New Zealand Payment Surcharges: In-Store Ban from 2026, Online Exempt
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.
This is a regulated fee — required or governed by law in the jurisdictions below.
Overview
The New Zealand government introduced the Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill in 2025; it passed first reading in September 2025. The ban applies to in-store transactions only: surcharges on EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard (debit and credit, including contactless and digital wallets) at point-of-sale terminals will be prohibited, with effect expected by May 2026. Online payments are explicitly excluded from the ban, and the legislation includes regulation-making powers that could extend the ban to online in the future. Until the ban is in force, and for online transactions thereafter, merchants may add payment method surcharges with clear disclosure, subject to card network rules.
Fee schedule by jurisdiction
2 jurisdictions with active fee requirements.
| Jurisdiction | Fee |
|---|---|
| New Zealand (in-store) | Surcharges banned from May 2026 (expected) |
| New Zealand (online) | Permitted; explicitly exempt from the in-store ban |
New Zealand (in-store)
Surcharges banned from May 2026 (expected)
EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard debit and credit at POS terminals
Bill with Finance and Expenditure Committee; expected in force by May 2026.
New Zealand (online)
Permitted; explicitly exempt from the in-store ban
All payment methods for ecommerce transactions
Online surcharges may continue. Disclosure and card network rules apply.
Enforcement
Once the ban is in force, non-compliance for in-store surcharging may result in enforcement by the Commerce Commission. Online surcharges remain subject to general consumer law and card network rules.
Official sources
Related guides
Step-by-step guides for charging new zealand payment method surcharges on Shopify.
How to Add a Credit Card Surcharge on Shopify
Learn how to add credit card surcharges on Shopify. Understand payment rules, stay compliant, and recover transaction fees with an app.
How to charge a credit card payment method fee with Magical Fees
For Shopify Plus (Plus plan)This feature is fully supported for merchants on Shopify Plus using the Plus plan. In the app admin, click Create Fee.
Shopify compliance
This fee is conditional — legality varies by jurisdiction. Merchants must verify whether their state or region permits this fee before enabling it. Shopify requires clear disclosure of any additional charges at checkout.
This information is maintained by the Magical Apps team and reviewed annually. Always consult official government sources for the most current requirements.
Quick facts
- Regulation
- Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Act
- Country
- New Zealand
- Jurisdictions
- 2
- Category
- Regulatory Surcharges
Explore New Zealand Payment Method Surcharges in practice
See how to automate this fee on Shopify and browse other regulations in this category.
Related use cases
Set up with Magical Fees on Shopify.
More regulatory surcharges
Other regulations in this category.
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.
View fee schedule →CanadaCanadian 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.
View fee schedule →GermanyGermany 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.
View fee schedule →SpainSpain 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.
View fee schedule →European UnionEU 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.
View fee schedule →FranceFrance 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.
View fee schedule →Ready to get started?
Install Magical Fees & Tariffs on Shopify and see the difference today.
Install Magical Fees & Tariffs on Shopify