Regulatory Surcharges
Government-mandated surcharges and delivery fees imposed at the state, provincial, or municipal level, including retail delivery fees and single-use bag charges.
17 Regulatory Surcharges regulations
Australian Payment Method Surcharges
Australia allows payment method surcharges but caps them at the merchant's actual cost of accepting that payment type. The ban on excessive surcharges applies to Visa, Mastercard, and EFTPOS; American Express, PayPal, and BPAY are not regulated. The ACCC enforces compliance.
Canadian Payment Method Surcharges
In Canada there is no federal ban on payment method surcharges. Merchants commonly add surcharges for credit card, PayPal, Klarna, and other alternative payment methods with clear disclosure. Card network and payment provider rules apply.
EU VAT for E-Commerce (OSS and IOSS)
Reference for EU VAT rules for e-commerce: the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for distance sales within the EU and the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) for low-value imports (consignment value ≤ €150). Non-EU sellers must register and charge VAT; merchants often display it as a separate line at checkout.
France Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in France cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by French consumer law.
Germany Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in Germany cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by German consumer law.
Italy Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in Italy cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by Italian consumer law.
Netherlands Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in the Netherlands cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by Dutch consumer law.
New Zealand Payment Method Surcharges
New Zealand is introducing a ban on payment surcharges for in-store transactions, expected in effect by May 2026. Online payment surcharges are explicitly excluded from the ban, so ecommerce merchants may continue to add surcharges for card and other payment methods when selling online.
Spain Payment Surcharge Rules
Under EU PSD2 and the Interchange Fee Regulation, merchants in Spain cannot add surcharges on card-based payments (debit and credit cards). Surcharges on PayPal, Klarna, and other payment methods not covered by the card surcharge ban are not prohibited at EU level; merchants may add them with clear disclosure where permitted by Spanish consumer law.
U.S. Auto Parts Core Charges
Reference for U.S. core charge practices and state-by-state sales tax treatment for refundable deposits on auto parts including batteries, alternators, starters, engine blocks, and transmissions.
U.S. Credit Card Surcharge Laws
A reference for U.S. state laws governing whether merchants may add a surcharge when customers pay by credit card. Most states allow surcharges with disclosure requirements, but a few restrict or prohibit the practice.
U.S. FTC Junk Fee Rule and Fee Transparency
Reference for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's rule on unfair or deceptive fees ("junk fees"). Sellers must disclose the total price upfront and cannot mislead consumers with hidden or surprise fees; optional fees require clear disclosure before they are added.
U.S. Propane Tank Exchange Deposits
Reference for U.S. propane tank exchange deposit programs, including industry-standard practices for refundable tank deposits and exchange pricing from major providers like Blue Rhino and AmeriGas.
U.S. Retail Delivery Fees
A reference for U.S. state retail delivery fees imposed on deliveries of taxable tangible personal property. Colorado and Minnesota currently enforce per-delivery fees, with other states considering similar legislation.
U.S. State and City Single-Use Bag Fees and Bans
Reference for U.S. state and city-level single-use bag fees, plastic bag bans, and paper bag surcharges. Programs range from outright bans with mandatory paper bag fees to voluntary retailer programs.
U.S. State Junk Fee and Surcharge Disclosure Laws
Reference for state laws that require upfront disclosure of total prices and restrict how surcharges or fees are presented. California SB 478 and similar laws require that advertised prices include mandatory fees.
UK Payment Surcharge Ban
Since 13 January 2018 it has been unlawful in the UK for retailers to charge consumers extra for paying by debit card, credit card, or other payment methods including PayPal. The ban was implemented under the Consumer Rights (Payment Surcharges) Regulations 2012 as updated by the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (PSD2). Merchants cannot pass payment processing costs to customers via surcharges.
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