PayPal allows and restricts certain types of payments and transactions between countries based on local regulations, compliance with financial laws, and PayPal’s own operational policies. Below is a summary of which countries do allow domestic transactions and do not allow inter-country transfers.
1. Countries Where Domestic Payments (Same Country Transfers) Are Allowed:
- Most countries support domestic payments, including:
- United States (USA)
- Canada
- European Union countries (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, etc.)
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- Japan
- India (Domestic transfers between businesses are supported, but personal transfers are restricted due to RBI regulations)
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Mexico
- Brazil (Merchant payments, but personal payments are restricted)
- These countries generally allow transactions within their borders for both business and personal accounts.
2. Countries Where Inter-Country Payments Are Allowed:
- Cross-border payments (from one country to another) are supported in almost all countries where PayPal operates.
- For example, you can send payments from the U.S. to the UK, Canada to India, Australia to Japan, etc.
- However, there are some limitations depending on the country’s specific regulations or currency restrictions.
3. Countries Where Domestic Payments Are Not Allowed:
- India: Domestic personal payments are restricted. PayPal only allows business payments within India (for receiving payments related to goods or services). Personal transfers (friends and family payments) are not supported between Indian accounts.
- China: While PayPal operates in China, it has limitations in transferring funds between Chinese PayPal accounts for domestic transactions. Cross-border payments are allowed, but domestic transfers have significant restrictions.
- Vietnam: Domestic payments are not supported, and only cross-border payments are allowed.
- Russia: Some restrictions apply, and there are certain limitations on payments to and from Russian PayPal accounts, especially after the imposition of financial sanctions.
4. Countries with Special Payment Restrictions (Due to Regulations or Sanctions):
- North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria: PayPal does not operate in these countries due to international sanctions and regulatory compliance issues.
- Sudan: There are restrictions on PayPal services due to U.S. sanctions.
5. Cross-Border Payment Restrictions:
While PayPal generally allows international payments, there are certain restrictions:
- Currency Conversion Fees: When transferring money internationally, PayPal may charge a currency conversion fee, depending on the countries involved.
- Country-Specific Limitations: Some countries, like India and Brazil, may have restrictions or additional documentation required for businesses to receive payments from abroad.
6. Key Takeaways:
- Most countries support domestic transactions between PayPal accounts (business and personal), but personal payments in India, China, and some other countries are restricted.
- Cross-border payments are generally allowed in most countries where PayPal operates, but certain sanctioned countries (North Korea, Iran, etc.) are completely excluded.
- Be sure to check PayPal’s country-specific guidelines for any changes in local financial regulations or restrictions in your region.
Conclusion:
If you’re specifically looking for countries where PayPal allows inter-country transfers, the general rule is that most countries (including the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and EU countries) support cross-border payments, while domestic restrictions are limited mainly to countries like India (for personal payments) or China. Always check PayPal’s official guidelines for up-to-date details.