Surcharging guidelines: a seamless way to manage credit card fees

Running a business is tough enough without worrying about credit card processing fees eating into your profits. That’s where surcharging comes in—offering a straightforward way to manage those fees and keep more of what you earn. At Nuvei, we provide an easy-to-use Surcharging Program that helps merchants pass the cost of credit card acceptance to their customers.

Let’s break it down: surcharging allows merchants to add a fee to credit card transactions. For example, if you’re selling a $10 item with a 3% surcharge, the customer pays $10.30. It’s a small adjustment for them, but a big win for your business.

The basics of surcharging

Surcharging is a method that many businesses use to recover their processing costs. Think of it as a way to level the playing field. Instead of absorbing credit card fees yourself, you’re passing them along to the customer, who is choosing the convenience of paying with a credit card. With us, it’s a simple process. All you need is clear signage at your location, and our system will take care of the rest, either manually or automatically adding the surcharge to your credit card terminal.

And don’t worry, we’ve got your back. We’ll guide you through the steps to stay compliant with all the necessary rules and regulations. It’s all part of our goal to make payments easier for you—so you can focus on what really matters: growing your business.

Program rules: simple and straightforward

Our Surcharging Program follows six essential rules to ensure compliance. Here’s a quick rundown:

• DBA Location: Certain states, like Connecticut and Massachusetts, prohibit surcharging. If your business operates in one of these, surcharging isn’t allowed. However, other states, such as Florida and Texas, have recently changed their stance on surcharging, so it’s now permitted. We stay on top of these updates so you don’t have to.
• Transaction Requirements: Surcharging applies to credit card transactions only. Debit card transactions—whether online or offline—are off-limits. This helps simplify things and keeps you in compliance with regulations.
• Limits: There’s a cap on surcharges. You can charge up to 3%, but not a penny more. This rate has to be consistent across all credit card types and brands.
• Flat Rate Pricing: To keep things easy, we offer flat-rate pricing. You’ll have one rate for all your credit card transactions, making billing a breeze.
• Equipment: Not every point-of-sale (POS) device supports surcharging. But don’t worry—our team will help you find the right terminal, whether it’s Dejavoo, Ingenico, Pax, or one of the others we support.
• Disclosures: Transparency is key. You’ll need to display the surcharge information at your business’s point of entry, at the register, and on sales receipts. Simple signs like “We impose a 3% surcharge on credit card transactions” do the trick.

A merchant's perspective: surcharging in action

Let’s say you own a bakery in New Orleans (just like our friend Poppy). She sells mini loaves for $1 each, and when a customer buys two, they have a choice: pay $2 in cash or $2.06 if they use a credit card. With surcharging, Poppy can keep her prices competitive for cash buyers and avoid losing money on credit card fees.

It’s a small shift that makes a big difference. Surcharging empowers merchants like Poppy to recoup costs while still offering the convenience of credit card payments. It’s about balance—and we’re here to help you find it.

Implementation: how Nuvei makes it easy

When you partner with us, surcharging is a breeze. Our platform supports surcharges on all major credit card brands—Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and more. Whether you run a brick-and-mortar shop or an online store, we’ve got you covered. You can even implement surcharging through our Nuvei Gateway e-commerce solution for card-not-present transactions.

Setting up your POS system is also quick and painless. We support a variety of terminals, including Dejavoo and Poynt. Need help? Our team will guide you through the setup process, making sure your equipment is fully compliant and ready to go.

Why surcharging? Why Nuvei?

In today’s fast-paced world, businesses need solutions that are as dynamic as they are. Surcharging helps you stay competitive, maintain healthy profit margins, and offer your customers flexibility. With Nuvei, you’re in good hands. We’re always here to help you solve problems, simplify payments, and accelerate your business—because that’s what we do best.

So, ready to stop worrying about processing fees? Join the thousands of merchants who trust Nuvei’s Surcharging Program. Let’s move your business forward, one seamless transaction at a time.