E-Commerce Credit Card Processing
Online checkout is card-not-present. CMS compares Flat Rate, Surcharge (where allowed), and Cash Discount with fraud and security in the conversation—not as surprise fees.
What usually changes what you pay
In e-commerce, ticket size, how customers pay, and debit versus credit mix can move your real cost more than a advertised “flat” plan admits. Use the points below as a checklist when you compare options.
- Online checkout costs
- Fraud and security tools
- International cards
- Hosted checkout / gateway fees
Good to know
These notes are written for business owners. They explain what CMS looks at before recommending Flat Rate, Surcharge, or Cash Discount for this industry.
- Card-not-present payments usually cost more than in-person taps—honest quotes say so.
- Fraud tools belong in the conversation up front, not as an afterthought fee.
- Online surcharge still follows state and card-brand rules; debit is never surcharged.
- CMS keeps gateway and platform picks for after you apply. Public pages focus on pricing fit.
Flat Rate · Surcharge · Cash Discount
Bundled “simple” online rates can hide gateway fees and card-not-present costs. CMS shows a comparable offer focused on Flat Rate, Surcharge, and Cash Discount you can actually compare.
- CMS Flat Rate
- CMS Surcharge Program
- CMS Cash Discount Program
Verified Stripe Terminal and Square published rates may appear as market reference when official sources confirm them. Unverified plans stay off customer cards.
Pricing only. CMS does not recommend a terminal, POS, gateway, or partner platform on this page.
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