To meet the different needs of UnionPay cardholders, UnionPay has been increasing the number of merchants in the signature-based acceptance network in addition tothe existing overseas acceptance network since February, 2011. According to local practices ,this allows cardholders to perform signature-based transactions without PIN using UnionPay credit card.

Question 1. What is the difference between overseas and domestic acceptance of UnionPay cards?

UnionPay credit cards are currently accepted by overseas merchants in two ways: similar to domestic merchants, most overseas participating merchants of UnionPay accept PIN-based transactions; while all the above mentioned participating merchants UnionPay has especially expanded for the acceptance of credit cards accept signature-based transactions without PIN regardless of whether a credit card has a PIN, which is similar to the waya credit card will be accepted in the networks of other international card organizations. UnionPay credit cardholders do not have to distinguish which category a merchant belongs. The cashiers will guide you through the payment process.

UnionPay debit cards are accepted by overseas participating merchants of UnionPay in the same way as domestic merchants are. But merchantswith the acceptance logo  can not accept UnionPay debit cards at the moment.

Question 2.In which countries and regions are those overseas merchants of UnionPay  who accept signature-based credit card transactions without PIN distributed?

Currently, merchants that accept signature-based payment with UnionPay credit card are mainly in the US, Canada, South Korea, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Bahamas, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Greece,Cyprus, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Belgium, Monaco, Luxembourg, Finland, Mongolia, Estonia,  Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Taiwan China. For details on participating merchants in other countries and regions, please refer to the announcements of UnionPay International.

Question 3. Which UnionPay credit cards can be accepted by the overseas merchants on signature basis without PIN?

So far, credit card issuers that accept signature-based payment without PIN include: ICBC, ABC, BOC, China Construction Bank, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, Ping An Bank, China Everbright Bank, China Citic Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, China Guangfa Bank, Bank of Beijing, Bank of Shanghai, China Minsheng Bank, Industrial Bank, and Hua Xia Bank. Other issuers are preparing to provide the service and will be ready soon afterwards.

UnionPay credit cards issued by former Shenzhen Development Bank can continue to be used in transactions without PIN. To make your overseas card-using experience more reassuring, you are recommended to consult your issuing bank before departure from China.

Question 4. If my credit card has a preset PIN formerchant transactions, how will it be accepted by UnionPay credit card merchants?

The acceptance procedure will be for the terminal to print a receipt after the cashier swipes the card, and the cardholder will sign on the sales slip to complete the transaction, with or without a preset PIN. In this case the cardholder does not have to input the transaction PIN and must follow the guidance of the cashier during the transaction process.

Question 5. Canverification by signature without PIN guarantee the safety of transactions?

UnionPay International provides risk monitoring, abnormal transaction alert and transaction control measures in collaboration with domestic card issuers and acquiring networks, and also implements risk indicator management measures for transactions in the credit card acceptance network according to the international practices.These measures will effectively avoid transaction risks.

Besides, all participating issuing banks can provide transaction SMS notification service, which may help cardholders detect abnormal transactions that are not conducted by cardholders themselves so as to inform with the issuing bank in time to stop the transactions. As transaction SMS notification service varies with each issuing bank, please consult the bank for details.