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Online payments for simple imports
Pay suppliers on the spot
What you need to know
Only for simple imports
Pay for all the simple imports of your business directly from your computer through business web banking.
Settle payments directly to your suppliers in Greece, the European Union or another country abroad, in euro or foreign currencies, without currency conversion. Transfer up to €5,000,000 a day or the equivalent in foreign currency.
Based on user category
Business digital banking users can carry out payments for simple imports according to the rights you have granted.
It is important that payment approvals are carried out on time, depending on the transfer date you have chosen and the currency.
Right away
The money is transferred directly to your supplier’s account, if they hold an account with Alpha Bank.
On the same day
If you choose urgent priority at the time of transaction, the money appears in the account of the supplier on the same day. As long as:
- It is a business day.
- You make a payment without currency conversion.
The transaction is completed by 12:00 for Norwegian, Danish or Swedish krone and Swiss franc, and by 14:00 for euro, US dollar, pound sterling or Canadian dollar.
In 1-2 business days
If you choose normal priority, the money will be deposited:
- On the next business day, for SEPA countries
- In 2 business days, for non-SEPA countries
On a future date
You may choose to execute the transaction on a future date, but only for payments in euro.
Free of charge to Alpha Bank accounts
You are not charged any fees to transfer money to Alpha Bank accounts.
To an account at another bank in Greece
You may choose who pays the fees:
- Fees are shared (SHA) – You only pay the fees for Alpha Bank, €0.50 for amounts up to €5,000.
- Fees are borne by the sender (ΟUR) – You pay the fees for Alpha Bank and the other bank.
To an account at a bank abroad
You only pay the fees for Alpha Bank (SHA) – €0.50 for amounts up to €5,000.
Find all the fees in Alpha Bank’s transaction term fees.
What you need to make payments for simple imports online
Make payments provided you…
- Hold a business account with Alpha Bank.
- Have active business web banking credentials.
- Have activated strong customer authentication to receive 6-digit verification codes.
- Have booked an appointment to visit a branch near you to register your business in the Alpha Bank System of International Trade Transactions (Bank Trade).
Have at hand...
- The IBAN to which you want to transfer money.
- The account holder's name as appearing in the account details.
- The BIC / SWIFT of the receiving bank, if you are transferring money to a bank abroad.
How to make payments for simple imports online
1. Log into business web banking
2. Find the imports
On the home screen (Overview), choose “Transfers” from the top menu.
Then choose “Imports”.
Read the terms for import payments and save them on your computer. Choose “Continue”.
3. Fill in an account
Choose:
- “Order to another bank” if you want to transfer money to an account held at Alpha Bank.
- “To Alpha Bank account” if you want to transfer money to another bank in Greece or abroad.
Choose the account from which the money will be transferred.
Choose the account to which the money will be transferred. Choose:
- “Yes” if you want to transfer money to an account saved in your profile.
- “No” if you want to transfer money to another account and fill in the IBAN. If you want to transfer money to another bank, fill in the country and BIC of the receiving bank, as well as the name and address of the account holder. Verification of Payee (VoP) is carried out and you check it’s a match before proceeding.
4. Fill in the remaining details
Enter:
- Amount, currency and transfer date. If you want to transfer money to another bank, fill in the fees (SHA or OUR) and priority (Normal or Urgent).
- Imported goods and country of origin from the drop-down list.
- Invoice number, invoice date, details for sender and payment details.
Choose “Submit”.
5. Confirm the transaction
A check is carried out to confirm that the recipient name matches and you get the verification outcome (match, close match, no match, check not possible). Based on the outcome, you decide whether you’ll complete the transaction.
Accept the terms for import payments.
Choose “Confirm”.
Enter the 6-digit verification code you receive on your mobile.
Click on “Continue” to conclude the process.
If you want, click on “Add to my transfers” to save the transfer in your profile and not have to fill in the details every time.
Explore other options
Any questions?
Find the answers you need about payments for simple imports.
What is the transaction limit for simple imports and how can I change it?
You set the limit per transaction and it covers all payments to accounts for simple imports.
The maximum limit you can set is €50,000 per transaction.
To change the limit, log into business web banking and choose Profile > Security management > Transfer limits. Click on the pencil icon next to the “Limit for single import” and/or the “Daily transfer limit” and fill in an amount up to €50,000 to set the limit.
To increase the single import or daily transfer limit over €50,000 book an appointment at a branch.
What are the simple import payments that I cannot carry out online?
Through business web banking, you cannot pay:
- Documentary collections from a bank, transport company or commercial agent, with conditions for Alpha Bank, such as instructions for delivering documents for payment, paying commission to an agent, or paying a transport or insurance company.
- Clean collections, such as letters of intent, promissory notes, bills of exchange or cheques, with conditions for Alpha Bank.
- Letters of credit.
- Letters of guarantee or stand-by letters of credit.
- Liabilities from an existing differed settlement import file.
For payments you cannot carry out through business web banking, use the online Alpha Web International Trade portal or book an appointment at a branch.
When is my account charged when I make simple import payments?
- Instantly, if you are transferring money to an Alpha Bank account or if you have chosen urgent priority.
- In 1-2 business days, if you are transferring money to another bank.
- On the selected date, if you have chosen a specific transfer date.
In the latter 2 cases, make sure there is sufficient balance in your account for the transfer. Otherwise, the transaction will not be completed.
Make import payments online
Book an appointment today and activate payments for simple imports through business web banking.
