Home » Credit Card Surcharge Signage – Rules, Templates & Examples   

Adding a surcharge to credit card transactions is a common way for businesses to offset processing fees. However, as a merchant, it’s essential to communicate this clearly and effectively to your customers whenever you do that.

Proper card surcharge signage ensures transparency, avoids misunderstandings, and keeps you compliant with card network rules and local regulations.

In this article, we’ll break down the key requirements for a credit card surcharge sign, provide templates and examples you can use, and share tips on how to properly word your surcharge notice.

Credit card surcharge signage requirements

Before implementing a surcharge program and placing notices at random places, it’s important to understand the specific rules set by credit card companies and any applicable local laws.

Surcharge signage requirements set by credit card companies

Credit card networks like Visa and Mastercard have clear rules about how and where surcharge notices must be displayed. These rules often include:

• Sign placement: Signs must be placed in highly visible areas, such as at the business entrance and the point of sale (POS terminal). Online merchants must display a surcharge notice on the checkout page.
• Clear and concise language: The notice must clearly state that a surcharge is being applied to credit card transactions (not debit cards). It must specify the surcharge amount or percentage being added to the transaction total. Example: “A 3% surcharge will be applied to all credit card transactions.“
• Fee disclosure: Merchants must disclose the surcharge as a separate line item on the customer’s receipt. The surcharge amount cannot exceed the actual cost of credit card processing, typically capped at 3-4%, depending on the card network.

If you need help, reach out to SecureGlobalPay for a free consultation. We deal with these kinds of things on a daily basis.

Local laws and regulations around surcharge signage

Surcharging is heavily regulated — and even banned in several U.S. states like Connecticut and Massachusetts.

When it comes to surcharge signage specifically, these regulations require basically the same three things we mentioned above — signs at the point of entrance and sale, clear language, and the disclosure of the fee.

The aim is to minimize confusion and ensure customers are aware of any additional fees before they complete their transactions. To avoid fines or legal disputes:

• Always display clear, visible notices about your surcharge policy, both in-store and online.
• Regularly review your state’s or region’s surcharge laws.
• Consult legal professionals or compliance experts to ensure you’re following all applicable regulations in your region.

Credit card surcharge sign templates and examples

There are ready-made card fee signs that can be bought online. There are templates you can download, customize, and print out. Or, you can create one from scratch by looking at the examples we are going to share below.   

Printable credit card fee sign templates

If you are looking for a card fee sign, there are a bunch of different templates available online on sites like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay. Note that they offer a mix of different signs — you will want to focus on the ones that have the notice about the surcharge.

Surcharge signage examples

Wondering what a simple, clear, and compliant surcharge sign looks like? Here are some examples.

Example #1:

Example #2:

Example #3:

How to properly word your credit card surcharge notice 

If you plan to write a surcharge notice from scratch, here are some tips to help you craft one that sets the right expectations and meets all compliance standards.

1. Clearly state the surcharge amount

Be upfront about the surcharge percentage or amount being added to transactions. Avoid vague language that could confuse customers.

• Do this: “A 3% surcharge will be applied to all credit card payments to cover processing fees.”
• Avoid this: “An extra fee may be charged for payment made with a card.”

2. Use professional and friendly language

Keep your wording polite and professional to maintain customer trust and satisfaction. Avoid overly formal or defensive language.

• Do this: “To help cover processing costs, we apply a 2% surcharge on credit card payments.”
• Avoid this: “We’re charging you an extra 3% because credit card transactions cost us more money.”

Additional design tip: Use bold, legible text with clear formatting so customers can easily read the notice.

3. Feel free to include a reason for the surcharge

Briefly explain why the surcharge is being applied. Customers are more understanding when they know the fee covers a specific cost — instead of being an excuse to raise prices and fatten profit margins. 

You can also highlight other forms of payment, such as cash or debit, that customers can opt for instead to avoid this fee.

Example: “This surcharge helps us offset the rising cost of credit card processing. To avoid this fee, we welcome cash or debit card payments.”

Lastly, before posting, you can test your surcharge notice with team members or a small group of customers. Their feedback can help ensure it’s clear, professional, and effective.

Implement no-fee processing with SecureGlobalPay

Surcharging is just one way to handle credit card fees. Programs like cash discounting and dual pricing can also help you reduce costs — and are legal in all U.S. states.

SecureGlobalPay is a payment services provider that offers businesses all-in-one payment processing solutions, regardless of their industry. This includes:

• A retail or high-risk merchant account
• FREE POS hardware that supports surcharging and other no-fee processing methods
• Fair and transparent pricing
• No long-term contracts or closure fees
• High security and encryption standards, ensuring all transactions comply with the applicable laws and card brand rules
• Seasoned account experts who will guide you every step of the way

Courtesy of our advanced payment terminals and software that seamlessly integrate into your checkout process, implementing a merchant surcharge program has never been easier.

Take the first step by reaching out to partners@secureglobalpay.net or filling out our online application form: