Google launched its Checkout service in the United Kingdom on Friday. The payment service launched in June 2006 and has been limited to US merchants until now.

A Google spokesperson could not comment on why the service has not yet rolled out in Canada, but said, "We are committed to making Checkout an international service. Our launch in the UK today is our first step in this internationalization. By expanding Google Checkout to the UK, we are bringing a convenient and safe shopping experience to help users search, find, and buy products and help merchants drive leads, increase conversions, and reduce their costs."

Google is offering UK merchants who offer Checkout free credit and debit card processing for all Checkout sales through the end of 2007, and buyers will receive £10 off all orders over £30.

Google Checkout UK will allow sellers to process card payments from Visa, Mastercard, Maestro/Switch, Solo, Delta and Electron. Merchants can integrate directly with the service using the Google Checkout API.

Merchants may also choose to use one of Google's partners, which include ChannelAdvisor and Marketworks as well as shopping cart providers Imano, ekmPowershop, RomanCart and e.pages. For sites without ecommerce functionality, sellers can use Google Checkout Buy Now buttons.

https://checkout.google.com/seller/what.html?hl=en-GB