Frequently Asked Questions

CargoPay is a freight payment platform designed specifically for the European logistics industry. It enables carriers and brokers to create structured payment requests tied to specific shipments, ensuring that settlement terms are defined and secured before the freight moves. Unlike traditional post-delivery invoicing, CargoPay integrates payment certainty directly into the operational workflow.

Traditional freight invoicing separates operations from finance: you complete the haul, send an invoice, and wait for payment, often 30 to 60 days. CargoPay integrates settlement into the operational workflow. Payment terms are defined, accepted, and in many cases secured before the goods move. This eliminates post-delivery collection risk and removes the 15–60 day cash flow gap that constrains carrier growth.

CargoPay is available to carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers operating in the European freight market. All participants must complete the verification process before accessing the platform. Both SMEs and larger operators are welcome, provided they can meet the verification requirements.

Verification ensures that all participants in the CargoPay network are legitimate businesses. This reduces counterparty risk, builds mutual trust, and creates an environment where carriers and brokers can engage with new partners without the payment uncertainty that typically accompanies unknown counterparties. In an industry where fake-carrier fraud is growing, verification is essential.

Requirements vary by company type and jurisdiction. Typically: company registration proof (certificate of incorporation, commercial register extract, VAT certificate), operational credentials (transport licence, professional competence certificate), insurance documentation (motor fleet insurance, goods in transit insurance), and representative authorization (proof of authority, ID documentation). See Required Documentation for the full details.

The typical verification timeline is 2–5 business days following receipt of all required documentation. Ensuring your documentation is complete and accurate before submission accelerates the process. Incomplete submissions will require additional rounds of document collection, extending the timeline.

Yes, there is a one-time registration fee of €300. This covers the verification process, Stripe Connect onboarding, and provides permanent access to the CargoPay network. It is paid once and never repeated, regardless of your transaction volume.

Customers can pay using credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and Buy Now Pay Later services such as Klarna. This flexibility increases the likelihood of prompt settlement while eliminating counterparty risk for the service provider.

Yes. CargoPay offers three workflows: Immediate Payment, Authorization Payment, and Deposit & Balance. You select the appropriate workflow for each individual transaction based on your assessment of the counterparty, the shipment value, and the operational complexity. See Choose Your Workflow for a detailed comparison.

The party creating the payment request (typically the carrier or service provider) selects the workflow based on their assessment of risk and operational requirements. The selected workflow is communicated to the customer as part of the payment request they receive by email.

Yes. As long as your customer has access to accepted payment methods (cards or digital wallets), they can complete a payment request regardless of their geographic location. CargoPay removes geographic barriers and enables true cross-border operations without SWIFT delays or correspondent banking fees.

No. CargoPay's 1% transaction fee applies uniformly regardless of the location of the payer or payee. There are no additional cross-border surcharges, international fees, or geographic premiums.

Transactions are processed in euros. If your customer pays using a non-euro payment method, their card issuer or payment provider handles any currency conversion at their applicable rates. This is managed entirely on the customer's side and does not affect the amount you receive.

CargoPay operates on a simple pricing model: a one-time registration fee of €300 plus 1% per completed transaction. There are no monthly fees, no minimum transaction requirements, and no hidden charges of any kind.

The transaction fee is typically borne by the party receiving the payment – the carrier or service provider. However, commercial arrangements between parties may vary, and the cost-sharing approach is a matter for individual business relationships.

The registration fee (€300, paid once) and 1% platform fee are the only CargoPay charges. Stripe processing fees are additional and charged directly by Stripe based on card type and origin.

Stripe fees depend on card type and origin:

• EEA Consumer Cards: 1.5% + €0.25
• UK & International Cards: 3.25% + €0.25
• Business Cards: 2.5–2.9% + €0.25
• Currency conversion: +2% additional

Security is the foundation of the platform. All participants undergo verification. Payment requests are sent by secure email only. Payment processing is handled through Stripe's PCI DSS Level 1 certified infrastructure. Transaction monitoring detects and prevents fraudulent activity in real time. CargoPay complies with GDPR and never stores sensitive payment credentials.

CargoPay's workflows are designed to prevent this scenario. With Immediate Payment, funds are received before shipment. With Authorization Payment, funds are secured before shipment and released only upon delivery confirmation. With Deposit & Balance, the deposit is received upfront. In all cases, the carrier's exposure is minimized before operational resources are committed.

Disputes are handled according to the terms of the selected workflow. CargoPay provides a documented record of the transaction, including the payment request, payment confirmation, and delivery confirmation where applicable. This documentation provides a clear, verifiable basis for resolution.