Barclays ePDQ Closes March 2026: Migration Checklist & Guide

Barclays ePDQ shutdown affects all businesses using the platform for card-not-present transactions. You must independently migrate to a new payment gateway before 31 March 2026 to avoid payment disruption. This guide provides a 7-step checklist covering everything from auditing your current setup to executing your migration and monitoring performance. Start planning now to test thoroughly and switch over smoothly.

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Step 1: Understand what's changing

Barclays is retiring the entire ePDQ platform. After 31 March 2026, you won't be able to process any payments through ePDQ. This includes your online checkout, virtual terminal for phone payments, payment links sent by email or SMS, and all transaction reporting tools. Barclays will not automatically migrate your account to a new system.

You need to act now because waiting creates risks. Delaying until late February or early March 2026 means rushed decisions, inadequate testing time, and potential payment failures during your busiest periods. Migration service providers will also face high demand as the deadline approaches, leading to longer wait times and limited support availability.

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Step 2: Audit your current payment setup

Before migrating, document your current ePDQ configuration. Use this checklist to gather the information you'll need:

What to document:

☑ Integration type
☑ Payment methods accepted
☑ Monthly transaction volumes and average transaction values
☑ Saved customer payment details
☑ Website platform: Shopify, WooCommerce, or custom-built
☑ Who manages technical changes: in-house developers, agency, or yourself

What to export from ePDQ:

☑ Transaction data
☑ Monthly reconciliation reports
☑ Any recurring billing or subscription customer lists

Save these files securely. You'll lose access to ePDQ after 31 March 2026.

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Step 3: Define your payment gateway requirements

Standard e-commerce businesses need reliable payment acceptance with modern payment methods. Look for providers supporting card payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and any other methods your customers prefer.

Marketplace and platform businesses have more complex needs. You need automated split payments to divide transactions between your platform and multiple sellers. Seller onboarding capabilities with KYC verification ensure compliance whilst bringing new sellers onto your platform quickly. Escrow services hold funds until delivery confirmation or service completion, building trust between buyers and sellers.

Choose an FCA-licensed payment provider authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This ensures regulatory compliance and proper consumer protection. Verify PCI DSS Level 1 certification for the highest security standards. Confirm PSD2 compliance for Strong Customer Authentication across UK and European transactions.

Compare pricing structures carefully. Some providers charge flat-rate fees per transaction, whilst others offer volume-based pricing that decreases as your transaction volumes grow. Ryft's volume-based pricing helped Tuft reduce payment costs by 62% compared to their previous provider.

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Step 4: Choose your new payment provider

Research payment providers that match your business model. Generic payment processors like Stripe and PayPal work well for standard e-commerce. Purpose-built solutions like Ryft specialise in marketplace and platform payments with split payments, seller management, and embedded payment capabilities designed for multi-party transactions.

Request demos from two to three providers. Ask specific questions about migration support, implementation timelines, and ongoing technical assistance. Verify they offer 24/7 dedicated support to help with any payment issues that arise.

Apply for your merchant account as soon as you've selected a provider.

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Step 5: Plan your migration timeline

Create a realistic migration schedule based on your business complexity. Identify your low-traffic periods for going live. Avoid migrating during peak sales seasons, major holidays, or known high-volume periods.

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Step 6: Test before going live

Never switch your live payments without thorough testing first. Set up your new payment gateway on a test or staging website that mirrors your production site. Process multiple test transactions for every payment scenario: successful payments, declined cards, 3D Secure authentication, refunds, and failed payment retries.

Run a final test transaction 24 hours before switching your live site. Verify everything still works correctly and your team knows how to access the new gateway dashboard.

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Step 7: Execute your migration

Switch your live website to your new payment gateway during your scheduled low-traffic window.

Process one real transaction immediately after switching to verify everything works in production. Monitor your checkout closely for the first two hours. Watch for error messages, failed transactions, or customers contacting support about payment issues. Keep your technical team and payment provider support available during this window.

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Why Choose Ryft

Ryft is a leading Payment Services Provider (PSP) that specialises in marketplace payment solutions, ensuring full compliance and offering 24/7 support from humans. Using Ryft, businesses can accept payments anywhere, automate split payments, onboard sellers, set up delayed payments and recurring billing, earn commission from payment escrow, and much more. Learn more about why Ryft is a leading ePDQ replacement and how we're helping UK businesses migrate seamlessly before the March 2026 deadline.

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