Surcharging credit cards is legal in most states, but debit card surcharges are prohibited nationwide. Several states ban or restrict credit card surcharges. Card brands also impose caps on the amount a merchant can surcharge. For example, Visa caps surcharging at 3% while Mastercard caps it at either 4% or the cost to accept Mastercard credit cards, whichever is lower. Lastly, you must provide advance notices and clear disclosures. Always verify state law and network rules before implementing.
