The headline rate is only a starting point
Public pricing is only a first filter. Actual pricing changes with country, industry, volume, settlement currency, integration method and contract terms. Confirm against the provider's official pricing page or a written quote before you go live. A published '2.9% plus 30 cents' card rate tells you almost nothing about your true cost once FX spreads, payout fees, and dispute charges are included. Always ask for a written quote based on your real average ticket, monthly volume, and target countries, then compare effective cost per cleared transaction across providers.
- Get a written quote tied to your volume, industry, and currencies.
- Compare effective cost per cleared transaction, not the ad rate.
- Public pricing is only a first filter; real terms come from a quote.
- Different countries and methods price very differently.
Per-transaction and fixed fees
Most PSPs charge a percentage plus a fixed fee per successful transaction. The fixed fee hits low-ticket sales hardest, so if you sell items under a few dollars, that flat 30 cents matters. Some methods, like cash vouchers or bank transfers, carry their own per-use fee. Ask whether the rate differs by payment method and by card type (domestic vs international, debit vs credit). International cards are usually priced higher, and if your customers pay with foreign cards through a cross-border flow, your rate rises accordingly.
- Percentage plus fixed fee is standard; fixed fees hurt small tickets.
- Rates vary by method, card type, and domestic vs international.
- Cash and bank methods may carry separate per-use fees.
- Ask for the full method-by-method fee table.
Foreign-exchange margins and conversion
FX is where many merchants lose the most without noticing. When a payment is taken in one currency and paid to you in another, the provider applies an exchange rate that includes a margin on top of the mid-market rate. That margin might be 1% to 3% or more, and it is rarely shown as a line item you would feel. Ask for the exact FX margin, whether conversion is mandatory, and whether you can hold a balance in the original currency. Even a one-point difference compounds across thousands of transactions and can dwarf the card-rate saving you negotiated.
- FX margin is often 1% to 3% and rarely shown clearly.
- Ask the exact margin and whether conversion is mandatory.
- Holding the original currency avoids forced conversion.
- Small FX differences compound across high volume.
Payout, refund, and chargeback fees
Getting paid and handling problems also costs money. Payout fees are charged when funds are sent to your bank, especially for instant or cross-border payouts. Refund handling may be free or may still charge the original fixed fee. Chargeback or dispute fees apply when a customer contests a card payment, and they are charged whether you win or lose. Some providers add monthly platform fees, minimum monthly commitments, or penalties if you fall below a volume threshold. Map every fee across the full life of a transaction, including failures and reversals.
- Payout fees apply to sending funds to your bank.
- Refunds may still cost the original fixed fee.
- Chargeback fees apply whether you win or lose the dispute.
- Watch for monthly fees and minimum-volume penalties.
Contract terms and lock-in
Fees are only half the story; terms decide how hard it is to leave. Ask about contract length, notice period, and whether rates are fixed or can change with volume bands. Some providers auto-escalate pricing or apply early-termination fees. Clarify who owns your transaction data and whether you can export history. A slightly higher rate with a month-to-month contract is often safer than a low rate locked in for two years, especially in a new market where you are still learning what you actually need.
- Ask contract length, notice period, and auto-escalation.
- Check for early-termination and minimum-term penalties.
- Confirm you own and can export your transaction data.
- Prefer flexibility in a new, unproven market.
Questions merchants ask
Why is the rate on the website not what I will pay?
Published rates are a starting point and usually cover only standard domestic cards. Your real cost depends on country, industry, volume, settlement currency, method mix, and FX margins. Public pricing is only a first filter, and actual pricing changes with all of those factors, so always confirm against the provider's official pricing page or a written quote before you go live.
Which hidden fee hurts merchants most?
For cross-border sellers, the FX margin is usually the biggest silent cost. A 1% to 3% spread on every conversion, applied across all sales, often exceeds the card processing fee difference you spent time negotiating. Payout and chargeback fees also add up, so always model total cost per cleared transaction, not just the headline rate.
Should I negotiate before signing?
Yes, especially if you have real or projected volume. Many providers offer custom or interchange-plus pricing for higher volume, and you can often improve payout terms, FX margins, or dispute handling. Bring a written quote from a competitor and ask for a match. Even small merchants can ask for waived setup or monthly fees when committing to a longer relationship.