This is operational education, not a statement that surcharging is permitted for a specific merchant, transaction, card, or location.
Separate the questions
- Which card types and transactions are eligible under current network rules?
- How is the permitted amount calculated and capped?
- What notice, point-of-entry, checkout, and receipt disclosures apply?
- Which state or other laws affect the merchant’s locations and customers?
- How will debit and prepaid transactions be identified and handled?
- Who will monitor changes and approve updates?
Why the details matter
Mastercard’s published merchant guidance states that surcharges are subject to a cap related to the merchant’s cost of acceptance and that customer disclosures are required. It also tells merchants to account for applicable state and federal law. Those are reasons to treat configuration, disclosure language, and legal review as one coordinated program.
Opportunity signal for the demo app
When surcharge-related searches increase in a state or card-brand guidance changes, the application can recommend a location-specific content review, merchant webinar, configuration audit, or sales enablement update.
Primary sources
Source status was checked on September 5, 2026. Readers should verify current requirements with the relevant authority and qualified counsel.