Payflex Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Merchant FAQ

Welcome to the Payflex Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) FAQ. This guide answers the most common questions merchants have about using Payflex BNPL on their Payfast account , from setup and eligibility to refunds, fees and reporting.

Getting Started

What is Payflex Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)?

Payflex BNPL is a flexible payment option that allows your customers to buy now and pay later in interest-free instalments, while you receive the full payment upfront.

It’s one of the many payment methods available through Payfast and is provided in partnership with Payflex, a third-party BNPL provider.

Learn more: What is Payflex Buy Now, Pay Later?

How do I enable Payflex BNPL on my Payfast account?

Payflex BNPL requires approval before activation.

To check your status:

1. Log in to your Payfast Dashboard.

2. Navigate to Settings > Payment Methods.

3. Find the Payflex Buy Now, Pay Later tile.

Your tile will show one of four statuses : Enabled, Disabled, Pending, or Not Available.

Learn more: How to Manage Payflex BNPL

How long does Payflex BNPL approval take?

Approval can take up to 7 working days once your details have been submitted to Payflex for review. There is currently no automatic notification, so check your tile again after a few days for updates.

Why is my Payflex BNPL tile showing “Not Available”?

This means your store is not currently eligible or has been declined by Payflex’s risk assessment. Eligibility depends on factors such as your industry, trading activity and verification status.

Learn more: Why Your Payflex BNPL Tile Shows “Not Available”

Can I request to be re-assessed if I was not approved?

Yes. If you’ve since updated your business details, verified your account, or resumed trading activity, please contact Merchant Support to request a re-assessment.

Transactions and Checkout

Where can my customers use Payflex BNPL?

Your customers can use Payflex BNPL wherever Payfast payments are accepted, including:

• Website checkout integrations,

• Payment links (Payment Requests), and

• Pay Now Buttons.

Can Payflex BNPL be used with Payment Links or Pay Now Buttons?

Yes. Payflex BNPL will automatically appear as an available payment method when:

• You generate a Pay Now Button, or

• You send a Payment Request link to a customer.

How do I find Payflex BNPL transactions on my Payfast Dashboard?

You can view Payflex transactions in two ways:

Option 1: From your dashboard overview, recent Payflex BNPL transactions will appear in your transaction summary.

Option 2:

1. Navigate to Online Transactions.

2. Use the filters at the top of the page.

3. Under Payment Type, select Buy Now Pay Later to view all Payflex BNPL transactions.

Each transaction will also show the provider name (Payflex) to help differentiate it from other payment methods.

What happens when a buyer pays using Payflex BNPL?

1. The buyer selects Payflex BNPL on your Payfast payment page.

2. They’re redirected to Payflex to log in or sign up and pay their first instalment.

3. Once the payment is approved, the buyer and merchant both receive confirmation.

4. Payflex pays Payfast the full purchase amount (minus fees) the next business day.

5. Payfast settles the merchant, as per your normal payout schedule.

Refunds and Adjustments

How do I process a refund for a Payflex BNPL transaction?

Refunds are processed the same way as other payment methods:

1. Log in to your Payfast Dashboard.

2. Navigate to Online Transactions.

3. Locate the transaction and click the three dots (⋮).

4. Select “Refund Transaction.”

5. Choose Full Refund or Partial Refund, enter the reason and submit.

Payflex processes the refund to the buyer and sends confirmation directly to them.

Learn more: How to Process Refunds for Payflex BNPL

Are there fees for refunds?

• Full refunds and the first partial refund are free.

• Any subsequent partial refunds (after the first) incur a R4 fee per refund, charged to your account.

You’ll need enough wallet balance to cover the refund amount (and refund fee, if applicable).

Can refunds be reversed?

No. Once a refund has been processed, it cannot be reversed.

How long does it take for a buyer to receive a refund?

Once submitted, Payflex processes the refund, and the buyer receives the amount back into their Payflex wallet account or linked payment method. The timing depends on the buyer’s bank and Payflex’s processing time.

Can I issue multiple partial refunds for one transaction?

Yes. You can issue multiple partial refunds up to the total value of the original transaction.

Only the first partial refund is free; all additional ones incur a R4 fee.

Fees and Reporting

Where can I find my Payflex BNPL fees?

You can view your Payflex BNPL fees in your Payfast Dashboard:

1. Navigate to Reporting > Fees.

2. Look for two lines under Payflex BNPL Fees:

a. Transaction Fees – The standard per-transaction selling rate.

b. Refund Fees – Any R4 refund charges for multiple partial refunds.

You’ll also see:

• Quantity: Number of transactions per fee type.

• Amount: Total cost for that fee type.

When and how am I settled for Payflex BNPL transactions?

Payflex settles Payfast, and Payfast then settles you as per your usual payout process. Payout amounts are net of transaction fees, refund fees and VAT.

Eligibility and Configuration

How can I increase my chances of approval for Payflex BNPL?

To ensure a smooth approval process:

• Verify your merchant account and upload all required documents.

• Keep your business information (trading name, contact details, and URL) up to date.

• Maintain active trading activity.

• Ensure your website or store URL is live and functional.

Can I edit my Payflex BNPL settings?

Yes. When your tile is Enabled, click Edit to:

• Adjust your minimum and maximum transaction values (within Payflex’s limits).

• Upload your store logo.

• Add your website URL for Payflex’s merchant directory listing.

What do minimum and maximum transaction values do?

These determine when the Payflex payment option appears at checkout:

• If a basket is below your minimum → Payflex BNPL appears but is disabled.

• If a basket is above your maximum → Payflex BNPL appears but is disabled.

• If a basket is within range → Payflex BNPL is available to select.

Marketing and Widgets

How can I let customers know I offer Payflex BNPL?

You can display Payflex widgets and marketing banners on your website or product pages.

To access them:

1. Navigate to your Payflex tile.

2. Click “Get Widgets.”

3. You’ll be redirected to the Payflex Widget Page, where you can copy embed code or download marketing materials.

Promoting BNPL early in the purchase journey helps increase conversion and basket size.

Support

Who should I contact if I need help with Payflex BNPL?

For merchant support, please contact Payfast Merchant Support via our website or email support@payfast.help.

Who handles buyer communication and queries?

• Buyers: For Payflex-specific queries, buyers are assisted directly by Payflex.

• Merchants: Handle refund or product-related queries as per your usual process.

Payflex manages all buyer-side communication for payments, refunds, and account matters.

What if a buyer fails to pay their instalments?

Payflex takes on all buyer risk and collections. As a merchant, you are not affected and will not be debited if a buyer fails to complete their instalments.

Other Questions

Can I disable Payflex BNPL later if I choose to?

Yes. You can toggle Payflex BNPL off at any time from your Payfast Dashboard under Settings > Payment Methods.

Will enabling Payflex BNPL affect my other payment methods?

No. BNPL simply adds another flexible payment option for your customers. All other payment methods remain unchanged.

Payflex BNPL gives your customers the freedom to buy now and pay later - and gives you the benefit of getting paid upfront. It’s flexible, trusted and built to help you grow.

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