Businesses located in countries with economic and political stability have problems obtaining international merchant accounts. While it is not illegal for U.S. companies to do business with companies in countries that do not have formal trade agreements with the United States, most MAPs will not offer accounts to these merchants. This is because no standards for fair business have been mutually agreed upon. Most MAPs also will decline accounts to companies in countries that have trade restrictions placed on them by the U.S. government. It is illegal for U.S. merchants to do business with companies in countries upon which the United States has placed embargoes.
MAPs try to keep abreast of international trading laws and policies.
But if a MAP cannot establish whether a country trades with the United States, it will not offer its services to a company based in that country. The rules for each country change so often and so quickly that to keep a complete list is very difficult. The countries with which MAPs will do business vary from provider to provider. Businesses should contact MAPs individually in order to determine what their specific practices are. A number of MAPs serve non-U.S. companies.