Alibaba Cloud supports payments using bank cards and PayPal. You can also pay by bank transfer if you are an enterprise user with credit control. This document explains the requirements and procedures.
Pay online with a bank card or PayPal
Both individual and enterprise accounts can use bank cards and PayPal for payments.
The available payment methods depend on the region where your account is registered. Refer to the table below for details. indicates that a method is supported, and indicates that it is not supported.
Payment method | United States | European Union member states | European non-EU member states | Malaysia | Other countries/regions | |
Bank card | Visa | |||||
Mastercard | ||||||
American Express | ||||||
JCB | ||||||
PayPal | ||||||
Other countries/regions include but are not limited to Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China), and Macao (China).
The following payment methods or scenarios are not supported:
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 cards, virtual cards, and gift cards: These types of cards cannot pass 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: Payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are not supported.
Add a bank card or PayPal account
Before you add a payment method, take note of the following limits:
Each bank card or PayPal account can be linked to only one Alibaba Cloud account.
If a bank card or PayPal account is already linked to another account (including a deleted account in its cool-down period), you must first detach it from the original account before you can add it to a new one.
Add a bank card
Before you add a bank card, make sure that it meets the following requirements:
The card is enabled for online payments and international transactions.
The card has a sufficient balance or credit limit to cover a 1.00 USD pre-authorization.
The card is enrolled in 3D Secure authentication. For some countries or regions, such as Malaysia and EU member states, 3D Secure authentication is required by local regulations when you add a card.
You can add a bank card when you create an account. For more information, see Add payment information.
You can also add a card in the Expenses and Costs console after you create an account but before you purchase resources:
Log on to the Funding Account page. In the Third-Party Payment Method section, click Add Payment Method.
NoteIn the previous console version, go to Payment Method Management and select Add Payment Method.
On the Bank Card tab, enter the following information.
Field | Notes | |
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 your card. | |
Cardholder Name | Must match the name on the card. | |
Company Name on Card | Optional. Enter if you are using a corporate card. | |
Bill-to address | Include the full street address, city, postal code, and so on. | |
Click Submit. The system immediately initiates a pre-authorization to verify the card. If the pre-authorization is successful, the card is added. The pre-authorization amount is typically 1.00 USD. It appears on your bank statement as a charge from ALIBABACLOUD.COM and is usually canceled by your card issuer within 1 to 5 business days.
The first card that you add is set as the Preferred External Payment Method by default. You can use the card after its Payment Method Status changes to "Active".
Alibaba Cloud does not charge a service fee for card payments. If your card's settlement currency is different from the transaction currency, your card issuer may charge a foreign currency conversion fee. Contact your card issuer for details.
3D Secure authentication
3D Secure (3DS) is a security protocol for online payments. The system may trigger this verification step if it detects a potential security risk when you add a bank card or place an order to purchase, upgrade, or renew an instance.
When verification is triggered, you are automatically redirected to your card issuer's verification page. Follow the prompts to complete the identity verification, such as entering a dynamic verification code or password.
Keep the Alibaba Cloud page open during the verification process. Do not close the original window. If your browser blocks pop-up windows, configure it to allow them. After successful verification, you are automatically redirected back to Alibaba Cloud to complete the operation.
Add a PayPal account
Log on to the Funding Account page in Expenses and Costs. In the Third-Party Payment Method section, click Add Payment Method.
On the PayPal tab, click Next. You are redirected to the PayPal website.
Log on to your PayPal account and confirm the PayPal agreement. The system automatically adds PayPal as your Alibaba Cloud payment method and initiates a 1.00 USD pre-authorization.
If your PayPal account has no bank cards or other funding sources, PayPal may require you to add one immediately. If you have questions about adding a funding source to your PayPal account, contact PayPal customer service.
If the PayPal authorization is successful but the account is not displayed as added in Alibaba Cloud, the PayPal billing agreement may not have been approved. Contact PayPal customer service to confirm.
How to pay
After you add a bank card or PayPal account to your Alibaba Cloud account, you can use it to pay for resources that you purchase or use:
For subscription resources, such as a subscription ECS instance, payment is made directly when you place the order.
For pay-as-you-go resources, such as a pay-as-you-go ECS instance, your payment method is charged automatically after your consumption reaches a specific amount. The default deduction threshold for bank cards is 1,000 USD (before tax). The threshold for PayPal is between 8 USD and 500 USD, depending on the account. In addition, after your monthly bill is generated, the system makes a single deduction for any pay-as-you-go charges that did not meet the deduction threshold during the month.
If your default payment method is PayPal, the system initiates a pre-authorization on the PayPal account when you incur charges for pay-as-you-go products.
Switch payment methods
To switch your payment method:
First, make sure you have added another payment method with an Active status.
In the list of payment methods, find the one you want to use and set it as the Preferred External Payment Method.
Delete or detach a payment method
When you need to delete a payment method, consider its status and the number of payment methods on your account:
If you have multiple payment methods, you can directly delete any method that is invalid or not the preferred method in the console. You cannot delete the default payment method.
If you have only one payment method with an Active status, you cannot delete it if you have running resources, unsettled bills, or overdue payments.
Pay by bank transfer
Bank transfers are available only for users with credit control. To use this method, contact your account manager. You can use your credit limit to purchase resources. After your monthly bill is generated, you must make a payment by bank transfer before the due date on the invoice.
Alibaba Cloud provides two types of bank transfer accounts: dedicated remittance accounts (exclusive to a user, with automatic top-up) and non-dedicated remittance accounts (public accounts, requiring manual claims).
Comparison | Dedicated remittance account (Recommended) | Non-dedicated remittance account |
Description | A unique remittance account assigned to each Alibaba Cloud account. | A bank account specified in your contract or agreed upon with your Alibaba Cloud account manager. |
Top-up method and timeline | After the bank transfer is received, the funds are automatically added to your Alibaba Cloud account balance. No manual operation is needed. | After the bank transfer is received, the funds are not automatically added to your account balance. You must contact your account manager to claim the payment, which is then added to your Alibaba Cloud account. |
Procedure | Obtain dedicated account details → Make bank transfer → Funds are automatically added | Obtain non-dedicated account details → Make bank transfer → Query transaction record → Submit a claim → Wait for approval → Funds are added |
Depending on your country or region and remitting bank, it takes about 2 to 4 business days for a transfer to be processed by Alibaba Cloud. The actual time of receipt by the bank prevails.
The following sections describe how to use both bank transfer methods.
Method 1: Transfer funds to a dedicated account
New console
On the Funding Account page in Expenses and Costs, click Top-up/Remittance.
On the Top-up/Remittance page, select the account you want to top up, click Corporate Remittance, and view the dedicated remittance account details.
If you need a document to prove the dedicated account details, click Download Payment Request Form.
The supported corporate remittance bank account information varies by country. The information displayed in the console prevails.
The dedicated bank account for each Alibaba Cloud account cannot be used for other Alibaba Cloud accounts or users. Verify the account information before making a transfer to avoid errors.
Using your bank account, transfer the funds to the dedicated account through online banking, a mobile banking client, an ATM, or a bank counter.
The transferred amount is automatically added to your account balance. Check and confirm the transaction promptly.
Previous console
On the Account Balance page in Expenses and Costs, click Top-up.
On the Top-up/Remittance page, view your dedicated remittance account details.
The supported corporate remittance bank account information varies by country. The information displayed in the console prevails.
The dedicated bank account for each Alibaba Cloud account cannot be used for other Alibaba Cloud accounts or users. Verify the account information before making a transfer to avoid errors.
Using your bank account, transfer the funds to the dedicated account through online banking, a mobile banking client, an ATM, or a bank counter.
The transferred amount is automatically added to your account balance. Check and confirm the transaction promptly.
Method 2: Transfer funds to a non-dedicated account
Using your bank account, transfer the funds to Alibaba Cloud's receiving bank account through online banking, a mobile banking client, an ATM, or a bank counter.
After the transfer, contact your Alibaba Cloud account manager to claim the payment. The funds can then be added to your Alibaba Cloud account balance.
The Automatic Settlement or Automatic Monthly Bill Payment feature is enabled by default. After a remittance is credited to your account, the funds are used to automatically pay bills in chronological order. In the new console, you can enable or disable Automatic Settlement on the Billing Account page. If you use the old console, you can enable or disable Automatic Monthly Bill Payment in the Available Credit area of the Account Overview page.
If Automatic Settlement or Automatic Monthly Bill Payment is disabled, the system does not pay any outstanding amounts for any billing month. You must pay your bills manually. After you receive an invoice, transfer the payment promptly by the due date specified on the invoice.
If you are a user with credit control and have also added a bank card, the bank card will not be charged automatically.
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.
How do I determine my account's region?
Log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console. Go to Account Center > Basic Information to view the country or region and registration date that you provided during registration.
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.