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How to Use PayPal for Business in the U.S.

A practical guide to using PayPal for a U.S. business: account setup, payment methods, fee examples, and protection limits.

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For a U.S. business, using PayPal means choosing a Business account if you need company-name operations or business tools, linking a bank account, and selecting a way to take payment: online Checkout, invoices, shareable links or QR codes, or in-person acceptance. Fees and available features depend on the payment route and transaction, so check PayPal’s current U.S. fee schedule before setting prices.

Choose the right PayPal account

PayPal says all account types can send and receive payments, but recommends a Business account if you operate under a company or group name, want to accept card and bank payments, need limited employee access, or want business products such as Checkout. A Personal account is aimed at shopping and personal payments. See PayPal’s account-type comparison.

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Set up PayPal for your business

  1. Open or use a Business account. Enter or confirm the business information PayPal requests. On its U.S. acceptance page, PayPal describes creating a Business account and confirming business details as part of getting started: PayPal business payment acceptance.
  2. Link a bank account. PayPal includes linking a bank account in its getting-started guidance for online acceptance.
  3. Choose how customers will pay. Use Checkout for an online store, invoices for billing a customer, a payment link or button for a hosted payment route, or an in-person option for face-to-face sales.
  4. Check the relevant fee category. Review the current fee schedule for your market, payment type, currency, and transaction before quoting a price or estimating what you will receive.

PayPal does not establish one identical verification process or set of screens for every new account and business type. Account requirements and availability may differ, so follow the prompts shown for your account rather than assuming payments will be enabled immediately.

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Pick a payment method for your sales channel

Sales situation PayPal option What to know
Online store PayPal Checkout PayPal describes Checkout as an online acceptance route. Available methods can include PayPal, cards, Venmo in the U.S., digital wallets, and Pay Later, depending on availability and product configuration. PayPal’s acceptance page describes its options.
Billing a customer directly Invoices Send an invoice as a payment request for goods or services. Invoicing has separately listed transaction rates, so do not assume it carries the same fee as every Checkout or card transaction. See the U.S. merchant fee schedule.
Selling without a website Payment Links, Buttons, or QR codes PayPal says links and buttons can be shared by email, social media, or text. Its hosted Payment Links checkout can be used without a website or coding: PayPal Payment Links.
In-person sales POS or Tap to Pay PayPal promotes a POS system and phone-based contactless payments. Its small-business page says Tap to Pay can accept contactless payments on a phone without extra hardware; confirm current device compatibility and account eligibility. PayPal business payment acceptance.

Accept payments without a website

A website is not required for every PayPal payment method. PayPal’s U.S. business FAQ says, “No, you don’t need a website to accept PayPal.” For direct sales, you can create a Payment Link, Button, or QR code and share it with a customer by email, text, or social media. PayPal describes Payment Links as shareable hosted checkout URLs that need no website or coding on its Payment Links page.

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  • No long-term commitments or contracts, no monthly fees- and with offline payments, keep taking payments for up to 24 hours.
  • Safely and securely accepts payments anywhere. Plus, get data security, 24/7 fraud prevention, and payment-dispute management at no extra cost.
  • Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.

For an online store, Checkout is the more relevant route because it is designed for an integrated online purchase flow. For an individual bill, use an invoice; for face-to-face sales, check the current POS or Tap to Pay offering and confirm that your phone and account qualify.

Understand PayPal business fees

PayPal’s U.S. merchant fee schedule was last updated October 1, 2026. It lists different rates by payment method and transaction category. Examples for domestic commercial transactions on that schedule are:

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Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
  • Get your money as soon as the next business day.
  • Get set up quickly with no long-term commitments. Download the Square Point of Sale app for free, create an account, and start taking payments anywhere.
  • Run your business all in one place with the free Square Point of Sale app. Track your sales, manage inventory, accept tips, send receipts digitally, and more.
  • Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
Transaction type Published rate
PayPal Checkout 3.49% + fixed fee
Standard credit and debit card payments 2.99% + fixed fee
International commercial transactions Applicable domestic rate plus an additional 1.50% percentage-based fee
Invoicing: PayPal Checkout, Venmo, or Guest Checkout 3.49% + fixed fee
Invoicing: standard card payments and certain wallets 2.99% + fixed fee

These are examples from PayPal’s U.S. schedule, not a complete quote. The fixed fee varies by currency, and the schedule lists separate rates for other routes. PayPal says it does not charge a fee to make a refund for a commercial or invoicing payment, but the original fee for receiving that payment is not returned. Check the current fee schedule for the exact transaction and your account market before you set customer prices or calculate net proceeds.

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Know the limits of Seller Protection

PayPal says Seller Protection is available only for eligible unauthorized transactions and item-not-received claims for PayPal Checkout merchants; limitations and exclusions apply. It is not blanket coverage for every sale, payment method, or dispute. Review the terms and check the eligibility of the specific transaction in your PayPal account. PayPal outlines its acceptance and protection qualifications on its U.S. acceptance page.

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  • With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
  • Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
  • Process chip cards in just two seconds.
  • Get your money as soon as the next business day.
  • Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Which payment route should you use?

  • Use Checkout when customers buy through an online store and you want a store-integrated payment route.
  • Use invoices when you need to request payment from a particular customer for goods or services.
  • Use a Payment Link, Button, or QR code when you need a shareable hosted checkout rather than a full website integration.
  • Consider POS or Tap to Pay for face-to-face transactions, after confirming availability for your account and device.

No option is established as universally cheapest or best for every business. Compare the route that fits your sales channel, the payment types your customers can use, the applicable fee category and currency, and any eligibility limits that matter to your transaction.

This article covers PayPal’s U.S. pages. Product availability, account requirements, and fees can differ in other countries; use the relevant local PayPal pages for a non-U.S. business.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd Generation)
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Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.; Use the, easy-to-use, and customizable POS to get started.
$47.20
Bestseller No. 2
Square Reader for magstripe (USB-C)
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Get your money as soon as the next business day.; Works with Apple devices with a Lightning connector.
$9.88
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Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS
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Process chip cards in just two seconds.; Get your money as soon as the next business day.; Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
$298.99
SaleBestseller No. 4
Square Reader for magstripe (with Lightning connector)
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Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
$9.40
Best Value
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  • GRIP ENHANCEMENT: Textured exterior surface provides improved handling and prevents slipping during transactions
  • PORTABLE DESIGN: Lightweight and slim profile allows for easy storage in pockets or bags while maintaining complete protection
Rank #4
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Square Reader for magstripe (with Lightning connector)
  • Pay one transparent rate per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
  • Works in conjunction with most downloadable Square point-of-sale apps on your device. Customers can pay, tip and sign directly on your device. Track payments in cash, gift cards and more. Also lets you send receipts via e-mail or text message, makes it easy to apply discounts, keeps a data and sales history log and more.
  • Accepts magstripe credit card payments, including those from Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express (fees apply).
  • App sends deposits to your bank account within 1 to 2 business days, or enjoy instant deposits (fees apply).

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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