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Document contractuel lié à l'acceptation des paiements par carte
Balbine • 10 novembre 2026 • 3 min de lecture

Payment Contract vs. Acceptance Agreement: Are They Mandatory?

Discover how the payment contract and the acceptance agreement work, why they matter, and how to choose the right payment service provider (PSP) for your business.

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A payment contract is a technical identifier that enables the processing of card payments for your business. It allows the transactions collected by your business to be identified by your PSP's partners, such as card schemes and issuing banks. For more information, refer to the Stancer documentation.

There are several types of payment contracts, adapted to the different payment acceptance channels of your business, such as mail/telephone order (remote sales) and terminal-based payments, whether in contact or contactless mode.

To fully benefit from the services offered by a PSP, you must subscribe to an acceptance agreement, which includes the opening of a payment contract. This agreement specifies in particular:

  • the terms and conditions for accepting payments,

  • the fees applied,

  • the obligations of your PSP and of your business in the context of card payment acceptance,

  • the potential associated services, such as the provision of a payment terminal, business tracking tools, and many more.

How the acceptance agreement works

When you subscribe to an acceptance agreement, you establish a partnership with a PSP, based on:

  1. Payment execution: Your chosen provider supplies the technical infrastructure needed to execute payments.

  2. Transaction settlement: Processed transactions are credited to your business account.

  3. Security: Your PSP guarantees the security of your customers' transactions and payment data through specific security protocols and standards, such as the 3DS protocol.

Why is the acceptance agreement important?

The acceptance agreement is essential because it enables your business to start working with a PSP and to accept card payments.

By establishing the acceptance agreement, you gain access to the infrastructure needed to process transactions. Without this agreement, it would be impossible to benefit from the PSP's services.

The acceptance agreement is therefore the essential entry point for integrating electronic payments, such as card payments, into your business model, facilitating growth and optimizing your sales processes.

How to choose your acceptance agreement?

To choose your acceptance agreement, you first need to select the PSP you want to rely on. Here are the selection criteria to consider:

  1. Costs: Compare setup fees, per-transaction commissions, and monthly fees.

  2. Associated services: Check the associated services, such as dispute management, technical support, and options for a payment terminal.

  3. Security: Make sure the chosen provider complies with current security standards.

Why choose Stancer?

Stancer is a 100% French payment solution. Although several PSPs exist, Stancer stands out for:

  1. Competitive pricing: Transparent and competitive fees for transactions accepted via the payment terminal or in e-commerce.

  2. Secure transactions: Cutting-edge technologies to guarantee the protection of your transactions.

  3. Reliable solutions: Stancer provides a robust infrastructure ensuring the continuity of your operations.

The acceptance agreement is essential for any business looking to optimize its payment process and offer a smooth, secure customer experience. By choosing your PSP wisely, you can benefit from numerous advantages and strengthen your business's competitiveness.