Import PayPal Transactions into Your Accounting Software

Convert your PayPal transaction history to MT940 or CAMT.053 for import into Exact Online, Twinfield, Xero, and other accounting packages.

Why convert PayPal transactions?

PayPal is a key payment channel for many businesses — for webshop sales, international payments, and subscriptions. However, most accounting software cannot import PayPal exports directly. PayPal provides CSV or Excel files with a proprietary column structure (Gross, Fee, Net, Balance Impact) that does not match standard bank statement formats.

The solution: convert your PayPal transaction overview to MT940 or CAMT.053 with StatementBridge. This way you can import your PayPal transactions just like regular bank statements.

Download PayPal transactions

  1. Log in to paypal.com and go to Activity.
  2. Click All Transactions, then Download > Statements.
  3. Select the desired date range.
  4. Choose file type CSV (recommended) or Excel (experimental: Tab-delimited Balances).
  5. Click Create Report and download the file.

Convert PayPal CSV with StatementBridge

  1. Go to StatementBridge and upload your PayPal CSV or Excel file.
  2. StatementBridge shows a preview of your data.
  3. Map the columns:
    PayPal columnStatementBridge field
    DateTransaction date
    NetAmount
    NameCounterparty name
    SubjectDescription
    Transaction IDReference
  4. A bank account linked to PayPal is different from your PayPal balance. Use a separate PayPal ledger and the account identifier supported by your accounting package. Do not invent a bank IBAN. If the package requires a real IBAN, use its PayPal connection or another supported import format.
  5. Choose the output format: MT940 (widely supported) or CAMT.053.
  6. Click Convert and download the result.
  7. Import the file into your accounting software.

Tips for PayPal conversion

  • Use the net movement (Net) to reconcile opening and closing balances. Gross is appropriate only when every fee is included as a separate movement. Never count both Gross and Net as transactions. Keep Fee for checking costs.
  • Currency: PayPal exports may contain multiple currencies. Filter by currency first, or process each currency separately.
  • Duplicate entries: PayPal sometimes shows multiple lines per transaction (payment + fee + conversion). Check that you only import the main transactions, or filter by Type = Payment or Refund.
  • Date format: PayPal often uses DD/MM/YYYY or MM/DD/YYYY depending on your language settings. Verify this in the preview.
  • AI extraction: is your PayPal statement a PDF? Use the Enrich with AI feature for automatic recognition using credits or your own key on Pro.

Which output format to choose?

FormatSuitable for
MT940 Widely supported: among others Exact Online, Twinfield, SnelStart, AFAS, e-Boekhouden and Yuki.
CAMT.053 Recommended for Exact Online and Visma eAccounting. Contains more detail and follows the ISO 20022 standard.

Booking PayPal fees separately

PayPal charges transaction fees that you probably want to book separately. You have two options:

  • Use the net movement (Net) to reconcile opening and closing balances. Gross is appropriate only when every fee is included as a separate movement. Never count both Gross and Net as transactions. Keep Fee for checking costs.
Convert PayPal transactions

Frequently asked questions

Can I import PayPal transactions directly into my accounting software?

First check whether your accounting package supports a PayPal connection or direct CSV import. Acceptance of converted MT940 or CAMT.053 depends on the package and PayPal ledger configuration. A valid file does not guarantee import.

Should I use Gross or Net as the amount?

Use the net movement (Net) to reconcile opening and closing balances. Gross is appropriate only when every fee is included as a separate movement. Never count both Gross and Net as transactions. Keep Fee for checking costs.

Which IBAN should I use for my PayPal account?

A bank account linked to PayPal is different from your PayPal balance. Use a separate PayPal ledger and the account identifier supported by your accounting package. Do not invent a bank IBAN. If the package requires a real IBAN, use its PayPal connection or another supported import format.

How do I handle multiple currencies in my PayPal export?

PayPal exports may contain transactions in multiple currencies. Filter the CSV file by currency first (e.g. EUR only) and process each currency separately to avoid import errors.

Can I also convert a PayPal PDF?

Text PDFs are read without AI first. If that fails, for example with a scan, you can start an AI scan yourself: it costs 1 credit, without a subscription or your own key. Pro includes 10 AI scans per month; beyond that Pro pays per scan too. Pro also supports your own Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Mistral or xAI key; you then pay the provider directly. Export counts separately as a conversion. An AI scan handles up to 50 pages; check the result before import.

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