Credit card processing and merchant services in North Charleston, SC
North Charleston grew 12.5% between April 2020 and July 2025. Every business operating in the city needs a city business license first, and sales at Charleston County addresses carry 9% tax.
North Charleston had 129,245 residents on July 1, 2025, by the Census Bureau's estimate, 12.5% more than its April 2020 base of 114,887. If you're opening a business here, the city's business license comes first, because you can't open without one.
The city's ordinance requires anyone doing business inside the city limits, even in part, to pay an annual license fee and hold a business license, and a new business needs that license before it operates. You can apply online or at the One Stop Shop in City Hall. Either way, the city won't issue the license until you've sent the documents showing you comply with its zoning ordinance, building code, fire code and other codes. Build that time into your opening date.
The Department of Revenue lists local sales tax rates by county. For a North Charleston address in Charleston County, its ST-500 chart, effective May 1, 2026, puts the total at 9%: the 6% state rate plus 3 points of local taxes. Confirm the county for each address you sell from, and look for a newer chart when you open another location.
Card surcharges follow Visa and Mastercard rules here, since we haven't found a South Carolina statute on them: up to 3% on Visa credit and 4% on Mastercard credit, never above your cost, and nothing on debit or prepaid cards. On a $400 order, a 3% surcharge is $12, next to $36 in sales tax at 9%. Our South Carolina page has the sources, and our Charleston page goes deeper on the county rate.
We work with North Charleston businesses remotely, with POS terminals for the counter and mobile payments for trucks and events, all on interchange-plus pricing. Clearo says setup takes under 48 hours. A free statement review tells you what your current setup really costs.
Rules that matter in North Charleston
City business license
The City of North Charleston's business license ordinance requires every person engaged or intending to engage in a calling, business, occupation or profession within the city limits, in whole or in part, to pay an annual license fee and obtain a business license. A new business must have its license before it operates in the city.
You can apply online or at the City's One Stop Shop, but the license isn't issued until you submit the documents that establish compliance with the City's zoning ordinance, building code, fire code and other regulatory codes.
Mobile food vendor permits
Mobile food vendors need a separate Mobile Food Vendor Permit. The city's fire department says complete applications are typically reviewed within 10 business days, and qualified applicants are issued the permit as a decal.
Source: City of North Charleston Fire Department, Mobile food vendor permit application
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Common questions
Do I need a city business license to sell in North Charleston?
Yes. The city's ordinance requires anyone doing business within the city limits, even in part, to pay an annual license fee and obtain a business license, and a new business needs it before it operates. Apply online or at the One Stop Shop in City Hall; the license is issued once you've documented compliance with zoning, building, fire and other codes.
Can I start taking card payments before my North Charleston license is issued?
You can set up the account and terminals in advance, but the city says a new business must be licensed before it operates, so hold off on customer sales until the license is issued. Start the license application first, since the city won't issue it until your zoning, building and fire code paperwork is in. Clearo says setup takes under 48 hours.
What sales tax rate do I charge in North Charleston?
For an address in Charleston County, 9%: the 6% state rate plus 3% in local taxes, per the Department of Revenue's ST-500 chart effective May 1, 2026. The chart lists rates by county rather than by city, so confirm the county for each address, and check for a newer chart whenever you open a location.
What does a food truck need to operate in North Charleston?
A Mobile Food Vendor Permit along with the city business license. The fire department says complete permit applications are typically reviewed within 10 business days, and approved vendors get the permit as a decal. For the payment side, mobile payments with a card reader or tap to pay on your phone work wherever you park, and our food truck POS guide covers the hardware.
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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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