Payment gateway in Chile: how to accept Webpay, Khipu, MACH and Pago46 on your website
How Chilean buyers pay online, how a payment gateway handles cards, bank transfers, wallets and cash from charge to webhook, the risks to watch and a checklist for choosing a provider.
Published 05 November 2026 3 min read
Also available in: Español
Chile is one of Latin America's most mature e-commerce markets. Almost everyone has a bank account — many through BancoEstado's CuentaRUT — and debit cards are common. But Chilean buyers also pay a lot by bank transfer, with wallets such as MACH, and, if they have no account, in cash.
This guide explains how Chileans pay online, how a payment gateway handles Webpay, Khipu, MACH and Pago46, the risks and how to choose a provider.
Common ways to pay online
| Method | How it works | For whom |
|---|---|---|
| Webpay | Transbank's payment form for credit, debit and prepaid cards | Most card holders |
| Bank transfer (TEF) | Instant 24/7 transfer between banks | Buyers who prefer their bank |
| Khipu | Starts a transfer from the customer's bank with amount and reference pre-filled | Transfers without mistakes |
| MACH | BCI's digital wallet and account | Young, mobile users |
| Pago46 / cash | The customer gets a code and pays at a shop | People without accounts |
Webpay by Transbank accepts credit, debit (Redcompra) and prepaid cards, with instalments on credit. Khipu sends the customer to their bank with everything filled in and confirms the payment to the merchant — bank transfers without manual reconciliation.
How a payment gateway handles it
| Step | What happens | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create a payment | Your site requests a charge for the order | Your server, via API |
| 2. Choose a method | Card, transfer, MACH or cash; the gateway returns the link or code | Gateway → checkout |
| 3. Customer pays | In Webpay, their bank, the app or at a shop | Customer |
| 4. Confirmation | The network confirms to the gateway | Network → gateway |
| 5. Webhook | A signed webhook tells your server the order is paid | Gateway → your server |
| 6. Fulfilment | Deliver or credit a balance | Your server |
| 7. Settlement | Funds become available to withdraw | Gateway → you |
Risks and how to handle them
- Fake screenshots: deliver only on the webhook.
- Card chargebacks: keep proof of delivery and use 3-D Secure; transfers and cash have no chargebacks.
- Unpaid cash codes: set an expiry and wait for confirmation.
- Missed webhooks: use a gateway with retries and a status API; process webhooks idempotently.
Rules to know
Chile's Fintech Law (Law 21.521) covers fintech and payment-initiation services. VAT applies to many digital services sold from abroad. Online gambling rules are still being debated, so check the current status. General information, not legal or tax advice.
Checklist for choosing a gateway in Chile
- Webpay with credit, debit, prepaid and instalments.
- Payment-initiated bank transfers (Khipu-style).
- MACH for wallet users and cash if needed.
- Signed webhooks with retries and a status API, plus a sandbox.
- Clear fees and settlement to a local or foreign account or stablecoins.
- One API for several countries.
How PAYWISE handles Chile
PAYWISE is an API-first payment platform. Indonesia (QRIS) and crypto payments are live today, and Chile (Webpay, Khipu, MACH, Pago46) opens on request. You keep the same API, webhooks and dashboard as in every other market.
See the Chile page and send a request in two minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Webpay? Transbank's payment form for credit, debit and prepaid cards in Chile.
What is Khipu? A service that starts a bank transfer from the customer's bank with everything pre-filled and confirms the payment.
Are bank transfers in Chile instant? Yes, transfers between banks usually arrive in seconds, at any time.
Can a foreign company get paid in Chile? Yes, through a provider that collects locally and settles to you.
Sources: Transbank, Khipu, MACH, Pago46, CMF Chile. This article is general information, not legal or financial advice.
