Raast Payment Integration and Bank Transfers: Checkout, Confirmation and Reconciliation

What Is Raast and How Does Raast Payment Integration Work?

Raast is the State Bank of Pakistan's instant payment system. It moves money between bank accounts, and accounts at participating wallets and microfinance banks, in seconds. People can use a Raast ID, usually their mobile number linked to their bank account, instead of a long account number.

For businesses, the State Bank introduced a person-to-merchant service. In a press release dated 6 December 2023, the State Bank listed four ways shops can be paid: a unified QR code, a Raast alias like a phone number, an IBAN, or a request-to-pay sent to the buyer. It also told banks not to charge buyers for paying this way.

Raast payment integration on a website means letting customers choose Raast or bank transfer at checkout, then confirming the payment so the order can be packed.

Should You Use a Manual or Automated Set-Up?

Ask your bank, and your payment gateway if you have one, whether they offer Raast merchant acceptance for online checkout and what it costs to integrate.

How Does a Manual Raast Checkout Work?

A manual flow uses your store's built-in "bank transfer" payment method. On WooCommerce this is a standard option; on Shopify it is a manual payment method. A good flow looks like this:

1. Customer chooses Raast or bank transfer at checkout and places the order. The order is saved as "awaiting payment".
2. The thank-you page and email show your Raast ID, account title, IBAN and a QR code, plus the exact amount and order number.
3. The customer pays from their banking app, adding the order number in the payment note if the app allows.
4. The customer sends a screenshot on WhatsApp, or uploads it through a form linked to the order.
5. Your team checks the bank account, finds the matching amount and reference, and marks the order paid.
6. The customer gets a confirmation message with the expected delivery date.

Set a time limit, such as 24 hours, after which unpaid orders are cancelled and stock is released.

How Do You Reconcile Payments Without Mistakes?

Reconciliation means matching each payment in your bank account with the right order. It is where manual set-ups go wrong. Follow these steps every day:

1. Download or view the day's incoming transactions from your bank.
2. Filter your store's orders by "awaiting payment".
3. Match each payment by amount, sender name and order number.
4. Mark matched orders paid and note the bank reference in the order.
5. Message customers whose payment is short, extra or missing.
6. Keep a simple log of unmatched payments until resolved.

Use one bank account for store payments only. Mixing personal and store payments makes matching much harder.

How Do You Avoid Fake Payment Screenshots?

Fake screenshots are a known trick in Pakistani online selling. A screenshot proves nothing until the money is in your account. Protect yourself:

• never dispatch until the payment appears in your own bank app or statement
• check the amount, time and sender name, not only the transaction ID on the image
• be extra careful with high-value orders placed late at night
• train staff that "the customer is in a hurry" is never a reason to skip the check

A Worked Example: Reducing COD Returns With Raast

Illustrative example, not a real client. A home-décor store offers Rs 150 off for orders paid by Raast. Customers who pay first rarely refuse delivery, so returned parcels on those orders fall. The discount costs less than a returned parcel, which carries delivery charges both ways. Test a small discount on your own store and compare return rates by payment method. Our guide to reducing COD fake orders and returns covers other ways to do this.

What We Would Build for You

As part of our online store package, from Rs 157,500, we set up a Raast and bank transfer option with clear payment instructions, a QR code on the thank-you page and email, an "awaiting payment" order status, a WhatsApp link for payment proof and automatic cancellation of unpaid orders. Where your bank or provider offers automated Raast confirmation for online checkout, we quote the integration in the written scope. See our online store development service.

Questions to Ask Your Bank

1. Can I accept Raast merchant payments for online orders?
2. Is there an automated confirmation or API for websites?
3. What are the merchant charges, if any?
4. Can I get a dedicated account and QR code for store payments?

For the wider picture, read our payment gateway comparison and how to start an online store in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions