how do I get credit card acceptance for Germany as an American Internet Company 
(Inc.) ? I want to offer my internet services to german customers, too and I 
work together with a german bank called Postbank AG. In order to use their 
specially for german needs designed payment system, I need an American credit 
card acceptance contract by a big player which is accepted by the german bank. 
How cabn I do this most efficently ?

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Request for Question Clarification by researcher-ga on 24 Apr 2002 10:35 PDT

Do you already have a merchant account set up for transactions in America? Or 
are you asking for what companies assist in setting up merchant accounts? (ie. 
for processing credit cards and/or check and debit cards)

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Clarification of Question by sabini-ga on 30 Apr 2002 09:05 PDT

I need an ccac in Germany - as an american company - thatīs it. No, I
do not have a merchant account set up for transactions in America -
but I could get on easyly. The problem is : German Postbank
(PaySolution) works normally together with GZS (representing Eurocard
and Visa in Germany). Since my company is located in America GZS does
give me a GERMAN ccac. But I need one in order to work together with
German Postbank. How do I get one ?

Hi, Sabini

In order for a company incorporated in the United States to accept
credit card payments from Germany one need only set up a merchant
account here in the United States.  You can enlist the services of any
one of many companies that specialize in foreign credit card
processing; several of these companies (listed below) will set up your
domestic merchant account for you, although it is a relatively
painless endevor.  This will allow you the opportunity to continue
your relationship with Postbank AG for non-credit-card transactions
while enabling international payment for your services. All of the
companies that facilitate international credit card payment are
affiliated with many if not all of the major US based banks that issue
credit cards i.e.: Chase, Bank One, Citibank, etc.  In addition all of
the companies that I have listed can enable you to accept: Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, Discover (though different fees may
apply, and you may choose to accept only certain cards), as well as
many foreign based credit card issuers.  Below I have included the
names and contact information for several companies that will
facilitate this endeavor.  While I have not personally worked with any
of these companies they all have a proven track record including
several large reputable clients.  In addition to the contact
information I have included the links to several useful articles about
foreign credit card billing and merchant accounts.


Cybersource:
http://www.cybersource.com/
CyberSource Corporation
1295 Charleston Rd.
Mountain View, CA 94043
Phone: 650.965.6000
Fax: 650.625.9145


Shift4:
http://www.shift4.com/
Shift4 Corporation
8691 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89117
Phone: 800.265.5795

Firstdata:
Http://www.firstdata.com/
6200 South Quebec Street 
Greenwood Village, Colo. 80111 
Phone: 303.488.8000
or         800.735.3362


Workz.com has a few good articles on establishing merchant accounts
for your online business,

"Establishing a Merchant Account at Your Website" by Aaron Spitzer
(8/15/00)
http://www.workz.com/content/500.asp

"Case Study: Choosing a Merchant Account Provider" by Aaron Spitzer
(8/15/00)
http://www.workz.com/content/499.asp

and 
“International Credit Card Options”  
http://www.workz.com/content/1856.asp

"Processing International Payment Online" by Delilah Obie (8/17/00)
http://www.workz.com/content/645.asp




Feel free to ask me if you need any clarifications.
I hope this is of service to you.

as a German i do not understand your question. if your company accepts visa, 
mastercard and hopefully amex in the us, than the German costumers can pay at 
least with their credits cards. why do you need more? if the Germans what to 
pay by direct debbit or by cheque, than the money can go to your Postbank 
account.