Credit card processing in New York
New York allows credit card surcharges only if the total card price is posted clearly. From Manhattan counters to upstate diners, the display rule is the part merchants most often get wrong.
New York General Business Law 518 lets businesses surcharge credit cards only if the total card price is clearly posted, and the surcharge cannot exceed what the card company charges. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance lists the state sales tax rate as 4%, with local rates added on top.
From border-town retailers to NYC restaurants and cafes: New York's business mix
New York City is a dense restaurant, retail and personal-services market, with very high card and contactless use. Long Island and Westchester add suburban retail and professional offices.
Upstate, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany combine healthcare, universities, manufacturing and state government, with Canadian shoppers crossing at Niagara. The Adirondacks, Finger Lakes wineries and the Hudson Valley depend on seasonal tourism.
Surcharges, discounts and New York
New York General Business Law 518 lets you surcharge credit cards only if you post the total credit card price clearly, or post cash and card prices side by side. The final price may not exceed the posted price, and the surcharge may not exceed what the card company charges you. Card network rules also apply.
| Status | Allowed with conditions |
|---|---|
| Key condition | Post the total credit card price including the surcharge clearly, or post cash and card prices side by side. The final price may not exceed the posted price. The surcharge may not exceed what the card company charges you. |
| Source | N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law 518 |
The state-by-state surcharge table · check current rules with counsel
Which pricing suits NYC restaurants and cafes?
Because New York requires the card price itself to be posted, many businesses find dual pricing, with both prices on the menu or tag, the cleanest way to comply. Others decide the relabeling is not worth it and focus on interchange-plus and downgrades. Upstate border shops serving Canadians should watch international card fees.
POS for upstate diners and bars, Finger Lakes wineries and more
- NYC restaurants and cafes
- Menus and POS showing card and cash prices, tip adjustment and fast tap-to-pay.
- Upstate diners and bars
- Dual-price displays, tab management and reliable batching, set up around how upstate diners and bars in New York sell.
- Finger Lakes wineries
- Tasting-room POS, wine club billing and shipping-aware inventory.
- Border-town retailers
- Clear receipts for Canadian visitors, set up around how border-town retailers in New York sell.
City-level pages
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.
New York communities
New York City · Buffalo · Rochester · Yonkers · Syracuse · Albany · New Rochelle · Mount Vernon · Schenectady · Utica · White Plains · Hempstead · Troy · Niagara Falls · Binghamton · Freeport · Valley Stream · Long Beach · Rome · Ithaca · Poughkeepsie · North Tonawanda · Jamestown · Elmira · Newburgh · Middletown · Auburn · Watertown · Glen Cove · Saratoga Springs · Kingston · Peekskill · Lockport · Plattsburgh · Cortland · Oswego · Batavia · Olean · Dunkirk · Beacon · Brooklyn · Queens · The Bronx · Staten Island · Manhattan
Commercial corridors
New York City
Fifth Avenue · Madison Avenue · Broadway · Canal Street · Bleecker Street · Bedford Avenue · Orchard Street · Columbus Avenue · Amsterdam Avenue · Steinway Street · Arthur Avenue · Atlantic Avenue · Fulton Street · Lexington Avenue · 8th Avenue · Smith Street · Court Street · Roosevelt Avenue · Jamaica Avenue · Forest Avenue
Buffalo
Elmwood Avenue · Hertel Avenue · Main Street · Chippewa Street · Allen Street
Rochester
Park Avenue · Monroe Avenue · East Avenue · South Avenue
Albany
Lark Street · Central Avenue · Pearl Street · Wolf Road
Saratoga Springs
Broadway · Phila Street · Caroline Street
Common questions in New York
New York General Business Law 518 lets you surcharge credit cards only if you post the total credit card price clearly, or post cash and card prices side by side. The final price may not exceed the posted price, and the surcharge may not exceed what the card company charges you. For NYC restaurants and cafes: Card network rules also apply.
GBL 518 requires the total credit card price to be posted, not just a percentage. Many merchants show both prices.
The state law applies statewide. City agencies may have their own enforcement guidance, so check it for NYC locations.
All of it, from Syracuse to Schenectady. Buffalo and New York City have their own pages here. For border-town retailers: Everything is handled by phone, email and video, and terminals arrive programmed and ready to plug in.