B2B Credit Card Surcharging in 2026: What to Know

Why Is Card Acceptance More Expensive in B2B?

Business, corporate and purchasing cards generally carry higher interchange than consumer cards, and B2B invoices are large. A small percentage on a $25,000 invoice is real money. B2B buyers also like paying by card, because it gives them extra days before the cash leaves and often earns rewards. That leaves the seller to pay for both.

In the past, B2B sellers lowered that cost by sending extra transaction data with each payment. Level 2 data included tax and a customer code. Level 3 added line-item detail. Visa has now changed that system.

What Did Visa’s CEDP Change for B2B Sellers?

Visa’s Commercial Enhanced Data Program changed how B2B sellers earn lower rates on Visa commercial cards:

• April 2025: A 0.05% participation fee began on commercial transactions that include enhanced data.
• October 2025: “Product 3” rates replaced Level 3. Visa now checks that the data is accurate and complete, not just filled in.
• April 2026: Visa retired Level 2 interchange for most commercial transactions. Sending tax and a customer code alone no longer earns a lower rate.
• Mastercard: Its Level 2 and Level 3 programs were not part of this change.

What this means for surcharging: Your cost of accepting a Visa commercial card may have gone up in 2026 if you relied on Level 2. Recalculate your cost of acceptance before you set or change a surcharge. For the full program details, see our guide to Visa CEDP and Product 3.

What Surcharge Rules Apply to B2B Sales?

Card network surcharge rules don’t change because your customer is a business:

• Credit cards only. Business debit and prepaid cards can’t be surcharged.
• Never more than your cost. Visa caps surcharges at 3% and Mastercard at 4%, and your actual cost of acceptance is the real ceiling. Oklahoma caps surcharges at 2% or your cost, whichever is less. Colorado lets you use either a 2% cap or a cap equal to your actual processing cost.
• Notice first. Visa requires notice to your processor at least 30 days before you start, and Mastercard requires advance notice as well.
• Disclose before payment. In B2B, that usually means the invoice, the payment portal and the payment link, not a sign on a door. Show the surcharge amount before the buyer pays, and list it as its own line on the receipt or paid invoice.
• Refund it proportionally. If you credit or refund part of a surcharged invoice, refund the matching share of the surcharge.

Do state laws treat B2B sales differently?

Sometimes, but be careful. Many consumer pricing and “junk fee” laws, such as California’s SB 478, are aimed at sales to consumers, so they may not apply to business buyers. State surcharge bans generally are not limited that way. Surcharging is prohibited for private businesses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and Puerto Rico, Texas has a disputed ban, and several other states set caps or display rules. If you sell across state lines, check each state where your buyers are. Our state-by-state surcharge guide has the details, and a B2B seller that surcharges in many states should have counsel review the program.

What about American Express?

Many B2B buyers pay with American Express corporate cards. Amex’s merchant rules require equal treatment across the payment products you accept, including debit, while Visa and Mastercard ban debit surcharges. You can’t follow both to the letter if you surcharge Amex. Get written guidance from your processor before you decide. See 7 Surcharge Mistakes That Still Get Merchants Fined.

What Does This Look Like on a $10,000 Invoice?

Assume a Visa commercial card costs you 2.8% to accept. The numbers are illustrations, not rate quotes, and your cost depends on your card mix, data quality and pricing.

Better transaction data helps under any approach. If you qualify for Visa’s Product 3 rates, your cost of acceptance drops, and so does the most you can legally surcharge. Lower costs and a lower surcharge are both good for buyer relationships.

B2B Surcharge Checklist

• ☐  Recalculate your cost of acceptance since Visa retired Level 2 in April 2026.
• ☐  Ask your processor whether your transactions qualify for Visa Product 3 rates, and whether you’re paying the 0.05% fee without getting the lower rate.
• ☐  Confirm surcharging is allowed in every state where your buyers are located.
• ☐  Give your processor notice at least 30 days before you start.
• ☐  Show the surcharge on invoices, payment links and your portal before the buyer pays.
• ☐  Confirm business debit and prepaid cards are excluded automatically.
• ☐  Decide in writing how you will handle American Express.
• ☐  Offer ACH as an easy, lower-cost alternative, and tell key accounts before the change takes effect.

What Could Change Next?

If the pending Visa and Mastercard settlement becomes final, merchants could decline entire tiers of cards, including commercial cards, and surcharge by brand or card type, capped at 3% or cost. Posted commercial interchange rates would also be frozen for five years. A final approval hearing has been reported for November 2026, and appeals are expected. None of it is in effect yet, so don’t change your acceptance policy based on it.

Où IntelliPay s'intègre

IntelliPay supports surcharge, dual pricing and ACH programs for B2B sellers, with transparent interchange-plus pricing and no junk fees. Invoices, payment links and customer portals can show card and ACH amounts before the buyer pays.

We can’t tell you whether a surcharge is legal in every state you sell into. That’s a question for your attorney. But we’ll review your commercial card mix and data quality and show you what each approach would cost.

Questions fréquemment posées

Lecture suggérée

Sources

• NMI, Visa CEDP Explained: B2B Interchange Changes
• Versapay, Information on Visa’s Commercial Enhanced Data Program
• Payroc, What You Need to Know About Visa’s New CEDP Program (Mastercard programs unchanged)
• FIS, Guide des frais supplémentaires pour les commerçants (règle de traitement égal d'American Express)
• Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, Frais supplémentaires sur les cartes de crédit et de débit
• Oklahoma Legislature, Enrolled Senate Bill 677 (effective November 1, 2025)
• ABA Banking Journal, Le Premier Circuit juge que la loi fédérale ne préempte pas la loi de Porto Rico sur les frais supplémentaires de carte de crédit (2025)
• Payments Dive, Le tribunal approuve le règlement Visa-Mastercard (juin 2026)