Processing fees
Processing fees are charges merchants pay to accept card payments, typically ranging from 1.5% to 3.5% per transaction plus a fixed amount ($0.10-$0.30). These fees cover three components: interchange fees (paid to card-issuing banks), assessment fees (paid to card networks like Visa and Mastercard), and the payment processor's markup.
Fees vary based on card type, transaction method (in-person vs. online), and pricing model. Card-present transactions with EMV chips generally cost less than e-commerce transactions. Common pricing models include flat-rate (simple percentage), interchange-plus (transparent cost breakdown), and tiered pricing (varying rates based on qualification).