Pop-up vendor store in Guadalajara, Mexico - will my card reader work?

[supykun]

I am going to be vending at a dealer's table in a convention in Guadalajara, Mexico. As a company with nexus in Texas, United States, I was wondering if my Shopify POS card reader would function over there, whether I must keep the transactions in USD or not. As long as I can accept payments it should be good. If not, what options do I have to accept card payments?

[DaisyVo]

Hi @supykun 

That sounds like an exciting opportunity to showcase your products in Guadalajara. Let’s break this down so you’re fully prepared.

Will your Shopify POS card reader work in Mexico?

Unfortunately, Shopify’s POS card readers are only supported in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, and Australia. Since Mexico isn’t on that list, your Shopify card reader will not work at your convention booth.

Can you keep transactions in USD?

Even if you could use the reader, local regulations and banks in Mexico generally require businesses to process transactions in Mexican Pesos (MXN) when using local card networks. So, keeping everything in USD may not be a viable option for card transactions.

What are your alternatives for accepting payments?

Since Shopify POS won’t work there, here’s what you can do instead:

1. Use a Local Payment Processor: Services like Square, Clip, Mercado Pago, or Zettle work in Mexico and allow you to accept card payments on-site. You’ll likely need a Mexican business entity or local bank account for some of these.

2. Accept Manual Card Payments: If you have a Shopify store, you could use Shopify’s manual payment option to enter customer card details manually at checkout. But keep in mind this isn’t ideal for fast-paced sales at a convention.

3. Use PayPal QR Codes: If you have a PayPal Business account, you can generate QR codes for quick transactions. Many Mexican shoppers are familiar with PayPal, so this could be a simple solution.

4. Cash & Bank Transfers: Many customers in Mexico use SPEI bank transfers and cash as payment options. Having change ready can help smooth out sales.

What’s the best option?

If you’re looking for a quick and easy setup, PayPal QR codes and cash payments will work without too much hassle. If you want a long-term solution for international vending, consider signing up for a local payment processor like Clip or Mercado Pago ahead of time.

If you need extra help, just let me know asap. Thanks
Daisy.