PayPal supports international payments, checkout and invoicing in Malaysia. Take a look to see if it fits your global business needs
Key takeaways
- PayPal is a digital payments provider that allows Malaysian businesses to send, receive and manage international payments online
- Businesses can accept payments through online checkout, payment links, and invoicing
- Currency conversion fees for PayPal Malaysia starts at 3.5%
- World Account by WorldFirst is a multi-currency account that allows Malaysian businesses to send, hold, and receive funds in multiple currencies
PayPal is an international payment provider that allows businesses to receive international payments through multiple payment methods, accept online checkout, create payment links, send invoices, and manage recurring payments through a single platform.1 Businesses cannot hold collected funds in their accounts and currency conversion charges on PayPal start from 3.5%.4
This PayPal Malaysia review examines its account types, features, fees and payment capabilities to help Malaysian businesses understand how the platform works. The review also explores the World Account by WorldFirst as a multi-currency account option for businesses that routinely manage cross-border payments.
What is PayPal?
PayPal is a digital payments provider that enables individuals and businesses to send and receive payments online.1 Holding funds is currently not supported. In Malaysia, PayPal offers both personal and business accounts:1,3
- A personal account is designed for individuals making online purchases, sending or receiving personal payments and sellers/freelancers who occasionally accept payments online. Users can send and request payments from 110+ countries3
- A business account is intended for merchants operating under a registered business or company name. Users can receive payments in 130+ currencies and send money internationally to recipients in 95+ markets across 50+ currencies. The account also includes additional business tools such as employee account access for up to 200 users, online checkout, invoicing, payment links, recurring payments, and reporting tools1
Quick look: Pros and cons of PayPal Malaysia
| Pros |
Cons |
- Users can accept payments in 130+ currencies across 200 markets1
- Offers multiple business payment tools including online checkout, invoicing, payment links, recurring payments and payouts1
- Includes seller protection, reporting tools and risk management features for eligible business accounts1
|
- Currency conversion charges start at 3.5% 4
- Holding funds in multiple currencies is not supported1
|
PayPal Malaysia fees: The breakdown
| Fee type |
PayPal Malaysia fees |
| Monthly fee |
Zero8 |
| Opening a business account |
Zero8 |
| Annual account fee |
Not specified |
| Receiving domestic payments |
3.9% + fixed fee4 |
| Receiving international payments |
4.4% + fixed fee4 |
| Sending payments to other PayPal accounts |
2% of total transaction amount4 |
| Sending payments to bank accounts |
2% of total transaction amount4 |
| Currency conversion fee |
From 3.5%4 |
| Withdrawal to Malaysian bank account |
- Zero when withdrawing more than RM400 (no currency conversion involved)5
- RM3 for withdrawals below RM4005
|
*Fees checked in August 2026
How does PayPal work?
Businesses can open a PayPal Business account online by submitting identity and business verification details.6 Once approved, users can receive payments through PayPal Checkout, invoices, recurring billing and payment links.7,8,9 Clients can pay using PayPal balances, linked bank accounts, debit or credit cards.10 Funds are received in the PayPal account and automatically transferred to the user’s local bank account.16
Features of PayPal Malaysia
Receiving payments
PayPal enables Malaysian businesses to accept payments from customers across 200 markets in 130+ currencies.1
Businesses can also accept payments through1:
- Online checkout
- Payment links and buttons
- Invoicing
- Enterprise payment solutions
Customers can pay using their own PayPal account along with other supported payment methods, while businesses receive payments in their preferred currency (depending on availability).
Sending payments
Payments can be sent to 95+ markets in 50+ currencies.11 Businesses can also automate recurring payments for subscriptions and ongoing billing where supported.1
Seller protection and reporting
PayPal in Malaysia include tools designed to help businesses manage payments and monitor account performance.12 Depending on eligibility, businesses may access risk management, reporting, analytics and transaction insights.13
Reporting tools allow businesses to analyse sales, refunds, disputes, transaction types and customer activity.13
Marketplace and platform integrations
PayPal integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce and Adobe Commerce, and supports payment links, QR codes, online checkout, developer APIs and enterprise payment solutions.14
Is PayPal regulated in Malaysia?
Yes. PayPal is regulated as an e-money issuer by Bank Negara Malaysia and is also licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Major Payment Institution under the Payment Services Act 2019.15
How to open a PayPal business account in Malaysia
- Create a business account by signing up with your business details.
- Link your Malaysian bank account so you can receive and withdraw funds.
- Start accepting payments using PayPal Checkout, invoices, payment links or other supported payment solutions.
The World Account: Built for global businesses
The World Account is a multi-currency account from WorldFirst, an international payments provider. It is specifically designed for businesses handling cross-border transactions.
Businesses can receive and hold funds through MYR and USD local receiving accounts and send payments in MYR, USD and CNH. With a World Account, eligible businesses can:
- Collect payments from 130+ supported global marketplaces using local receiving account details. You can also sell on Amazon from Malaysia
- Send international business payments to suppliers and business partners
- Convert currencies when making cross-border payments
- Pay 1688.com suppliers directly through World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com
- Use firm orders for USD, MYR and CNH to set target exchange rates and automate conversions when rates are reached
→ Here’s how you can open a USD account in Malaysia
FAQs
1. Is PayPal available in Malaysia?
Yes. PayPal is available in Malaysia for both personal and business users.1,3 Malaysian businesses can accept online and international payments, send payments, create invoices, use online checkout and access business payment tools through a PayPal Business account.1
2. How to use PayPal in Malaysia?
After creating a PayPal account and linking a Malaysian bank account, users can send and receive payments through the PayPal website or mobile app.1 Businesses can also accept payments through checkout integrations, invoices, recurring payments and payment links.1
3. Can Malaysian businesses use PayPal to receive international payments?
Yes. PayPal allows Malaysian businesses to receive payments from customers in more than 200 markets and supports payments in over 130 currencies through its global payment provider.1
Sources
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business
- https://about.pypl.com/who-we-are/history-and-facts/default.aspx
- https://www.paypal.com/my/home
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/paypal-business-fees
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/paypal-business-fees#statement-18
- https://www.paypal.com/unifiedonboarding/entry?products=business_account&Z3JncnB0=
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/accept-payments/checkout
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/accept-payments/payment-links
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/accept-payments/invoice
- https://www.paypal.com/my/cshelp/article/what-debit-or-credit-cards-can-i-use-with-paypal-help612?locale.x=en_MY
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/make-payments
- https://www.paypal.com/my/legalhub/paypal/seller-protection
- https://www.paypal.com/my/business/operations/reporting-tools
- https://www.paypal.com/my/webapps/mpp/partner-directory
- https://www.paypal.com/my/webapps/mpp/about
- https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/can-i-have-my-balance-automatically-transferred-to-my-bank-account-help398
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.
