Pay suppliers with proof, not hope

The importer's dilemma

Suppliers want payment before shipping. Buyers want goods before paying. Someone has to trust a stranger — and that's exactly where import fraud lives: goods that never ship, items that arrive different from what was ordered, and "clearing agents" who disappear with your money. Escrow sits in the middle so neither side has to trust blindly.

How it works for imports

• Agree the deal — item, quantity, price, shipping method, and the proof of shipment or delivery required.
• Fund the escrow by M-Pesa — the supplier sees the payment is real and committed, so they ship with confidence.
• Set a realistic deadline — days or weeks for sea freight; hours for local deliveries.
• Confirm and release — goods arrive or shipping documents verify, you release, the supplier is paid instantly.

Good uses

• Deposits to overseas suppliers while proforma and shipping documents are verified
• Payments to local wholesalers and distributors you haven't worked with before
• Vehicle import deposits (Japan/Dubai/UK) while shipping documents are confirmed
• Clearing, forwarding and logistics milestone payments

Exporters: protect yourself too

Sending goods to a buyer who promises to "pay on delivery" is the mirror-image scam. Ask the buyer to fund an escrow first — a funded escrow is proof of a real buyer, and release happens the moment they confirm receipt.

Know the limit

Escrow transactions support up to KSh 240,000 to the seller — ideal for deposits and milestone payments. For larger import deals, split payments into stages or contact us.