Guides › Faulty Goods and Refunds › Charged Extra for Paying by Card: Is It Legal?
Charged Extra for Paying by Card: Is It Legal?
Since 13 January 2018 it has been unlawful for UK businesses to charge you extra for paying with a personal debit or credit card, or with payment systems like PayPal. If you paid a surcharge, you are entitled to a refund of it. Trading Standards enforces the ban.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
The Surcharge Ban
GOV.UK
It is unlawful for retailers to charge additional fees when someone uses a particular credit or debit card, or other payment systems like PayPal, to make a purchase. Customers are entitled to a refund of any unlawful surcharge they have paid, and Trading Standards can take enforcement action. source
The Regulations
A business must not charge a consumer any fee for paying by a card that is not a commercial (business) card. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Since 2018Surcharges bannedFrom 13 January 2018
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Check your receipt or statement for the extra fee.
Step 2 of 5
Ask the business to refund the surcharge, in writing.
Step 3 of 5
Mention the 2018 card surcharge ban.
Step 4 of 5
If it refuses, report it through Citizens Advice to Trading Standards.
Step 5 of 5
For larger amounts, consider a small claim.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
The Business
Ask for the surcharge back.
Citizens Advice Consumer Service
Free advice; can pass cases to Trading Standards.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
A minimum spend for card payments is a different thing from a surcharge.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 13 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/government/news/card-surcharge-ban-means-no-more-nasty-surprises-for-shoppers Checked 13 October 2026
- legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/3110/regulation/6A Checked 13 October 2026
- citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue Checked 8 October 2026