State rules map
What your state allows, in plain words.
Card-brand rules apply everywhere. On top of them, a handful of states ban surcharging, cap it, or set their own notice rules. Tap a state.
Everywhere
The card-brand rules every state starts from.
Surcharging
- Credit cards only. Never debit or prepaid.
- Up to 3% on Visa, and never more than your cost.
- 30 days' written notice to your processor; Mastercard registration.
- Entrance sign (32-point) and register sign (16-point).
- Its own line on the receipt; refunded with the sale.
Cash discount and dual pricing
- Protected by federal law; networks cannot block cash discounts.
- The discount comes off the posted price.
- Offered to every customer and clearly disclosed.
- Dual pricing shows both prices per item, not a fee at the end.
- No added card-fee line on receipts.
Every state
The full table.
| State | Surcharging | Cash discount | Dual pricing | What to know |
|---|
This is a summary, not legal advice. Laws change: Oklahoma started allowing surcharges in November 2025, Louisiana banned debit surcharges in August 2026, and the Visa and Mastercard merchant settlement could change surcharge limits after its November 16, 2026 hearing. We re-check before every store goes live. For a decision that matters, ask your attorney.
Sources we checked
Visa Core Rules (April 2026) and Visa's US merchant surcharge Q&A; Mastercard merchant surcharge rules; American Express Merchant Operating Guide (April 2026); 15 U.S.C. 1693o-2 and 1666f; Connecticut PA 22-104; Maine 9-A §8-509; Massachusetts c.140D §28A; C.R.S. 5-2-212; New York GBL §518; New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs surcharge FAQ (March 2026); California AG hidden-fees guidance; Oklahoma's 2025 surcharge law; Louisiana Act 751 (2026); Kansas HB 2247 (2024); NFIB surcharging guide (July 2025); First Circuit ruling on Puerto Rico (2025).
Selling in more than one state?
We set each location up for its own state, and send each one its own signs.