Credit-Card Surcharge Signage Requirements (2026): What You Must Post
Surcharging requires signage at the point of entry and at the point of sale, plus a receipt line. Sample wording and the consequences of missing signs.
Last verified: 2026-08 · Educational reference, not legal advice
The disclosure must happen before the customer decides to pay — at the door and at the register — and again on the receipt as a separate line.
Where signs must appear
| Location | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Store entrance / point of entry | Customer sees the surcharge before entering |
| Point of sale / checkout | Customer sees the fee before paying |
| Receipt | Surcharge shown as its own line item |
Sample wording
A typical entry/checkout notice reads: "NOTICE: A surcharge of up to 3% will be applied to your credit-card purchase. The surcharge is not greater than our cost of accepting credit cards." Adjust the percentage to your actual cap. The receipt line should read something like "Credit-card surcharge (3%): $X.XX" as a distinct item.
Online sellers meet the "before the transaction" requirement by disclosing the surcharge before the payment step in checkout. In-person sellers meet it with the two physical signs plus the receipt line.
Setup checklist
- Post the surcharge notice at the entrance (point of entry).
- Post the same notice at each checkout / POS.
- Print the surcharge as a separate receipt line.
- Disclose before payment online (pre-payment step).
- Keep the wording consistent across all locations.
See the receipt-line rule too.Receipt requirements →
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Surcharging requires disclosure at the point of entry (store entrance) and at the point of sale (checkout), plus a separate receipt line.
A clear notice that a surcharge of up to your cap (e.g., 3%) applies to credit-card purchases and is no greater than your cost of acceptance. Match the wording across signs and receipt.
No — online sellers disclose the surcharge before the payment step in checkout and show it as a separate line on the confirmation.
Educational content, not legal advice. Cashbizly is an independent educational resource. Nothing here is personalized legal advice and it does not replace a licensed attorney or your state’s Attorney General.
Our state-by-state status reflects the consensus of published 2025–2026 compliance guides (card-network rules, LawPay, Stax, NCSL) as of the “last verified” date on each page. Surcharge law changes frequently and is actively litigated — always confirm current figures with your state Attorney General or a professional. Read our full disclaimer.