The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has reminded Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale merchants that card payment surcharges are unauthorized and must stop immediately. Merchant service fees on international Visa and Mastercard transactions must be absorbed as a business expense rather than passed directly to customers. Merchants should apply the same prices across cash, debit card, credit card and other accepted payment methods, while ensuring displayed prices match the amount charged at purchase. Customers should not pay extra solely for using a card and may report unexplained fees to their bank or the central bank. The authority and commercial banks will monitor whether merchants follow these requirements.
2026-09-18Central Bank of the Solomon Islands
Central Bank of the Solomon Islands directs merchants to stop imposing card payment surcharges
The Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has directed merchants to stop imposing unauthorized card payment surcharges and to absorb international card service fees as a business expense. Merchants must use consistent, transparent pricing across payment methods, with the central bank and commercial banks monitoring compliance.