Credit card processing in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia businesses charge HST at 14% since April 1, 2025, depend on a strong summer tourism season, and many sell seafood to buyers around the world. Halifax is the commercial centre of Atlantic Canada.
The Canada Revenue Agency lists 14% HST for Nova Scotia as of April 1, 2025.
From Annapolis Valley wineries to Halifax waterfront restaurants and pubs: Nova Scotia's business mix
Halifax holds the port, naval base, universities and a waterfront full of restaurants, pubs and shops that fill with cruise passengers in summer and autumn. Dartmouth and Bedford add suburban retail.
The South Shore, Annapolis Valley and Cape Breton run on fishing, wineries, farming and tourism, including the Cabot Trail, with many small, seasonal businesses.
Card fees in Nova Scotia, legally
Seafood sellers in Nova Scotia may add a credit-only surcharge under the national rules FCAC describes: 2.4% at most, no more than cost, advance written notice and posted disclosure. Interac Debit cannot be surcharged directly.
Province-by-province surcharge table · not legal advice
Which pricing suits Halifax waterfront restaurants and pubs?
Waterfront businesses serving cruise passengers see many US and international cards, so interchange-plus is worth comparing. Seafood exporters selling business to business should use wire, pre-authorized debit or commercial card data. Seasonal South Shore and Cape Breton businesses need pricing with no minimums.
POS for seafood sellers, Cabot Trail inns and tours and more
- Halifax waterfront restaurants and pubs
- Pay-at-table, tip adjustment and receipts with 14% HST.
- Seafood sellers
- Retail POS plus invoicing for wholesale buyers, set up around how seafood sellers in Nova Scotia sell.
- Cabot Trail inns and tours
- Online booking, deposits and seasonal staff logins, set up around how Cabot Trail inns and tours in Nova Scotia sell.
- Annapolis Valley wineries
- Tasting-room POS and club billing, set up around how Annapolis Valley wineries in Nova Scotia sell.
Go deeper: Nova Scotia by city
Send one statement. Every fee named, back, usually within 4 hours.
It is free, there is nothing to sign and nothing to cancel. We read your current merchant statement line by line, name every fee on it — including the ones buried in the fee schedule — work out your true effective rate, and send the written analysis back, usually within 4 hours. Do not want to wait? Call 1-888-705-7896 and we will read your statement with you on the call in about 5 minutes.
Towns and cities we serve in Nova Scotia
Halifax · Dartmouth · Sydney · Truro · New Glasgow · Glace Bay · Bedford · Amherst · Yarmouth · Kentville · Bridgewater · Antigonish · Wolfville · Windsor · Digby · Liverpool · Port Hawkesbury · Lower Sackville · Cole Harbour · Eastern Passage · Middleton · Berwick · Pictou · Stellarton · Westville · Springhill · Shelburne · Lunenburg · Chester · Musquodoboit Harbour · Inverness · Baddeck · North Sydney · Sydney Mines · New Waterford · Louisbourg · Port Hood · Cheticamp · Mahone Bay · Hubbards · Tantallon · Timberlea · Fall River · Elmsdale · Enfield · Shubenacadie · Stewiacke · Bible Hill · Tatamagouche · Pugwash · Oxford · Parrsboro · Advocate Harbour · Canning · Hantsport · Annapolis Royal · Bridgetown · Weymouth · Clare · Barrington · Clark's Harbour · Lockeport · Sheet Harbour · Guysborough · Canso · Mulgrave · St. Peter's · Arichat
Commercial corridors
Halifax
Spring Garden Road · Barrington Street · Argyle Street · Quinpool Road · Agricola Street · Gottingen Street · Bayers Road · Robie Street · Chebucto Road
Dartmouth
Portland Street · Alderney Drive · Main Street · Wyse Road · Tacoma Drive
Sydney
Charlotte Street · Esplanade · Prince Street · Kings Road · Welton Street
Truro
Prince Street · Inglis Place · Robie Street · Willow Street
Lunenburg
Montague Street · Lincoln Street · Pelham Street
Asked by Nova Scotia merchants
Seafood sellers in Nova Scotia may add a credit-only surcharge under the national rules FCAC describes: 2.4% at most, no more than cost, advance written notice and posted disclosure. For Halifax waterfront restaurants and pubs: Interac Debit cannot be surcharged directly.
The Canada Revenue Agency lists 14% HST for Nova Scotia as of April 1, 2025. Make sure your POS tax setting was updated.
For Cabot Trail inns and tours: Monthly minimums, annual fees and inactivity fees.
All of it, from Truro to Amherst. For Annapolis Valley wineries: Halifax has its own page here. For Annapolis Valley wineries: We do not send sales reps door to door; the whole process runs by phone and email.