground up for businesses in:
- Jamaica – Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and island-wide
- Trinidad and Tobago – Port of Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas
- Barbados – Bridgetown and across the island
- The Bahamas – Nassau, Freeport, and the Family Islands
- Eastern Caribbean – Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Vincent
- Guyana and Suriname
- Latin America – Including Belize, Panama, and expanding markets
Why PowerTranz Works Better for Caribbean Merchants
PowerTranz integrates directly with Caribbean banks and acquiring institutions. This means:
- Local currency settlement – Get paid in JMD, TTD, BBD, or XCD without conversion fees
- Faster approvals – Banks know PowerTranz and trust the platform
- Regional support – Help is available during Caribbean business hours
- Lower fees – No cross-border charges eating into your margins
- Stable accounts – No sudden freezes or terminations
What You Need to Get Started
Before setting up credit card payments on your Jamaican WooCommerce store, gather these requirements:
Technical Requirements
- WordPress website – Version 6.0 or higher
- WooCommerce – Version 8.0 or higher
- SSL certificate – Your site must use HTTPS (most hosts provide this free)
- PHP 7.4+ – PHP 8.0 or higher recommended for best performance
Business Requirements
- Registered business – Sole trader, partnership, or limited company
- Bank account – Business account with a Caribbean bank
- PowerTranz merchant account – Applied through your bank or PowerTranz directly
- Valid identification – For KYC (Know Your Customer) verification
PowerTranz Credentials
Once approved, PowerTranz provides three pieces of information you’ll need:
- PowerTranz ID – Your unique merchant identifier
- Password – Your API password for authentication
- Gateway ID – Identifies your specific gateway configuration
You’ll receive separate credentials for the test environment (sandbox) and live environment (production). Always test thoroughly before going live.
How to Apply for a PowerTranz Merchant Account
Getting a PowerTranz merchant account is straightforward for Caribbean businesses. Here’s the process:
Option 1: Through Your Bank
Many Caribbean banks have existing relationships with PowerTranz. Contact your bank’s merchant services department and ask about PowerTranz integration. Banks that commonly work with PowerTranz include:
- Jamaica: NCB, Scotiabank Jamaica, JMMB, First Global Bank
- Trinidad: Republic Bank, First Citizens, RBC Trinidad
- Barbados: CIBC FirstCaribbean, Republic Bank Barbados
- Bahamas: Commonwealth Bank, Royal Bank of Canada
- Eastern Caribbean: Bank of St. Vincent, CIBC FirstCaribbean
Going through your bank can speed up approval since you already have a banking relationship.
Option 2: Direct Application
Visit powertranz.com and contact their sales team directly. They can guide you through the application process and connect you with an appropriate acquiring bank if needed.
What to Expect During Approval
The approval process typically takes 1-3 weeks and involves:
- Application submission – Business details, expected transaction volume, product/service description
- KYC verification – Identity documents for business owners
- Website review – They’ll check your site has proper terms, privacy policy, and contact information
- Underwriting – Risk assessment based on your business type
- Account setup – Credentials issued for testing
Tip: Having a professional, complete website speeds up approval. Make sure your site has:
- Clear product descriptions
- Shipping and return policies
- Privacy policy
- Terms and conditions
- Contact information (physical address, phone, email)
Step-by-Step: Installing the PowerTranz WooCommerce Plugin
Now let’s get technical. Here’s how to install and configure the PowerTranz Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin on your Jamaican online store.
Step 1: Purchase and Download the Plugin
- Visit sitepactja.com/powertranz-payment-gateway-for-woocommerce
- Purchase your license (one license per site)
- Download the plugin zip file from your account dashboard
Step 2: Install the Plugin
- Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
- Navigate to Plugins → Add New
- Click Upload Plugin at the top of the page
- Click Choose File and select the downloaded zip file
- Click Install Now
- Wait for installation to complete, then click Activate
Step 3: Access the Gateway Settings
- Go to WooCommerce → Settings
- Click the Payments tab
- Find PowerTranz in the list of payment methods
- Click Manage (or the toggle to enable, then Manage)
Step 4: Configure Basic Settings
In the gateway settings, configure these options:
Enable/Disable
- Check the box to enable PowerTranz as a payment option at checkout
Title
- This is what customers see at checkout
- Recommended: “Credit/Debit Card” or “Pay with Card”
Description
- Additional text shown at checkout
- Example: “Secure payment via Visa, Mastercard, or American Express”
Step 5: Enter Your API Credentials
Enter the credentials provided by PowerTranz:
- PowerTranz ID – Your merchant identifier
- Password – Your API password
Important: Start with your TEST credentials. You’ll switch to live credentials after testing.
Step 6: Choose Your Integration Type
The plugin offers two integration methods:
SPI (Server Payment Interface) – Recommended
- Uses PowerTranz’s hosted payment page
- Card data never touches your server
- Reduces your PCI compliance requirements
- Supports Kount fraud detection
- Best for most merchants
FPI (Form Payment Interface)
- Customers enter card details directly on your checkout page
- Seamless, branded experience
- Requires more security considerations
- Best for merchants wanting full checkout control
For Jamaican merchants just getting started, we recommend SPI. It’s easier to set up and provides maximum security with minimal compliance burden.
Step 7: Configure Payment Action
Choose how you want to handle payments:
Sale (Authorize and Capture)
- Charges the customer immediately
- Funds captured at time of purchase
- Best for digital products, in-stock items, and most retail
Authorize Only
- Places a hold on the customer’s card
- You capture funds later by changing order status to Processing or Completed
- Best for custom orders, pre-orders, or when you need to verify before charging
Step 8: Enable Test Mode
- Check the Test Mode box
- This uses the PowerTranz sandbox environment
- No real money is charged
Step 9: Save Your Settings
Click Save changes at the bottom of the page. Your gateway is now configured and ready for testing.
Testing Your Payment Integration
Never go live without testing. Here’s how to verify everything works correctly.
Test Card Numbers
Use these official PowerTranz test cards:
| Card Number | Card Type | 3D Secure | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4012000000020071 | V isa | Frictionless | Approved |
| 4012000000020006 | Visa | Challenge | Approved (password: 3ds2) |
| 5100270000000023 | Mastercard | Frictionless | Approved |
| 341111000000009 | Amex | Frictionless | Ap proved |
For all test cards:
- Use any future expiry date (e.g., 12/25)
- Use any 3-digit CVV (4 digits for Amex)
- Use any name and address
Running Your Test
- Add a product to your cart
- Go to checkout
- Fill in customer details (use test data)
- Select the PowerTranz payment method
- Enter a test card number
- Complete the purchase
What to Check
- Payment completes without errors
- Order status changes correctly (Processing or Completed)
- Customer receives order confirmation email
- Transaction appears in WooCommerce orders
- Order notes show transaction details
Testing 3D Secure
Use card 4012000000020006 to test the 3D Secure challenge flow. When prompted for authentication, enter password: 3ds2
This simulates a transaction that requires cardholder verification.
Going Live: Accepting Real Payments
Once testing is complete, here’s how to start processing real credit card payments from your Jamaican customers:
Step 1: Switch to Live Credentials
- Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments → PowerTranz
- Replace your test credentials with live credentials
- Uncheck Test Mode
- Click Save changes
Step 2: Process a Small Test Transaction
Before announcing to customers, place a small real order yourself:
- Use your own credit card
- Purchase your lowest-priced item
- Verify the transaction appears in your bank’s merchant portal
- Process a refund to confirm that works too
Step 3: Monitor Your First Few Days
Keep a close eye on transactions during your first week:
- Check WooCommerce orders regularly
- Review order notes for any errors
- Ensure customers receive confirmation emails
- Be available to handle any customer issues quickly
Security Features That Protect Your Business
The PowerTranz Payment Gateway for WooCommerce includes enterprise-grade security features that protect both you and your customers.
3D Secure 2.0
Every transaction is protected by 3D Secure 2.0 (also known as Verified by Visa, Mastercard SecureCode, and Amex SafeKey). This adds cardholder verification that:
- Reduces fraudulent transactions
- Shifts chargeback liability to card issuers
- Provides a smooth experience for legitimate customers
Most transactions complete with “frictionless” authentication, the customer doesn’t even notice it happening. Only suspicious transactions trigger additional verification.
Kount Fraud Detection
For SPI integration, the gateway supports Kount, an AI-powered fraud detection system. Kount analyzes hundreds of data points in real-time:
- Device fingerprinting
- Geographic anomalies
- Transaction patterns
- Known fraud indicators
To enable Kount, contact the PowerTranz business development team. They’ll coordinate setup with your merchant account.
PCI Compliance
When using SPI mode, card data is entered on PowerTranz’s secure servers, not your website. This dramatically reduces your PCI compliance requirements. You’re responsible only for maintaining a secure website, not for handling sensitive card data.
Card Tokenization
When customers save their cards for future purchases, the actual card numbers are never stored on your site. Instead, PowerTranz creates a secure token. This means:
- If your site were ever compromised, card numbers couldn’t be stolen
- Customers can check out faster on return visits
- You can offer subscription products with automatic billing
Accepting Multiple Currencies
Caribbean merchants often serve customers across multiple countries. The PowerTranz gateway supports various regional currencies:
- JMD – Jamaican Dollar
- USD – US Dollar
- TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
- BBD – Barbados Dollar
- XCD – Eastern Caribbean Dollar
- BSD – Bahamian Dollar
- GYD – Guyanese Dollar
The currency sent to PowerTranz matches your WooCommerce store currency. If you need multi-currency support (showing prices in different currencies to different customers), consider a currency switching plugin that works alongside the gateway.
Subscription Payments for Jamaican Businesses
If your business model includes recurring payments, the PowerTranz gateway integrates fully with WooCommerce Subscriptions. This is perfect for:
- Membership sites – Gyms, clubs, online communities
- Software subscriptions – SaaS products sold to Caribbean customers
- Service retainers – Monthly marketing, maintenance, or consulting
- Subscription boxes – Recurring product deliveries
- Payment plans – Split large purchases into monthly payments
When a customer purchases a subscription, their card is tokenized. Renewals are processed automatically without the customer re-entering their details.
Handling Refunds and Voids
Sometimes you need to return money to customers. The gateway supports both refunds and voids directly from WooCommerce.
Processing a Refund
- Go to WooCommerce → Orders
- Click on the order you want to refund
- Click Refund
- Enter the refund amount (full or partial)
- Click Refund via PowerTranz
The refund is processed immediately and typically appears on the customer’s statement within 5-10 business days.
Voiding an Authorization
If you use Authorize Only and need to cancel before capturing, you can void the authorization. This releases the hold on the customer’s card without any fees.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are solutions to problems Jamaican merchants commonly encounter:
Gateway Not Showing at Checkout
- Confirm the gateway is enabled in WooCommerce settings
- Check that your site uses HTTPS
- Verify WooCommerce is up to date
- Check for plugin conflicts by temporarily disabling other plugins
Invalid Credentials Error
- Double-check your PowerTranz ID, Password, and Gateway ID
- Ensure you’re using test credentials in test mode and live credentials in live mode
- Credentials are case-sensitive, check for typos
Transactions Failing
- Check order notes for the specific error code
- Verify the card details are correct
- Confirm your merchant account is active
- Enable debug logging to get detailed information
3D Secure Not Working
- 3D Secure is handled by the customer’s bank, you can’t control whether they show a challenge
- Test with the challenge test card to verify your setup
- Ensure your callback URLs are accessible (not blocked by firewall or security plugins)
Getting Help
If you run into issues, here’s where to get support:
Plugin Support
For issues with the WooCommerce plugin itself, contact Sitepact at sitepactja.com/contact
PowerTranz Account Issues
For merchant account questions, transaction disputes, or settlement issues, contact PowerTranz directly through your account manager or at powertranz.com
Documentation
Full plugin documentation is available at sitepactja.com/docs/guide/powertranz-woocommerce-integration
Start Accepting Payments Today
Setting up credit card payments for your Jamaican WooCommerce store doesn’t have to be complicated. With PowerTranz and the right plugin, you can start accepting Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and more within a day.
Whether you’re selling handmade crafts from Kingston, offering tourism services in Montego Bay, running a subscription business in Trinidad, or shipping products across the Caribbean, PowerTranz gives you the payment infrastructure you need to grow.
Ready to get started?
Have questions? Contact us and we’ll help you get set up.
