Barclaycard has confirmed that it will close its ePDQ (Smartpay Checkout) payment gateway on 31 March 2026, impacting thousands of UK businesses that rely on the platform for e-commerce payments, virtual terminals, and MOTO (Mail Order / Telephone Order) transactions.
Merchants currently using Barclaycard ePDQ will need to migrate to an alternative payment gateway before this deadline to avoid disruption to their ability to accept card payments online and over the phone.
Why Is Barclaycard Closing the ePDQ Payment Gateway?
Barclaycard has stated that the decision to retire ePDQ is due to a third-party technology provider ending support for the platform. Without continued supplier support, Barclaycard will no longer be able to operate or maintain the gateway beyond March 2026.
This move reflects a wider trend across the payments industry, where legacy payment gateways are being phased outin favour of more modern, API-based payment infrastructure that better supports security, compliance, and evolving e-commerce requirements.
What Services Will Stop When ePDQ Closes?
From 31 March 2026, all services connected to Barclaycard ePDQ will cease, including:
- E-commerce payment processing
- Virtual terminal access
- MOTO (telephone and mail order) payments
- Refund processing
- Alias Manager and linked services
After this date, merchants will no longer be able to accept online card payments or process telephone paymentsthrough the ePDQ system.
How the ePDQ Closure Affects UK Merchants
Businesses that do not migrate to a new payment provider before the closure risk:
- Inability to accept online payments
- Failed customer checkouts
- Interrupted cash flow
- Loss of MOTO payment capability
- Refund processing issues
Barclaycard has advised merchants to speak with their account managers to plan a migration, but many businesses are also reviewing independent payment gateway providers to ensure they move to a solution that is future-proof and cost-stable.
What to Look for in a Barclaycard ePDQ Replacement
When choosing an alternative to Barclaycard ePDQ, merchants should prioritise:
A payment gateway that integrates with:
- WooCommerce
- Shopify
- Magento
- Custom websites
- Other major e-commerce platforms
✔ Virtual Terminal for MOTO Payments
A secure virtual terminal that allows businesses to:
- Take card payments over the phone
- Process mail order payments
- Operate securely from any browser
✔ FCA-Compliant & Secure Infrastructure
Payment providers should operate within UK regulatory requirements and use PCI-compliant systems to protect customer data.
✔ Transparent Pricing
Merchants should be cautious of variable pricing models and unexpected fee increases following migration.
How We Support Merchants Moving Away from Barclaycard ePDQ
We help UK businesses transition away from legacy payment gateways by providing secure, FCA-regulated payment solutions designed for both e-commerce and MOTO payments.
Our Payment Solutions Include:
- Compatible with a wide range of websites and shopping carts
- Supports secure online card payments
- Designed for scalability and long-term use
Virtual Terminal for MOTO Payments
- Browser-based virtual terminal
- Suitable for telephone and mail order payments
- Secure and easy for teams to use
Price Stability
- Prices locked for the duration of your contract, offering certainty at a time when many merchants are facing industry-wide changes
We work closely with merchants to ensure a smooth migration with minimal disruption to their business operations.
When Should Merchants Start Migrating?
Although the Barclaycard ePDQ closure date is March 2026, payment gateway migrations can take time. Starting early allows businesses to:
- Test their new e-commerce checkout
- Train staff on new virtual terminals
- Avoid last-minute operational risk
- Ensure uninterrupted payment acceptance
Final Thoughts: Preparing for the Barclaycard ePDQ Shutdown
The closure of Barclaycard ePDQ is part of a broader shift in the UK payments industry away from outdated infrastructure. For merchants, this change presents an opportunity to adopt a modern, flexible payment gateway that supports both online and telephone payments while offering long-term pricing stability.
If your business is currently using Barclaycard ePDQ and needs support transitioning to a new payment solution, early planning is key.
