> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stablestack.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importers

> Use StableStack to pay overseas vendors in stablecoins and settle in their local currency.

## Overview

Importers regularly need to pay foreign vendors, manufacturers, and freight providers in different currencies. Traditional wire transfers are expensive, slow, and opaque. StableStack lets importers hold stablecoins locally, then pay overseas vendors directly into their bank accounts in their preferred fiat currency — with predictable fees and real-time tracking.

***

## Core Flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Onboard your vendor as a customer">
    Register each vendor as an individual or business customer. This lets you manage payout methods per vendor and track payments per relationship.

    **For a business vendor:**

    ```http theme={null}
    POST /business-customers
    ```

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "business_name": "Shenzhen Parts Ltd",
      "email": "accounts@shenzhenparts.com",
      "country": "China",
      "phone": "+8613800138000"
    }
    ```

    **For an individual vendor:**

    ```http theme={null}
    POST /individual-customers
    ```

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "first_name": "Wei",
      "last_name": "Zhang",
      "email": "wei.zhang@example.com",
      "country": "China"
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the vendor's bank account">
    Resolve the vendor's bank account details before saving them, to catch errors before funds are sent.

    ```http theme={null}
    GET /banks/resolve?account_number=1234567890&bank_code=000004
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the vendor's bank as a payout method">
    Store the verified bank details against the vendor's customer profile for fast, repeatable payments.

    ```http theme={null}
    POST /payout/methods/banks
    ```

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "customer_id": "VENDOR_CUSTOMER_ID",
      "account_number": "1234567890",
      "bank_code": "000004",
      "bank_name": "United Bank for Africa",
      "currency": "USD",
      "country": "United States",
      "recipient_name": "Shenzhen Parts Ltd"
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get the fee estimate">
    Check the fee before initiating any payment so you can reconcile costs in your accounting system.

    ```http theme={null}
    GET /payouts/fees?currency_type=FIAT&currency=USDC&recipient_currency=USD&amount=20000
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pay the vendor">
    Send a bank withdrawal. StableStack debits your stablecoin balance and delivers the equivalent fiat to the vendor's bank.

    ```http theme={null}
    POST /payouts/banks
    ```

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "customer_id": "VENDOR_CUSTOMER_ID",
      "currency": "USDC",
      "account_number": "1234567890",
      "bank_name": "Chase Bank",
      "bank_code": "021000021",
      "amount": "20000",
      "recipient_name": "Shenzhen Parts Ltd",
      "recipient_currency": "USD",
      "recipient_country": "United States"
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Track the payment and reconcile">
    Look up the transaction by your reference ID or query all transactions for a given vendor.

    ```http theme={null}
    GET /customers/transactions/by_ref_id/{reference_id}
    GET /customers/transactions/by_customer_id/{customer_id}
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Vendor Management Pattern

Managing many vendors is straightforward with StableStack's customer model:

```
Customer (vendor profile)
├── Payout Method → Bank (USD, Chase)
├── Payout Method → Bank (EUR, Deutsche Bank)
└── Transactions  → All payments to this vendor
```

Each vendor's payment history is queryable by `customer_id`, making reconciliation and audit trails easy.

***

## Supported Payout Currencies for Importers

| Region        | Currency | Payout |
| ------------- | :------: | :----: |
| Nigeria       |    NGN   |    ✅   |
| United States |    USD   |    ✅   |
| Europe        |    EUR   |    ✅   |
| South Africa  |    ZAR   |    ✅   |
| China         |    CNY   |   Q4   |
| India         |    INR   |   Q4   |
| UAE           |    AED   |   Q4   |

***

## Key APIs Used

| Endpoint                                          | Purpose                            |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `POST /business-customers`                        | Register a business vendor         |
| `POST /individual-customers`                      | Register an individual vendor      |
| `GET /banks/resolve`                              | Verify bank account before saving  |
| `GET /banks`                                      | Look up bank codes                 |
| `POST /payout/methods/banks`                      | Save a vendor's bank account       |
| `GET /payouts/fees`                               | Check fees before paying           |
| `POST /payouts/banks`                             | Pay vendor via bank transfer       |
| `GET /customers/transactions/by_customer_id/{id}` | View all transactions for a vendor |

***

## Next Steps

* [Authentication](/authentication) — Get your API key
* [Webhook Events](/webhooks/events) — Get notified when a payment completes
* [Supported Currencies](/coverage/currencies) — Full corridor list