# Bulk Collections via SFTP

Monato supports high-volume batch charge submission through a secure SFTP file exchange. Merchants upload a CSV charge request file to the Monato SFTP server and the platform returns pre-validation and result response files to the same server.

## How It Works


```
Merchant                    Monato SFTP                 Monato Platform
   |                            |                            |
   |-- Uploads charge request ->|                            |
   |       file to /in          |                            |
   |                            |<-- Picks up file ---------|
   |                            |                            |
   |                            |-- Publishes pre-       --->|
   |                            |   validation response      |
   |                            |                            |
   |                            |-- Publishes charges    --->|
   |                            |   response file            |
   |<-- Merchant reads files ---|                            |
   |    from /out               |                            |
```

1. The merchant uploads a charge request CSV file to the `/in` folder on the Monato SFTP server.
2. The platform picks up the file, validates it, and publishes an initial pre-validation response to the `/out` folder within 5 minutes.
3. If pre-validation passes, the platform processes the charges and publishes a charges response file to `/out` the next business day.


## Capacity

The platform supports up to **50,000 charges per file**. For volumes exceeding this, split charges across multiple files.

## Processing Schedule

Charges are processed according to the platform's standard [cutoff times](/products/directdebit/content/reference/times-and-settlements). Files uploaded before 3:00 PM Mexico City time on a business day are processed the same day. Files uploaded after the cutoff or on non-business days are processed on the next business day.

## Next Steps

→ [Onboarding and upload walkthrough](/products/directdebit/content/guides/sftp/onboarding)
→ [Batch Files Column Specification](/products/directdebit/content/reference/batch-file-spec)
→ [Downloadable file templates and examples](/products/directdebit/content/resources)