Both Mastercard and Visa are reducing their rates in August and October respectfully. Refer below for details.  

Mastercard Canada Fee Changes

On August 1, 2021, Mastercard Canada will reduce its Interchange Program Rates* as indicated below.

*Interchange is the amount that Acquirers are required to pay to Card Issuers (banks such as RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank) for each transaction. Interchange rates are set and regulated by the Payment Card Networks (Visa and Mastercard, etc.) and not the Acquirers.

NOTE:  If you are unsure of your pricing plan, refer to the How to Determine your Pricing Plan section or call our HelpDesk at 1-888-263-1938 anytime.

Merchants on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Pricing Plan

The Merchant Discount Rate is the fee structure we charge you for accepting payments by way of credit or debit cards.

Your Merchant Discount Rate remains unchanged as a result of the Interchange changes announced by Mastercard Canada.  However, you will receive the full pass-through benefit for MasterCard card not present transactions via a reduction in the Non-Qual Interchange in your merchant fees.

Message for iPlus – Interchange Plus – Priced Merchants

If you are an Interchange Plus (iPlus) priced merchant, the full changes of the Interchange rate changes announced by Mastercard Canada above will be passed through to you in the cost of the Interchange fee you pay. 

Message for Flat Rate Priced Merchants

If you are a Flat priced merchant, there is no impact to your fees as a result of the Interchange changes announced by Mastercard Canada above.

Visa Canada Fee Changes

On October 16, 2021, Visa will reduce its Interchange Program Rates* as indicated below.

*Interchange is the amount that Acquirers are required to pay to Card Issuers (banks such as RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank) for each transaction. Interchange rates are set and regulated by the Payment Card Networks (Visa and Mastercard, etc.) and not the Acquirers.

NOTE:  If you are unsure of your pricing plan, refer to the How to Determine your Pricing Plan section or call our HelpDesk at 1-888-263-1938 anytime.

Merchants on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Pricing Plan

The Merchant Discount Rate is the fee structure we charge you for accepting payments by way of credit or debit cards.

Your Merchant Discount Rate remains unchanged as a result of the Interchange changes announced by Visa Canada above.  Kindly note the Visa changes apply only to businesses eligible for one of the MCCs noted below:

For Everyday Needs—Restaurant

·         MCC 5812 – Eating places and restaurants

·         MCC 5814 – Fast food restaurants

For Everyday Needs—Other

·         MCC 4121 – Taxicabs and limousines

·         MCC 5192 – Books, periodicals, and newspapers

·         MCC 5331 – Variety stores

·         MCC 5697 – Tailors, seamstresses, mending, and alterations

·         MCC 5811 – Caterers

·         MCC 5912 – Drug stores and pharmacies

·         MCC 5942 – Book stores

·         MCC 5994 – News dealers and newsstands

·         MCC 7210 – Laundry, cleaning, and garment services

·         MCC 7211 – Laundries – Family and commercial

·         MCC 7216 – Dry cleaners

·         MCC 7230 – Beauty and barber shops

·         MCC 7251 – Shoe repair shops, shoe-shine parlors, and hat cleaning shops

·         MCC 7298 – Health and beauty spas

·         MCC 7542 – Car washes

Industry Program - Grocery and Food Retail

·         MCC 5411 – Grocery Shops and Supermarkets

·         MCC 5422 – Freezer and Locker Meat Provisioners

·         MCC 5441 – Candy, Nut, and Confectionery Stores

·         MCC 5451 – Dairy Product Stores

·         MCC 5462 – Bakeries

Message for iPlus – Interchange Plus – Priced Merchants

If you are an Interchange Plus (iPlus) priced merchant, the full changes of the Interchange rate changes announced by Visa Canada above will be passed through to you in the cost of the Interchange fee you pay. 

Message for Flat Rate Priced Merchants

If you are a Flat priced merchant, there is no impact to your fees as a result of the Interchange changes announced by Visa Canada above.

Interac® Switch Fee

As a result of the rate change announced by Interac Corp., the Interac Switch Fee is changing from $0.0096 per transaction to $0.0102 per transaction effective April 1, 2021. You are impacted only if you accept Interac Debit.  For more information, visit www.interac.ca/en/fees-explained.html.

Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis both Visa® and Mastercard® delayed changing their rates and fees until July 17, 2020 and August 1, 2020 respectively.  First Data has been working closely with both card brands to calculate retroactively how this will impact your account based your processing activity between April 18 - August 1, 2020. You will receive an email detailing any changes to your individual account if you are impacted. To view current rates, please visit our Interchange Rates page.

We previously informed you that the Visa® and Mastercard® Interchange Program rates and fees were changing on April 18, 2020 and May 1, 2020 respectively.  However, due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, both Visa and Mastercard are delaying these changes until July 17, 2020 and August 1, 2020 respectively.  We will provide further details as soon as we learn more from Visa and Mastercard on this matter. To view these rates, please visit our Interchange Rates page.

• Visa transactions processed between April 18, 2020 and July 17, 2020 are subject to the new rates, but the rate changes will be calculated retroactively and any adjustments depending on your First Data pricing structure will be applied to merchant accounts after the reconciliation takes place.
• Mastercard transaction processed between May 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 are subject to the new rates, but the rate changes will be calculated retroactively and any adjustments depending on your First Data pricing structure will be applied to merchant accounts after the reconciliation takes place.

MasterCard and Visa Interchange Rate Program Changes

First Data Canada offers the following pricing plans:

»  Merchant Discount Rate (MDR)

»  iPlus (also referred to as Cost Plus)

»  Flat Rate

To determine your pricing plan, visit the How to Determine your Pricing Plan section below.

If you are on our Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) pricing plan, please go to the Message for Merchants on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) Pricing Plan section below. If unsure, refer to your Card Acceptance Form OR to the Reference Table below OR call us at 1-888-263-1938.

If you are on the iPlus (Cost Plus) pricing plan, please go to the Message for Merchants on iPlus (Cost Plus) Pricing Plan section below. If unsure, refer to your Card Acceptance Form OR to the Reference Table below OR call us at 1-888-263-1938.

The Merchant Discount Rate is the fee structure we charge you for accepting payments by way of credit or debit cards.

Interchange is the amount that Acquirers are required to pay Card Issuers (i.e., the Bank named on the card) for each transaction. Interchange rates are set by the Payment Card Networks (i.e. Visa and MasterCard) and are determined by the card transaction mix accepted by you (i.e. Programs in the tables below) and how those cards are accepted (i.e. card present with Chip and PIN or card not present online, etc.).

Effective May 1, 2020, MasterCard is eliminating the following (current) Interchange Rate programs:

•  Merchant Volume Tier 1
•  Merchant Volume Tier 1
• Merchant Volume Tier 1
• CFIB
•  High Volume Supermarket
• Supermarket
• Independent Everyday Spend
• Petroleum
• Contactless
• Electronic
• Recurring
• Masterpass
• Emerging Segment
• Public Sector

And, MasterCard is introducing the following Interchange Rate programs:

• Card Present (EMV)
• Unsecure Card Present
•  Digital Commerce

To help you understand the changes made by MasterCard to the Interchange Rate Programs, we have noted below the current Interchange Rate Programs that will end on April 30, 2020, followed by the new Programs to take effect on May 1, 2020.

MasterCard Current Interchange Rate Programs – effective until April 30, 2020

Table – Effective until April 30, 2020

MasterCard New Interchange Rate Programs – effective starting May 1, 2020

2020 – Future Program	Core	World	World Elite	Muse
Card Present (EMV)	0.92%	1.22%	1.56%	1.65%
Unsecured Card Present	1.22%	1.52%	1.86%	1.95%
Digital Commerce	1.76%	2.00%	2.24%	2.39%
Contactless	0.87%	1.16%	1.48%	1.57%
3DS	1.50%	1.70%	1.90%	2.03%
Utilities	$0.10	$0.10$	$0.10	$0.10
Charities	0.92%	1.22%	1.56%	1.65%
Standard	2.06%	2.30%	2.54%	2.69%
Card Present Refund	(0.55%)	(0.73%)	(0.94%)	(0.99%)
Card Not Present Refund	(1.06%)	(1.20%)	(1.34%)	1.43%

1. Effective May 1, 2020, the Merchant Volume Tier 1, Merchant Volume Tier 2, Merchant Volume Tier 3, CFIB, High Volume Supermarket, Supermarket, Independent Everyday Spend, Petroleum, and Electronic Interchange Rate Programs will be replaced by the Card Present (EMV) Interchange Rate Program for all transactions processed using an EMV enabled terminal, also referred to as a CHIP enabled terminal. See above Tables for details.
2. Effective May 1, 2020, the Merchant Volume Tier 1, Merchant Volume Tier 2, Merchant Volume Tier 3, CFIB, High Volume Supermarket, Supermarket, Independent Everyday Spend, Petroleum, and Electronic Interchange Rate Programs will be replaced by the Unsecured Card Present Interchange Rate Program for all transactions processed using a non EMV enabled terminal, also referred to as a Magnetic Stripe terminal. See above Tables for details.
3. Effective May 1, 2020, the Recurring Payments Interchange Rate Program will be replaced by the Standard Interchange Rate Program. See above Tables for details.
4. Effective May 1, 2020, eCommerce transactions not authenticated using 3DS SecureCode will be eligible for the Digital Commerce Interchange Rate Program. See above Tables for details.

The following Interchange Rate Programs remain intact:

• SecureCode / 3DS
• Contactless
• Utilities
• Charities
• Standard

See above Tables for details.

Changes to the Visa Interchange Rate Programs

Changes effective April 18, 2020

Interchange Rate Programs are set by the Payment Card Networks. Effective April 18, 2020, Visa Canada will reduce some Interchange Rates which we have highlighted in yellow, and increase some Interchange Rates which we have highlighted in red, and added new programs which we have bolded.

Performance Programs are restricted to merchants identified by Visa Canada. If you are eligible, Visa will advise us accordingly and we will notify you in turn.

Industry Program – Utilities. If you are a merchant with MCC 4900 - Utilities, and impose a Service Fee that is CAD 2 or less when accepting a Visa Credit card, and CAD 1 or less when accepting a Visa Debit card, you may be eligible for this Interchange Rate program. Please contact us for further details.

Emerging Segments –Preferred. If you are a merchant with MCC 8211—Elementary and Secondary Schools; MCC 8220—Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools, and Junior Colleges; MCC 8351—Child Care Services; MCC 9311—Tax Payments; MCC 8050; and MCC 6513—Real Estate Agents and Managers—Rentals and impose a Service Fee that is 1.60% or less when accepting a Visa Credit card, you may be eligible for this Interchange program.

Furthermore, if your MCC is 6513, 9311, and 8351, in addition to the above requirements, when accepting Visa Debit, the Service Fee must be CAD $10 or less. If your MCC is 8211 or 8050, and your Service Fee for Visa Debit is CAD 20 or less, you may be eligible for this Interchange program.

Interac Switch Fee

Changes Effective on April 1, 2020

As a result of the fee change announced by Interac Corp., the Interac Switch Fee which is passed through to you is changing from $0.009 per transaction to $0.0096 per transaction effective April 1, 2020. You are impacted only if you accept Interac Debit cards.

Visa Acquirer International Service Fees also referred to as the Cross Border Assessment Fee

Changes Effective on April 18, 2020

Visa charges an assessment fee called the International Service Fee (IASF) on all transactions when a foreign issued card is used which is passed through to you. Effective April 18, 2020 Visa is increasing the International Service Fee (IASF) by 20 bps which we pass through to you as is. You are impacted only if you accept non-Canadian Visa cards.

Introduction of new Visa Non-compliance Programs

Visa Non-Chip Terminal Use Compliance Program

Changes Effective on October 1, 2020

To promote the use of EMV terminals, Visa will assess a non-compliance fine of USD $0.15 per transaction when a non-EMV enabled terminal is used effective October 1, 2021. To avoid this non-compliance fine, kindly ensure your terminal is EMV enabled.

Visa Key Entered Transaction Compliance Program

Changes Effective on October 1, 2020

All improperly flagged Card Not Present transactions will incur a non-compliance assessment of USD $0.15 per transaction effective Oct 1, 2021. To avoid this non-compliance fine, kindly ensure you are using a First Data certified payment solution properly configured to process manually entered payment card transactions. 

Visa Excess Transaction Reattempt Compliance Program

Changes Effective on August 1, 2020

Merchants must not attempt to authorize transactions that were previously declined. Failure to comply will result in a non-compliance assessment effective August 1, 2020 according to the following schedule:

• Domestic transaction = USD $0.10 per transaction
• Cross Border transaction = USD $0.15 per transaction
  
  

Visa Data Consistency Compliance Program

Changes Effective on August 1, 2020

Merchants manipulating data in an authorization reattempt will incur a non-compliance assessment effective August 1, 2020 according to the following schedule:

• Domestic transaction = USD $0.10 per transaction
• Cross Border transaction = USD $0.15 per transaction
  
  

MasterCard 3DS Authentication Fee

Changes Effective on May 1, 2020

Effective May 1, 2020, ecommerce transactions authenticated using 3DS will incur additional fees as follows:

• 3DS 1.0 transactions will increase from $0.03 to $0.05 per transaction
• 3DS 2.0 transactions will be billed 1 basis point with a maximum of USD 0.10 per transaction.

This fee only applies if you have implemented 3DS authentication capabilities for your ecommerce transactions.

Mastercard introduces the Nominal Amount Authorization Transaction Processing Excellence Program

Nominal Amount Authorization transactions are transactions for authorization with one full unit of currency (also referred to as $1.00 status checks) and subsequently reversed in an effort to validate the card status: functionality typically used by ecommerce merchants and merchants doing recurring payments. Mastercard prohibits this type of transaction to check card status and merchants are to use the Account Status Inquiry transaction type. This is a $0.00 transaction request. To discourage the continued practice of Nominal Amount Authorization transactions, Mastercard will introduce a non-compliance fine effective October 1, 2019. To avoid non-compliance fines, ensure you are using the Account Status Inquiry (ASI) transaction type for account status checks. Do not attempt Nominal Amount Authorization transactions.

Mastercard introduces the Excessive Authorization Attempts Transaction Processing Excellence Program

Account testing across the Mastercard network is disruptive to the cardholder experience, costly to all payment participants, creates reputation challenges within the industry, and, in some cases, results in significant fraud losses. As a result, Mastercard will introduce a non-compliance fine effective July 1, 2019 for all authorization attempts made on the same card within 24 hours period after receiving 20 decline responses from the issuer. To avoid non-compliance fines, do not attempt multiple authorizations on the same card following a decline response from the issuer. As a best practice, if a transaction is declined by the issuer, have the cardholder use another payment card to process the transaction. Please refer to our Payment Acceptance Guide available on https://www.firstdata.com/en_ca/customer-center/getting-started.html.

Mastercard introduces the Interchange Program for Inter-Regional Refund transactions

Mastercard Canada is introducing a new Interchange Rate program. Effective October 18, 2019, if you process a Mastercard refund transaction that involves a foreign issued card, i.e., a card that was not issued in Canada, the following Mastercard Interchange Rates will apply as follows:

• 1.00% for transactions with consumer cards
• 1.80% for transactions with commercial card
  
  

Mastercard introduces a new Preauthorization Fee

A pre-authorization is an optional card service that is supported for Mastercard cards on the Mastercard Network and is predominately used by merchants in the travel and entertainment (T&E) industry, and e-commerce environments. Effective November 1, 2019, Mastercard Canada is introducing a fee for preauthorized transactions that we will pass through to you as is. As a result, a fee of 0.05% will be charged to the amount authorized as a pre-authorized transaction with a minimum fee of $0.01 per transaction.

Mastercard changes Acquirer Assessment Fee

From time to time, the Acquirer Assessment Fee is subject to change as dictated by the Payment Card Networks whose cards you accept. The Acquirer Assessment Fee is a fee that we pass through to you as is billed by the Payment Card Networks. Effective November 1, 2019, Mastercard will apply the Acquirer Assessment Fee to refund transactions. This change only impacts you if your pricing is on a cost pass-through (iPlus) basis.

Visa Canada Changes to Emerging Segment Interchange Program

Effective Oct 18, 2019, merchants with MCC 8661 – Religious Organizations will be eligible for the Visa Canada Emerging Segment Interchange Program. Merchants classified with this MCC are religious organizations that provide worship services, religious training or study, or religious activities such as Churches, Chapels, Mosques, Synagogues, and Temples. Your merchant discount rate (if applicable) will remain unchanged and will continue to apply on all Consumer Electronic transactions. We’re happy to inform you that for all other transactions types (i.e., Infinite and Infinite Privilege) you will receive the full benefit of the rate reduction in Interchange rates noted above. If your pricing is on a cost pass-through (iPlus) basis, then you will receive the full Interchange Rate reduction for all card types.

Mastercard Cross Border Assessment Changes

Changes Effective May 1, 2019

A Cross Border transaction is a transaction that involves a foreign issued card, i.e., a US-issued Mastercard. On the July 31, 2018 notice, we had advised you that Mastercard charges the Cross Border Assessment on all Cross Border transactions that we pass through to you as is. Currently, only purchase transactions are subject to the Cross Border Assessment. Effective May 1, 2019, refund transactions will also be subject to the Cross Border Assessment.

Interchange Rate Changes

Changes Effective May 1, 2019

From time to time, Interchange rates are subject to change as dictated by the Payment Card Networks whose cards you accept. Effective May 1, 2019, Mastercard Canada is updating their Interchange rates. However, our fees to you remain unchanged. For more information about current and future Interchange Rates, visit our Interchange Rates page.

Interchange Rate Changes

Assessment Fees are paid to the Payment Card Networks (i.e., Visa and Mastercard). As of April 1, 2019, Visa Canada’s Acquirer Assessment Fee will increase from 0.0904% to 0.1017% which we pass through to you as is. Kindly refer to Pass Through Fees for additional details.

Interchange is the amount that Acquirers are required to pay Card Issuers (i.e., the Banks such as RBC, TD, BMO, Scotiabank) for each transaction. Interchange rates are set, and regulated by the Payment Card Networks (i.e. Visa and Mastercard). As of January 1, 2019, Mastercard Canada will reduce its Interchange Rates as noted below (highlighted in yellow).

Changes taking effect on Jan 1, 2019:

** N/C = No change **

Your merchant discount rate (if applicable) remains unchanged, and will continue to apply on all Core, Electronic transactions. We’re happy to inform you that for all other transactions types (i.e., World and World Elite) you will receive the full benefit of the rate reduction in Interchange rates noted above. If your pricing is on a cost pass-through basis, then you will receive the full Interchange Rate reduction for all card types.

Mastercard^® and Visa^® Fee Changes

Changes Effective on November 1, 2018 and April 1, 2019

Mastercard charges an assessment fee called the Cross Border Assessment Fee, and Visa charges an assessment fee called the International Service Fee (IASF), on all transactions acquired in Canada that involves a foreign issued card. For example, if a cardholder uses their US-issued Mastercard or Visa card to make a purchase in Canada, Mastercard and Visa will assess their respective fees for cross border transactions. Effective November 1, 2018 Mastercard is increasing their Cross Border Assessment Fee, and effective April 1, 2019 Visa is increasing their International Service Fee (IASF) which we pass through to you as is. Kindly refer to Pass Through Fees for additional details.

Interac^® Switch Fee

Changes Effective on August 7, 2018

As a result of the rate change announced by Interac Corp., the Interac Switch Fee is changing from $0.0065 per transaction to $0.009 per transaction effective August 7, 2018. You are impacted only if you accept Interac Debit.

For more information, visit www.interac.ca/en/fees-explained.html