Credit Card Surcharging
Pass your credit card processing fee to the cardholder. Reduce your out-of-pocket processing costs.
Let credit card users cover the cost of their card.
Credit card surcharging means adding a line-item fee (typically between 1.5% and 3%) to transactions paid by credit card, so customers cover your processing cost instead of you. The surcharge appears as a separate line item on the receipt. Debit cards are not surcharged. With the program in place, surcharging reduces your effective credit card processing cost.
Rules vary by state and card network, and GoPayhawk confirms requirements during setup.
GoPayhawk handles card network notifications and signage, so you can focus on your business.
See If Surcharging Works for YouLower Net Cost
Your effective processing cost drops on credit card transactions when a surcharge offsets the fee.
No Surcharge on Debit Cards
Debit card transactions, including debit run as credit, are not surcharged. Your terminal is configured to handle this.
We Handle Setup
GoPayhawk handles card network notifications and provides signage templates.
Rules Vary by State
Rules vary by state and card network, and GoPayhawk confirms requirements during setup.
How a surcharging program runs
Rules vary by state and card network, and GoPayhawk confirms requirements during setup.
1. Surcharge Amount
The surcharge is a percentage that helps cover your cost of card acceptance. GoPayhawk confirms the amount for your program before go-live.
2. Debit Cards Are Not Surcharged
Your payment terminal is configured to detect debit cards, including debit cards presented and processed as credit, and suppress the surcharge automatically. Prepaid cards are excluded too. GoPayhawk sets this up before go-live.
3. Card Network Notifications
- GoPayhawk handles Visa and Mastercard notifications as part of program setup.
- We handle American Express and Discover notifications as well.
- GoPayhawk confirms the timeline during setup.
4. Disclosure & Signage
- At the store entrance: A notice tells customers that a surcharge applies to credit card transactions.
- At the point of sale: A second notice at the register or checkout area shows the surcharge amount or percentage.
- On the receipt: The surcharge appears as a separate, clearly labeled line item on the customer's receipt.
- Online: For e-commerce, the surcharge is shown on the checkout page before the customer confirms payment.
GoPayhawk provides signage templates in print-ready format at no charge.
5. Same Rate Across Card Brands
A GoPayhawk surcharging program applies the same rate across Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards.
6. State and Card Network Rules
Rules vary by state and card network, and GoPayhawk confirms requirements during setup.
This is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.
Surcharging FAQ
Customer reaction varies by industry and clientele. Many merchants find that clear, upfront disclosure (combined with the option to pay by cash or debit at no surcharge) significantly reduces friction. Customers who prefer credit cards typically understand the fee. In B2B settings especially, surcharging is broadly accepted practice.
Modern payment terminals use BIN (Bank Identification Number) lookup to identify card type in real time during authorization. GoPayhawk configures your terminal to automatically identify debit cards and suppress the surcharge before the transaction completes. You don't have to make that determination manually.
It depends on your state and the card networks, and GoPayhawk confirms requirements during setup. On an e-commerce program, the surcharge is shown on the checkout page before the customer confirms their order. Your payment gateway needs to support surcharge logic, and GoPayhawk will confirm compatibility with your existing setup.
Timing depends on the card network notifications for your program, and GoPayhawk confirms the timeline during setup. We start the notifications when you onboard, then set up your terminal, provide signage, and train your staff so you're ready to go.
Ready to Reduce Your Processing Costs?
Tell us about your business and we'll confirm whether surcharging is a fit for your state and business type, at no cost.
