Card brand rules
Visa caps credit card surcharges at 3%. The surcharge has to be disclosed before the customer pays and printed as its own line on the receipt, and Visa expects 30 days' notice before a program starts.
Debit cards
Debit and prepaid cards can't be surcharged, even when they're run as credit. That's why Hybrid charges you 1.5% + $0.25 on debit sales.
State laws
Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts prohibit surcharges. Colorado and Oklahoma cap them at the lesser of 2% or your cost, and several states, including New York and New Jersey, limit them to your cost of acceptance. California has banned a separate surcharge line since July 1, 2024.
Cash discount (Zero)
A cash discount is the usual alternative where surcharges aren't allowed. It has rules too: both prices must be clear before payment, and Connecticut treats a card price above the advertised price as a surcharge.
A summary for planning, not legal advice. State rules change; we check yours during setup.