Credit card processing and merchant services in Kitchener, ON
Selling online or billing monthly from Kitchener? Remote card payments follow different rules from the counter. We set up checkout, recurring billing and fraud screening that respect them.
Visa's Canadian surcharging FAQ settles one question for online sellers: convenience fees are not permitted in Canada, and service fees only in certain circumstances. If your Kitchener business sells online or bills customers every month, that's the first of a few card-not-present rules worth getting right.
What you can add in Ontario is a surcharge on Visa and Mastercard credit cards, capped at 2.4% or your cost of acceptance. Online, the FCAC says the customer must see the fee before the transaction is completed and be able to cancel without penalty, so it belongs on the checkout page. A line that first appears on the emailed receipt is too late.
Sales tax depends on where you deliver. Under CRA's place-of-supply rules, a product shipped to a customer in Ontario carries 13% HST, one shipped to Nova Scotia carries 14%, and one shipped to Alberta carries the 5% GST alone. Build your checkout to charge by delivery address, and ask your accountant how the rules treat services and digital products.
For online payments, we offer hosted checkout or gateway integration, plus fraud screening with AVS, CVV checks and velocity rules. Monthly billing runs through our virtual terminal. Pricing is interchange-plus with no long-term contract. Ask for a free statement review, or read the province-wide rules on our Ontario page.
Payment services we provide
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Common questions
Can I charge a convenience fee on online orders from Kitchener?
Not on Visa cards. Visa's Canadian surcharging FAQ says convenience fees are not permitted in Canada, and service fees only in certain circumstances. What you can do in Ontario is surcharge Visa and Mastercard credit cards, up to 2.4% or your cost of acceptance, with 30 days' notice and disclosure before the customer pays.
Where do I disclose a surcharge on my website?
Before the customer pays. The FCAC says surcharges must be disclosed before a transaction is completed and that cardholders must be able to cancel without penalty. Show the surcharge on the checkout page before the card details are submitted, and show the amount on the receipt too. Mastercard calls this disclosure at the point of interaction.
Which HST rate do I charge on orders shipped outside Ontario?
The rate for the province where the goods are delivered. CRA's place-of-supply rules give 13% HST in Ontario, 14% in Nova Scotia, 15% in the other HST provinces, and the 5% GST in provinces without HST. Provinces with their own sales tax, such as Quebec and British Columbia, have separate rules, so check with your accountant.
Can I bill customers automatically every month?
Yes. Our virtual terminal handles recurring billing, so you can charge a saved card on a schedule instead of chasing invoices. Get the customer's agreement to the schedule in writing and send a receipt for each charge. We also provide PCI compliance support, which matters once you keep card details for repeat billing.
Disclaimer: general information, not professional advice
This page is general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Rules and rates vary by place and change, so confirm them with the official source and a qualified professional before you act. Full terms are in our Terms of Service.
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