Legal — no state restriction
Maryland has no state statute restricting credit card surcharges. Card network rules apply: 3% practical maximum, credit cards only, disclosure required.
Maryland at a glance
| Credit card surcharge | Legal — no state restriction |
|---|---|
| Maximum surcharge | 3% (card network cap — no state cap) |
| Debit & prepaid cards | Never — prohibited nationwide by federal rules and card networks, in every state |
| Cash discount / dual pricing | Legal — permitted in all 50 states with a compliant structure |
| State rule | No state statute restricts surcharging |
| Disclosure | Card network rules: post notice at store entry and point of sale, show the surcharge as a separate line item on every receipt, and give your processor 30 days' notice before starting. |
What Maryland merchants need to know
Maryland is among the majority of states with no law limiting a merchant's ability to add a credit card surcharge. The rules that apply come entirely from the card networks, not the state capitol: the surcharge can't exceed your actual cost of acceptance (never more than 3% if you accept Visa), it applies to credit cards only — never debit or prepaid, even when a debit card is run as 'credit' — and it must be disclosed at the entrance, at the register, and on the receipt.
Maryland has no statute specifically addressing surcharges; merchants operate under card network rules and general consumer protection law. Maryland's proximity to the District of Columbia means many Maryland merchants near the DC line serve customers used to DC-area pricing norms, but no special surcharge rule applies just for being near the district.
The cash discount alternative
Wherever surcharge rules get complicated, dual pricing doesn't: posting a card price and offering a discount for cash is legal in all 50 states when it's structured correctly — the posted price must be the card price, with cash receiving a true discount. The economics match a surcharge; the compliance profile usually beats it.
Because Maryland has no surcharge-specific restriction, the choice between surcharging and a cash discount program comes down to what fits your business and customers, not legal risk — both are compliant here.
Common questions
Is it legal to charge a credit card fee in Maryland?
Can I surcharge debit cards in Maryland?
Is a cash discount program legal in Maryland?
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Surcharge rules in other states
Not legal advice. Surcharge and pricing laws change through legislation, court decisions, and enforcement positions. This page reflects our review as of July 2026 and is provided for general information. Confirm current requirements with your processor and qualified counsel before implementing any fee or dual-pricing program.