From 1 October 2026, card payment surcharges will no longer apply, meaning customers will pay the same price regardless of whether they choose to pay by debit card, credit card, or cash.

The change aims to simplify transactions and provide greater transparency for consumers by removing unexpected fees at the checkout. Businesses will need to adjust their pricing and payment systems ahead of the transition to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

For customers, this means:

• No additional surcharge on card payments.
• Greater certainty about the total cost of purchases.
• Easier comparison of prices between businesses.

For businesses, now is the time to:

• Review pricing structures and payment processes.
• Update point-of-sale systems and websites.
• Remove any surcharge notices displayed in-store or online.