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Convenience Fees

Learn about the requirements and what you can do with Convenience Fee.

A convenience fee is a Buyer Charge that can only get passed to buyers when the seller is providing a method of payment (usually internet or over the phone) different from its standard payment channel (historically mail or in-person).

Requirements

Sellers and your integration must meet these requirements to charge Convenience Fees:

  • The fee is charged only when the seller provides buyers with a method of payment different from its standard payment channel.
  • The fee can only be charged when processing Online Payments.
  • The seller must support In-Person Payments.
  • The buyer must be aware of the fee and its purpose before making a payment.
  • After the fee gets disclosed, the buyer must have the option to cancel the transaction without any consequences.
  • The Convenience Fee amount must be the same fixed amount across all card transactions.
  • The fee must be in the total transaction amount . A separate transaction can't be created.
  • Convenience Fees can't be alongside any other buyer charges.
  • Convenience Fees can't be charged on a recurring or installment basis.

We recommend setting the convenience fee to about 3% of the seller's average transaction.

Convenience Fees with Virtual Terminal

You can charge convenience fees using the Virtual Terminal. To do so, navigate to the Virtual Terminal on the Dashboard.

Step 1: Add Buyer Fees

Convenience Fees Buyer Fees - Virtual Terminal 1

Step 2: Enter Convenience Fee Amount

Convenience Fees Buyer Fees - Virtual Terminal 2

Step 3: Confirm Convenience Fee Amount

Convenience Fees Buyer Fees - Virtual Terminal 3

After you confirm the subtotal and convenience fee amount, you can then process the payment.

When you create a Payment Link, you have the option to add a convenience fee.

Step 1: Add Buyer Fees

Convenience Fees Buyer Fees - Payment Links 1

Step 2: Enter Convenience Fees

Convenience Fees Buyer Fees - Payment Links 2

Step 3. Buyer sees convenience fee amount

Convenience Fees Buyer Fees - Payment Links 3

Convenience Fees using Finix API - Online Payments

Include the convenience fee in convenience_amount when creating a Transfer or an Authorization.

See the following for an example where a vehicle is getting paid for online instead of in-person or via check.

  • The transaction is for a $5200 car payment with a fixed Convenience Fee of $150.
  • The fee is included in tags for tracking purposes.
curl -i -X POST \
  -u USfdccsr1Z5iVbXDyYt7hjZZ:313636f3-fac2-45a7-bff7-a334b93e7bda \
  https://finix.sandbox-payments-api.com/transfers \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -H 'Finix-Version: 2022-02-01' \
  -d '{
    "additional_buyer_charges": {
      "convenience_amount": 150
    },
    "amount": 5200,
    "currency": "USD",
    "merchant": "MUmfEGv5bMpSJ9k5TFRUjkmm",
    "source": "PIkxmtueemLD6dN9ZoWGHT44",
    "tags": {
      "delivery_service_fee": 30000
    }
  }'