Stop Losing Money on Credit Card Processing Fees
Every credit card swipe costs you 2.5–3.5%. That's thousands of dollars a year walking out the door. Chargly lets you add a transparent surcharge at Shopify POS checkout — legally, in 47+ states. One tap. Done.
The Processing Fee Problem
Credit card processing fees are one of the biggest hidden costs in retail. Every time a customer pays with a credit card, you lose a percentage to the payment processor. On a $100 sale, that's $2.50–$3.50 gone.
2.5–3.5%
Average processing fee per transaction
$15,000+
Annual cost for a $500K revenue store
70%+
Of in-store transactions are credit cards
The good news? In 47+ US states, you're legally allowed to pass credit card processing fees to customers as a surcharge — as long as you do it transparently. That's exactly what Chargly does.
Where Are Credit Card Surcharges Legal?
Almost everywhere. Only a handful of states restrict surcharging.
✅ Surcharges Allowed (47+ States)
The vast majority of US states allow merchants to add credit card surcharges. After a 2013 court settlement, merchants gained the right to surcharge in most jurisdictions — with proper disclosure.
Including: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and more.
🚫 Restricted States
A small number of states restrict or prohibit credit card surcharges. If you operate in these states, consult with a local attorney before implementing surcharges.
Connecticut
Prohibits surcharges on in-person retail transactions
Massachusetts
Prohibits credit card surcharges
Puerto Rico
Surcharges prohibited (territory)
Laws change. Always verify current regulations in your jurisdiction.
How Chargly Works at POS
Designed for the real world. Staff tap, fee applied, customer sees it. That's it.
Staff Taps the Chargly Tile
When a customer pays by credit card, your staff taps the Chargly tile on the Shopify POS screen. One tap — takes less than a second.
Select the Fee Type
Choose the appropriate surcharge — credit card fee, Amex surcharge, Afterpay/BNPL fee, or any custom fee you've configured. Amounts are pre-set.
Fee Auto-Applied to Cart
The surcharge appears as a clear, labeled line item in the cart. The customer sees exactly what they're being charged and why. Transparent and compliant.
Why POS-First Matters
Most fee apps treat POS as an afterthought — a checkbox feature tacked onto an online-focused app. Chargly is different. It was built from the ground up for Shopify POS.
- ✓ Built for POS workflows — Chargly's interface is designed for the speed and simplicity of in-store checkout. No hunting through menus.
- ✓ One-tap operation — Staff don't need to calculate percentages or look up rates. Tap the tile, select the fee, done.
- ✓ No training headaches — New staff can use Chargly in their first shift. It's that simple.
- ✓ Customer-facing clarity — The fee shows as a clear line item — customers see it before they pay, not as a surprise on the receipt.
- ✓ Amex, BNPL, PayPal — Not just credit cards. Recover costs from American Express, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal — any payment method with higher processing fees.
POS-First
Not an afterthought — the whole point
Stop absorbing credit card fees — pass them on transparently.
Install Chargly Free
Disclosure Requirements
Credit card surcharging is legal in most states, but disclosure is mandatory. Here's what you need to do:
📢 Post Signage
Display a clear sign at the entrance and at the point of sale informing customers that a surcharge applies to credit card transactions. This is required by Visa and Mastercard.
🧾 Show on Receipt
The surcharge must appear as a separate line item on the receipt. Chargly handles this automatically — the fee is always a visible, labeled line item.
📊 Cap at 3%
Visa and Mastercard cap surcharges at 3% of the transaction amount (or the actual cost of acceptance, whichever is lower). Some states may have lower caps.
🚫 No Debit Surcharges
You cannot surcharge debit card transactions — even if they're processed as "credit." Surcharges apply only to credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I charge as a credit card surcharge?
Visa and Mastercard cap surcharges at 3% or your actual cost of acceptance (whichever is lower). Most merchants set their surcharge between 2% and 3%. With Chargly, you configure the exact amount or percentage — it's entirely up to you within the legal limits.
Will customers be upset about surcharges?
Most merchants are surprised by how well customers accept surcharges — as long as they're disclosed properly. Gas stations, restaurants, and service businesses have been doing this for years. Transparency is the key: when customers see a clearly labeled fee and understand it covers processing costs, complaints are minimal.
Do I need to notify my card processor?
Yes. Visa and Mastercard require that you notify them (through your acquirer/processor) at least 30 days before you start surcharging. Your payment processor can walk you through this — it's a standard form.
Can I surcharge Amex and BNPL payments too?
Yes! Chargly supports fees for American Express, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal, and any other payment method. Since Amex and BNPL services often carry even higher processing fees (3–6%), recovering those costs can make a significant difference to your margins.
Recover Your Processing Costs Today
Install Chargly and start recovering credit card fees at Shopify POS in minutes.
Install Chargly on Shopify
