The first time you buy something on Steam, the checkout page can raise a few questions. Should you use a credit card or PayPal? What about the prepaid Wallet cards sold in stores? Will your bank add extra fees? This guide is written with players in Taiwan in mind, but most of it applies anywhere. It is especially useful for new Steam buyers and for parents whose kids want to buy their own games.
You will learn how the common payment methods work and their trade-offs, the basic rules of the Steam Wallet, why foreign transaction fees sometimes appear, and the security issues people run into most often. Steam's payment options vary by region and change over time, so the methods actually available to you are the ones shown on the Steam checkout page.
Prices and Checkout Basics
Steam shows prices in the currency of your account's region. For Taiwan, that means New Taiwan Dollars (NTD). At checkout you can pay for the order directly with a payment method, or use funds you have already added to your Steam Wallet.
Back in the DOS and boxed-CD days, buying a game usually meant handing cash over a shop counter. Digital distribution changed that and brought many more ways to pay, each with situations where it fits best.
Comparing the Common Options
Credit Cards
- How it works: enter your card details at checkout to pay for the order, or use the card to add funds to your Wallet.
- Pros: fast and simple. Cards from most major international networks are accepted; check the checkout page for the supported types.
- Watch for: possible foreign transaction fees (explained below). If you save card details on your account, account security matters even more.
- Best for: adults who already have a credit card and buy on Steam regularly.
Debit Cards
- How it works: debit cards with an international network logo work much like credit cards, but the money comes straight out of your bank account.
- Pros: you can only spend what you have, which helps with budgeting. Younger players without credit cards can use them.
- Watch for: foreign transaction fees may apply here too, and the card may need online or international purchases enabled.
- Best for: players who want to control spending or do not have a credit card.
PayPal
- How it works: choose PayPal at checkout, confirm the payment on PayPal's page, and PayPal charges your linked card or balance.
- Pros: Steam never sees your card number directly, and the flow is familiar if you already use PayPal.
- Watch for: your card is still being charged behind the scenes, and fees or currency handling may differ from paying by card directly. Check PayPal's and your bank's terms.
- Best for: players who already have PayPal and prefer not to store card details on multiple sites.
Steam Wallet Cards and Digital Codes
- How it works: buy a fixed-value Steam Wallet card or digital code, redeem it in the Steam client or website, and the amount goes into your Wallet. In Taiwan, some convenience stores and retail outlets sell these, and you can pay in cash.
- Pros: no card needed, you set your budget up front, and they make easy gifts.
- Watch for: Wallet funds generally cannot be withdrawn as cash or transferred to another person. Buy only from legitimate retailers and keep the code private.
- Best for: students, players who prefer not to use cards online, and gift-givers.
Our Wallet and gift card guide (Steam Wallet and Gift Cards) covers redemption in more detail.
Why Foreign Transaction Fees Appear
Many players notice a small extra charge on their card statement after buying a game priced in their local currency. This is usually a foreign transaction fee charged by the card issuer, not by Steam.
Even when the price is in your local currency, the merchant or the place the payment is processed may be overseas, and your bank may treat it as a cross-border transaction. Whether a fee applies, and how much, depends on your bank and card type, and banks can change their terms.
A sensible approach:
- Read your card issuer's fee schedule. Look for rules on overseas or cross-border transactions.
- Start small and check your statement. Make a modest first purchase and compare the billed amount and line items.
- Trust your actual statement. Do not rely on numbers quoted online. Terms differ between banks and card types.
- Consider alternatives. If the fee bothers you, compare the total cost of other methods such as Wallet cards.
Steam Wallet Basics
- What it covers: Wallet funds can buy games, software and DLC, and can be used in the Community Market. Check Steam's official support pages for the current rules.
- No withdrawals: Wallet funds generally cannot be moved back to a bank account or cashed out.
- Currency and region: your Wallet currency is tied to your account region, and Wallet cards from another region may not redeem or may be restricted. Check Steam's official support pages for the current rules.
- Balance limit: Steam caps how much a Wallet can hold. See the official support pages for the exact limit.
- Where refunds go: refunds can usually go back to the original payment method or to your Wallet, but some methods only allow Wallet refunds, so read the options when you apply.
Things to Watch Out For
- A stranger asking you to buy Wallet cards is almost always a scam. Common setups include fake support agents, a "friend" asking for money, or claims that your account is frozen until you pay. Legitimate organizations do not ask for payment in game cards. See our scam guide (Common Steam Scams Explained).
- Enter payment details only on Steam's official website or client. Never type card numbers or login details into a link sent in a chat message.
- Protect your account. If payment details are saved, enable the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator. Our account security guide (Steam Account Security) walks through the settings.
- Spending by minors. Parents may prefer giving kids Wallet cards with a set budget rather than saving a credit card on the account.
- Keep records. Your Steam account keeps a purchase history. If there is a dispute, contact Steam Support first, then your bank if needed.
Choosing a Method
- You have a credit card and value convenience: pay by card, and learn your bank's foreign transaction rules.
- You want to control spending: use a debit card, or top up a fixed amount with Wallet cards.
- You do not want your card number on many sites: use PayPal.
- You have no card or prefer cash: buy a Wallet card or code from a legitimate retailer.
- You are buying a gift: a Wallet card or Steam's built-in gifting both work.
FAQ
Q: The price is in my local currency. Why does my bank charge a fee?
The transaction may be processed overseas, so your bank may treat it as foreign. Whether a fee applies and how much depends on your bank's terms and your actual statement.
Q: Can a card bought at a convenience store be used on Steam?
If it is a Steam Wallet card or code, yes: redeem it and the funds go into your Wallet. Make sure it is a Steam product, not credit for another platform, and redeem it only through Steam's official interface.
Q: Can I move Wallet funds back to my bank?
Generally no. Wallet funds are meant for spending on Steam, so only add what you plan to use.
Q: Is PayPal cheaper than paying by card?
Not necessarily. PayPal still charges your linked card or balance, and fees or currency handling may differ. Compare the amounts on your statements.
Q: The payment method I want is not shown at checkout. What now?
Steam's payment options vary by region, account status and time. The checkout page is the authority. If you need help, contact Steam Support through the official site.