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The Daily Insight Hub

Is it illegal for stores to have a card minimum?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 20, 2026

According to a 2010 ruling under the Dodd-Frank law , a business is allowed to set a credit card minimum of up to $10, as long as that same standard applies to all the credit cards accepted by that merchant.

Can merchants have a minimum on credit cards?

Any merchant may establish a minimum purchase amount of $10 or less on credit card transactions only. The minimum amounts may vary, but must not differentiate by issuer or payment card network.

How much can a retailer charge for using a credit card?

FAQs about credit card fees Merchants cannot charge more than 4% of each transaction.

How long do merchants have to charge your debit card?

Merchants usually batch-out (close and transmit sales) daily. . . at least, they should. After 24 hours, they get hit with a surcharge. After 72 hours, they get another. Authorizations also expire.

Do credit cards limit number of transactions?

It is legal to set a minimum purchase amount on credit card transactions, but it’s not legal to charge just any amount. As of 2010, credit card companies must allow their merchants to set minimums of up to $10.

Is there a minimum purchase amount for a credit card?

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 permits businesses to impose a minimum purchase amount of up to $10 for credit card use, but the minimum must be the same for all credit card issuers and payment card networks.

When did the minimum credit card purchase go into law?

It went into law in July 2010, and all those handwritten signs went from forbidden to federally blessed. The law says that merchants can set a credit card minimum purchase of up to $10, as long as they treat all cards the same. It also allows the Federal Reserve to review and increase the minimum payment amount.

Why do stores have to have minimum purchase amount?

Because it costs retailers money to accept cards, small transaction amounts can make accepting cards unprofitable, especially at places such as convenience stores and gas stations, where profit margins are paper-thin. They asked for the option to require a minimum purchase amount for credit card transactions.

Is it illegal to charge customers a credit card processing?

It is illegal for merchants to add any surcharges to credit card transactions or charge convenience fees to nontraditional payment methods in these states. Minimum purchase amounts are thresholds merchants can impose on credit card transactions. This amount must be under $10.