What a card fee is made of, how processors price it, and the Canadian rules in force in 2026.
Every card payment your business accepts carries a cost, and in Canada that cost is built from the same few layers: interchange paid to the cardholder's bank, network or assessment fees paid to the card brand, and the processor's markup for moving the money to you. Interac debit works differently again, usually with a flat amount per transaction rather than a percentage.
The guides in this section take those layers apart, compare the four common pricing models (flat rate, interchange-plus, tiered and subscription), and explain the rules that shape your bill as of October 2026: the revised Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry in Canada in effect since 30 October 2024, the Visa and Mastercard small business interchange reductions from 19 October 2024, the conditions for adding a credit card surcharge (and why you cannot in Quebec), and how GST/HST applies to fees and equipment.
Start with the overview of merchant processing fees in Canada, then go to the guide that matches your question. Every rate in these guides is an illustrative example unless a source and date are given next to it. To turn the explanations into your own numbers, use the card fee calculator.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
What the revised Code of Conduct (in effect since 30 October 2024) gives merchants: disclosures, 30-60 day fee notices, a 70-day penalty-free exit, renewal limits and more.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
When a Canadian merchant may add a credit card surcharge, the 2.4% maximum, the cost-of-acceptance limit, notice and signage rules, debit and Quebec exceptions.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
How the four card processing pricing models work, a side-by-side worked example in dollars, and how to tell which model is the best fit for your sales mix.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
Which merchant processing charges usually carry GST/HST or QST and which are exempt financial services, how to read the tax on your statement, and input tax credits.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
How Canadian merchants pay for Interac debit, why it is usually a flat fee per transaction, when that beats credit, and what to check in a quote.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
The three layers inside every Canadian credit card fee, what drives interchange up or down, and which part of the fee a merchant can actually negotiate.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
How card processing fees are built for Canadian small businesses, from interchange and network fees to markup, Interac debit, terminals and the 2026 rules.
Fees, pricing models and 2026 rules
What Visa and Mastercard's interchange reductions from 19 October 2024 mean for eligible Canadian small businesses, the thresholds, and how to see whether you got the saving.
