Alibaba Cloud supports three payment methods: bank card, PayPal, and bank transfer. This article describes the usage conditions and procedures for each payment method.
Payment method comparison
Comparison item | Bank card | PayPal | Bank transfer |
Eligibility | Individual/Enterprise accounts | Individual/Enterprise accounts | For enterprise users with a credit limit only |
Setup process | Enter card details → Pre-authorization verification | Redirect to PayPal to authorize linking | Contact your account manager to enable |
Crediting time | Instant | Instant | 2–4 days |
Payment trigger |
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Service fee | None (Foreign currency conversion fees are charged by the card issuer) | None | None (Cross-border remittance fees are charged by the bank) |
Limit management | Depends on the card's credit limit | Depends on PayPal balance or linked card | Uses credit limit, repaid monthly |
Bank card and PayPal payments
The available payment methods depend on your Alibaba Cloud account's contracting entity, which is displayed on the registration page where you agree to the terms. The settlement currency is USD. For simplicity, the following table lists the options by the contracting entity's country or region:
Payment method | Singapore | United States | United Kingdom | Netherlands | Malaysia | |
Bank card | Visa | |||||
Mastercard | ||||||
American Express | ||||||
JCB | ||||||
PayPal | ||||||
For your reference, the following table shows the contracting entities and their corresponding user residences or billing addresses:
Residence/Billing address | Contracting entity |
Other jurisdictions not explicitly covered by the following terms | Alibaba Cloud (Singapore) Private Limited |
United Kingdom, Switzerland, and other non-EEA jurisdictions in Europe | Alibaba Cloud (Europe) Limited |
European Economic Area (EEA) | Alibaba (Netherlands) B.V. |
United States (for accounts registered before March 20, 2026) | Alibaba Cloud US LLC |
Malaysia | Alibaba Cloud (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. |
India | Alibaba Cloud (India) LLP |
If a payment method is unavailable for your account, submit a ticket for support.
If your contracting entity is in India, you can use bank transfer for payments.
The following payment types are not supported:
Bank cards with only a UnionPay logo: Your bank card must have a logo from an international card network, such as Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or JCB.
Prepaid, virtual, or gift cards: These types of cards cannot pass the pre-authorization verification.
PayPal accounts registered in the Chinese mainland: You must use a PayPal account registered outside the Chinese mainland.
Third-party payment methods within China: Methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are not supported.
Link a bank card or PayPal account
You can link a bank card or PayPal account to only one Alibaba Cloud account at a time. If your payment method is already linked to another account (even a deactivated one), you must first unlink it before adding it to a new account.
Link a bank card
Before you link a bank card, make sure it meets the following requirements:
The card is enabled for online payments and international transactions.
The card has a balance or credit limit of at least 1.00 USD to pass the pre-authorization verification.
The card is enabled for 3D Secure authentication. In some countries or regions, such as Malaysia and EU member states, you must complete 3D Secure authentication when you link a card due to local regulations.
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console, go to the Billing Account page, and in the Third-Party Payment Method section, click Add Payment Method.
NoteIf you are using the legacy Expenses and Costs console, click Payment Method Management and select Add Payment Method.
Select Bind bank card and enter the following information.
Parameter | Description | |
Card Number | None | |
Expiration Date | Use MM/YY format. You cannot add a card that expires in the current month. | |
CVV | The 3- or 4-digit security code on the back of the card. | |
Cardholder Name | Enter the name exactly as it appears on the bank card. | |
Click Submit. The system initiates a 1.00 USD pre-authorization verification, which appears on your bank statement as ALIBABACLOUD.COM. This hold is typically released by your card issuer within 1 to 5 business days.
Once the pre-authorization succeeds, the bank card is linked. The first card you add automatically becomes the Default External Payment Method. It is ready to use once its Payment Method Status changes to "Active".
Alibaba Cloud does not charge a service fee for bank card payments. If your card's settlement currency is different from the transaction currency, your card issuer might charge a foreign currency conversion fee. Contact your card issuer for details.
3D Secure authentication (3DS) is a security protocol for online payments. Alibaba Cloud may require it when you link a card or pay for an order (such as purchasing, upgrading, or renewing an instance) if the system detects a potential security risk.
When triggered, you are automatically redirected to your card issuer's verification page. Follow the prompts to verify your identity, for example, by entering a dynamic code or password.
Keep the Alibaba Cloud page open during the verification process. Do not close the original window. If your browser blocks pop-ups, you must configure it to allow them for this site.
After successful verification, you are automatically redirected back to Alibaba Cloud to complete your action.
Link a PayPal account
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console, go to the Billing Account page, and in the Third-Party Payment Method section, click Add Payment Method.
Select PayPal, click Next, and you will be redirected to the PayPal website.
Log in to your PayPal account and confirm the billing agreement. The system will automatically add PayPal as a payment method and initiate a 1.00 USD pre-authorization.
If you are using the legacy Expenses and Costs console, click Payment Method Management and select Add Payment Method.
If your PayPal account has no linked funding source, you may be required to add one before proceeding. For related assistance, contact PayPal customer service.
If the linking does not appear in the Alibaba Cloud console after a successful PayPal authorization, the billing agreement may not have been approved. Contact PayPal customer service to confirm its status.
How to pay
After you link a bank card or PayPal account, you can use it to pay for resources:
Subscription resources (such as subscription ECS): Payment is processed immediately when you place an order.
Pay-as-you-go resources (such as pay-as-you-go ECS): Your payment method is automatically charged after your usage costs reach a specific amount.
The default deduction threshold for bank cards is 1,000 USD (before tax).
The deduction threshold for PayPal is 8–500 USD and varies by account.
After your monthly bill is generated, the system deducts a single amount for any pay-as-you-go charges that did not reach the billing threshold during the month.
If your default payment method is PayPal, the system performs a pre-authorization on the PayPal account when you use pay-as-you-go products.
Switch payment methods
To switch your payment method:
First, ensure you have added another payment method with an Active status to your account.
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console. In the payment methods list, find the method you want to use and set it as the Preferred External Payment Method.
Delete or unlink a payment method
To delete a payment method, consider its status and how many other methods are linked to your account:
If you have multiple payment methods: You can delete any payment method that is Expired or not set as the default. However, you cannot delete the current Preferred External Payment Method.
If you have only one active payment method: You cannot delete it if you have running resources, outstanding bills, or overdue payments.
Use bank transfer
Bank transfer is available only for enterprise users with a credit limit. To use this method, contact your account manager.
After your credit limit is enabled, you can use it to purchase resources. After your monthly bill is generated, pay the amount by bank transfer before the due date on the invoice.
Alibaba Cloud offers two types of remittance accounts:
Comparison | Dedicated remittance account (Recommended) | Non-dedicated remittance account |
Type | Uniquely assigned to each Alibaba Cloud account. | A public account specified in the contract or agreed upon with your account manager. |
Crediting method | Funds are automatically credited to your Alibaba Cloud account balance after the bank processes the transfer. | You must contact your account manager to claim the payment before funds can be credited. |
Procedure | Get dedicated account details → Make transfer → Funds are automatically credited | Get account details → Make transfer → Contact account manager to claim payment → Await approval → Funds are credited |
It takes approximately 2 to 4 days for Alibaba Cloud to process a bank transfer. The final crediting time depends on when the bank completes the transaction.
The following sections describe how to use both types of bank transfers.
Make a transfer to a dedicated account
New console
Log on to the Expenses and Costs console, go to the Billing Account page, and click Top-up & Remittance.
On the Add Funds page, select the Top-up Account, click Corporate Remittance, and view the dedicated remittance account details.
If you need a document as proof of the dedicated account, click Download Remittance Application Form.
Transfer the funds to the dedicated account by using online banking, a mobile banking app, an ATM, or a bank counter.
The transferred amount is automatically credited to your account balance. Check your balance to confirm.
The supported corporate remittance bank accounts vary by country. The information displayed in the console is final.
The dedicated bank account is for your current Alibaba Cloud account only. Do not use it for other accounts.
Legacy console
In the Expenses and Costs console, go to the Account Balance page and click Top-up.
On the Top-up/Remittance page, view your dedicated remittance account details.
Transfer the funds to the dedicated account by using online banking, a mobile banking app, an ATM, or a bank counter.
The transferred amount is automatically credited to your account balance. Check your balance to confirm.
The supported corporate remittance bank accounts vary by country. The information displayed in the console is final.
The dedicated bank account is for your current Alibaba Cloud account only. Do not use it for other accounts.
Make a transfer to a non-dedicated account
Transfer the funds to Alibaba Cloud's receiving bank account by using online banking, a mobile banking app, an ATM, or a bank counter.
After the transfer, contact your account manager to claim the payment.
Automatic settlement settings
The Automatic Bill Settlement or Automatic Monthly Bill Payment feature is enabled by default. After funds are credited to your account, bills are automatically paid in chronological order.
If you use the new Expenses and Costs console, you can enable or disable Automatic Bill Settlement on the Billing Account page.
If you use the legacy Expenses and Costs console, you can enable or disable Automatic Monthly Bill Payment in the Available Credit section on the Account Overview page.
If this feature is disabled, you must pay your bills manually. Make sure to transfer the payment by the due date specified on the invoice.
If you are a user with a credit limit and have also linked a bank card, the bank card is not used for automatic payments.
FAQ
What should I do if I can't add my bank card?
This issue usually stems from card type restrictions, bank-side declines, or account limitations. Here's how to troubleshoot it:
Check for supported card types. We only accept credit or debit cards with a Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, or JCB logo that are enabled for international payments. We do not support prepaid cards, virtual cards, gift cards, or cards that only have a UnionPay logo.
Ensure the card is not linked to another account. Each bank card can only be linked to one Alibaba Cloud account at a time. If your card is already associated with another account (including one in its 15-day post-closure silent period), you must first remove it from that account.
Contact your issuing bank. Your bank may decline the transaction if it does not support international payments or due to its internal risk control policies. Contact your bank to authorize the transaction or try a different card.
Verify sufficient funds for pre-authorization. To verify your card, we initiate a USD 1.00 (or local currency equivalent) pre-authorization. This can fail due to insufficient funds or if your bank blocks the transaction. Ensure your card has adequate funds and is authorized for this type of charge.
Rule out browser or network issues. Ad-blocking plugins, browser cache, or network instability can interfere with the process. Try again using Chrome's incognito mode, clearing your cache, or on a different device.
What should I do if a payment fails?
Start by checking the following common causes for payment failure:
Complete KYC identity verification: If you see an error message requiring KYC verification, you must submit the required documents. Ensure the identity information you submit matches the information used to register your Alibaba Cloud account. Failures often occur due to inconsistent information or blurry/expired documents.
Complete the 3D Secure (3DS) verification process: Many payment failures occur because the 3DS step was not completed. When paying, ensure you are not closing the redirection page from your bank. You can also find a verification link in your internal messages or email to complete the process and then retry the payment.
Check bank card status and functionality: If your payment fails without a 3DS prompt, contact your issuing bank to confirm that your card is enabled for international and online transactions, that 3DS is active, and that there are sufficient funds and no blocks on your account.
Use a supported payment method: The Alibaba Cloud international site does not support credit cards issued in the Chinese mainland, prepaid cards, gift cards, or virtual cards. PayPal accounts registered in the Chinese mainland are also not supported.
Rule out browser or network issues: Clear your browser cache, try a different browser like Chrome, or switch to another device. An unstable network or a browser plugin could be blocking the 3DS page from loading.
Check account region
Log on to the Alibaba Cloud console and go to Account Center > Basic Information to view your account's country/region and registration time.
Can I use an unverified credit card?
No. For security purposes, your credit card must be successfully verified before it can be used for payments.
Will the credit card verification charge be refunded?
Yes. We initiate a refund for the verification charge within 24 hours.
The refund may take up to 30 days to appear in your account, depending on your issuing bank's processing time.