How to Add a Credit Card Surcharge on Shopify

Quick Answer

Shopify doesn’t have a built-in way to add credit card surcharges or processing fees based on payment method. However, you can apply a credit card surcharge automatically at checkout using an app like Magical Fees.

Detailed Answer

Shopify does not have a built-in way to add credit card processing fees to customer orders. The best way to do this is with Magical Product Fees, which allows merchants to apply fixed or percentage-based surcharges automatically at checkout.

Some merchants will try workarounds like raising product prices or adding fees to shipping, but these methods either make products look more expensive or only apply to shipped orders. Using an app provides the most accurate, seamless, and transparent way to apply surcharges.

Steps to Add a Credit Card Surcharge on Shopify

1. Install.
   Install the app on your Shopify store. The 14-day free trial lets you try it at no cost.
   
2. Customize.
   Create a new rule. Choose Order fee, set the % amount, and under Payment Methods, select Credit Card.
   
3. Done.
   You’re all set. Fees will now apply automatically at checkout.

When you use an app like Magical Product Fees to charge credit card surcharges, you get these key benefits:

• Automatically applies surcharges at checkout, eliminating manual adjustments.
• Offers flexibility to set fixed or percentage-based fees tailored to specific products or services.
• Clearly displays additional fees to customers during the shopping experience, fostering trust.
• Ensures that any added fees are prominently disclosed, adhering to credit card company regulations.

Credit card fees typically range from 1.5% to 3.5%, cutting into profit margins. While Shopify allows surcharges, major credit card providers require full disclosure before checkout. Magical Product Fees ensures compliance while helping merchants recover costs without affecting product pricing or shipping fees.

If you want a simple, automated, and fully compliant way to recover credit card fees, Magical Product Fees is the best solution.

What Merchants Are Saying

With over 55 five-star reviews, merchants love how easy it is to recover costs with Magical Product Fees. Store owners consistently highlight the fast, friendly support they receive when they need it most.

“I was so happy to find this app! John & Jeff were very quick to help us implement a fee that we needed on our website. They offered to implement it for us and got it all done in under an hour. Very quick and helpful service.”

-Club Paris, Canada

“Great app and amazing support! This app did exactly what I needed and when I ran into any issues, their help docs were pretty good, but more importantly, their support team was always quick to respond. They were very helpful!”

-Lover’s Rock Retreat, Canada

Merchants trust Magical Product Fees to help them recover costs quickly and keep their margins healthy.

Try Magical Product Fees Free Today.

Supporting Answers

How Do I Add Credit Card Surcharge Fees on Shopify?

Shopify does not have a built-in way to add credit card processing fees to orders. The best way to do this is by using an app like Magical Product Fees, which allows merchants to add fixed or percentage-based fees automatically.

With Magical Product Fees, you can:

• Apply fixed or percentage-based surcharges on credit card payments.
• Ensure fees are clearly displayed at checkout for full transparency.
• Set fees based on order subtotal or order total (order-total fees require the Growth plan with Shopify Plus).

Some merchants attempt workarounds, but they come with trade-offs:

• You could raise product prices, but this makes products look more expensive than competitors.
• You could add fees to shipping, but this only applies to orders that require shipping, leaving gaps.

Neither approach is as accurate, seamless, or transparent as Magical Product Fees for directly applying surcharges.

Why Add Credit Card Processing Fees on Shopify?

Merchants may choose to add surcharges to offset various costs:

• Transaction fees can range from 1.5% to 3.5%, cutting into profit margins when customers pay with credit cards.
• Administrative costs increase due to the extra work required for handling chargebacks and reconciling payments.
• Delayed fund availability from credit card payments can create cash flow challenges for businesses needing immediate access to funds.
• Lower processing fees from alternative payment methods can be encouraged by adding a credit card surcharge.

Is It Legal to Add a Credit Card Processing Fee on Shopify?

Yes, you can add credit card surcharges on Shopify in most regions as long as the fee is clearly disclosed and applied fairly. A few U.S. states (Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts) restrict surcharges for in-person retail, but these laws are generally not enforced for online stores.

Laws are constantly changing so you should check with your state on what’s required. A good rule of thumb is to keep things transparent:

1. Ask customers to consent to the fee before payment (for example, with an “Accept” button).
2. Display the fee clearly at checkout and on receipts.

Using an app like Magical Product Fees makes this simple. It automatically labels and displays the fee at checkout and it displays a pop-up that requires customers to consent to the fee. You can even use location settings to waive fees in areas where surcharges are restricted.

Card Network and Payment Provider Rules (2025 Update)

Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal all permit merchants to add credit card surcharges, but the rules differ by country. Most require that:

• The fee be clearly disclosed before payment.
• The surcharge not exceed the actual cost of accepting the card (typically 2-4%).
• The fee appear as a separate line item on receipts and invoices.

Because these policies vary internationally, it’s best to check your payment provider’s merchant agreement or Shopify Payments Terms of Service for your country before enabling surcharges.

How to Disclose Fees at Checkout

Since Shopify and credit card providers require merchants to disclose fees at checkout, it’s best to use an app that clearly separates the surcharge from the rest of the order. This helps customers understand exactly what they’re paying for and prevents confusion.

When you use an app like Magical Product Fees, you can set a title and short description that appear directly in the order summary. For example:

Credit Card Processing Fee.
A 3% surcharge is applied to cover credit card processing costs.

Displaying the fee like this will help you stay compliant, reduce disputes, and build customer trust, all while recovering the costs of credit card payments automatically.

Real-Life Experience

“I’ve built over 250 Shopify stores, from simple storefronts to complex builds. There is no native way to add credit card surcharges. In my expert opinion, the best way to add extra charges for credit cards is through the use of a third-party app.”

– John Speed, Shopify app expert

Key Takeaway

Shopify doesn’t natively support adding credit card processing fees. The best way to recover credit card fees on Shopify is with Magical Product Fees. It automates surcharges, ensures transparency, and keeps you compliant, all without affecting product pricing or shipping fees.

Try Magical Product Fees today to simplify compliance and protect your profit margins.

---

Magical Fees

The Magical Fees app is a fast and easy way to build, customize, and attach fees to products or entire orders.