EPS processes 300,000+ daily transactions across 30,000+ stores in Hong Kong and Macau.
EPS is a local debit card payment method, not usable for online shopping, cross-border, or international transactions.
Same-day settlement (before 7:00 pm), reduced cash-handling risks, and competitive acquiring fees make it cost-efficient for retailers.
EPS is a designated Retail Payment System under the PSSVFO, supervised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), and follows the Code of Practice for Payment Card Scheme Operators with PIN authentication at checkout.
EPS (Electronic Payment Services) is Hong Kong’s in-store debit card payment system operated by EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited. Launched in 1985 (company founded 1984), EPS has grown into one of the city’s most established payment infrastructures.
Today, it’s accepted at 30,000+ retail locations across Hong Kong and Macau and processes over 300,000 transactions worth around HK$500 million daily (EPS-stated figures).
What Is EPS Payment and How It Works in Hong Kong
EPS is a point-of-sale (POS) debit system. It lets customers pay directly from their bank accounts by inserting their ATM card into an EPS terminal, selecting an account, and entering a PIN.
How checkout works step by step:
- Insert the EPS-enabled ATM card.
- Cashier keys in the purchase amount.
- Select savings/current account.
- Enter your PIN.
- Payment confirmed, receipt issued.
Funds are debited in real time, and merchants are generally settled the same business day (per scheme statement).
EPS terminals require a network connection (phone line or IP) to authorize and settle transactions.
Banks That Support EPS Payment in Hong Kong
EPS is supported by 20 major banks in Hong Kong, including:
- Bank of China (Hong Kong)
- Bank of Communications
- China Construction Bank (Asia)
- China Merchants Bank
- Chiyu Banking Corporation
- Chong Hing Bank
- Citibank (Hong Kong)
- China CITIC Bank International
- Dah Sing Bank
- DBS Bank (Hong Kong)
- Fubon Bank (Hong Kong)
- Hang Seng Bank
- HSBC
- ICBC (Asia)
- Nanyang Commercial Bank
- Shanghai Commercial Bank
- Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)
- Bank of East Asia
- OCBC Bank (Hong Kong)
- CMB Wing Lung Bank
Types of EPS Services Available in Hong Kong
Here are the three main services you can use under the EPS system:
1. EPS at POS (In-Store Payments)
The core EPS service, used for everyday purchases at supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, pharmacies, malls, and more.
Merchant Benefits
- Low acquiring fees
- No cash-handling risk, and
- Daily settlement.
2. EasyCash (Cash Withdrawal with Purchase)
EasyCash allows small cash withdrawals during an EPS purchase.
- Available at 2,500+ locations.
- Withdrawals in HK$100 increments, up to HK$500 per transaction.
- Must be tied to a purchase.
Flow
- The cashier adds withdrawal to your bill
- Enter PIN once
- Receipt shows purchase + cash
- The cashier hands you the cash.
3. PPS (Payment by Phone Service)
PPS is a joint service by EPS Company and HKT for paying bills remotely.
- Register your ATM card at a PPS Registration Terminal.
- Add billers via website, app, or hotline 18011.
- Pay via phone (18031), website, or app, 24/7.
- Supports 900+ merchants, including utilities, schools, and government departments.
Where to Use EPS Payment in Hong Kong
As said above, you can use EPS payment at over 30,000 retail locations across Hong Kong and Macau. It’s widely accepted at:
- Supermarkets and convenience stores
- Chain restaurants and department stores
- Pharmacies and health shops
- Hong Kong Post (PayThruPost) counters
- Government bills at post offices and designated convenience stores
Look for the EPS logo near the cashier or on the POS terminal before you pay.
EPS Fees and Limits in Hong Kong
EPS payments are free for shoppers. There are no charges when paying with EPS at in-store POS terminals in Hong Kong.
Shoppers can withdraw HK$100–500 per transaction, in HK$100 increments, but only together with a purchase.
Your issuing bank may set daily withdrawal or transaction limits, which apply on top of the EPS system rules.
EPS Payment Security Features and Regulations
EPS (Electronic Payment Services) is a designated Retail Payment System regulated under the Payment Systems and Stored Value Facilities Ordinance (PSSVFO) and supervised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
Also, EPS complies with the HKMA Code of Practice for Payment Card Scheme Operators (latest update: 6 January 2025).
Key Security and Compliance Features
- Every EPS transaction at POS terminals requires a secure PIN entry for verification.
- Payments processed before the 7:00 pm business-day cut-off are settled the same day, reducing merchant risk.
- From 20 January 2025, EPS adopted registered SMS sender IDs — #EPS, #EPSHK, #EPS_OTP, #EPS_Promo — to help users verify legitimate messages and avoid scams.
- The HKMA ensures EPS maintains system reliability, fraud monitoring, consumer protection, and incident reporting standards.
EPS does not publicly disclose technical security measures (e.g., tokenization, end-to-end encryption).
EPS vs Other Hong Kong Payment Options
| Method | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| EPS | In-store debit via ATM card + PIN | Groceries, retail counters |
| EasyCash | Cash-out HK$100–500 with purchase | Small cash without ATM |
| PPS | Bill payments by phone/web/app | Utilities, school fees, taxes |
| FPS | Bank-to-bank instant transfer | P2P, e-commerce gateways |
| Octopus | Stored-value card | Transport, convenience stores |
| Cards (Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay) | Global debit/credit schemes | Online, overseas, wider acceptance |
Final Thoughts
EPS remains a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s retail payments: stable, PIN-secured, and backed by 20 major banks.
With EasyCash and PPS, it extends beyond checkout to cover small cash needs and 24/7 bill payments.
And if you're ready to build a serious business in Hong Kong, start with the right foundation. Air Corporate helps you register your company, set up your bank account, and stay compliant—quickly, professionally, and 100% online.
FAQs
The EPS payment method is a point-of-sale debit transaction system. Customers insert their ATM card into an EPS terminal, enter their PIN, and the payment is deducted instantly from their bank account. It is used primarily for in-store purchases in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is the primary country that uses EPS payment. It is a domestic payment system operated by EPS Company (Hong Kong) Limited and is only accepted in Hong Kong and Macau.
