Square lists nine separate fee lines by payment type, such as an additional 1.5% for international cards, added to the standard rate Square.
Square processing fees: the short answer
The fee structure builds on a base card rate by adding distinct line items for non-standard transactions. For example, payments made with credit or debit cards issued in a different country than the location of your Square account carry an additional 1.5% fee Square. This extra charge applies specifically when the card's issuing country does not match the geographic location of the merchant's Square account. The calculation is additive rather than a replacement of the standard processing percentage.
Other fee categories follow similar logic, where specific conditions trigger a defined surcharge or flat amount. These lines are published separately from the general card rate, allowing you to identify exactly which transaction attribute drives the cost. Understanding these discrete components helps you map each invoice payment to its corresponding fee rule without guessing how the total was derived.
Key takeaways
- Match each sale to the one fee line that fits its payment type before you calculate any deduction.
- Compare the card's issuing country with your Square account location, since that decides whether the international card line applies.
- Track flat-amount lines, such as EBT and payouts, separately from percentage-based lines.
- Note when the Bitcoin payments line changes, and review the reference table before that date.
The parts of Square's fee list by payment type
Square lists separate fee lines for specific payment types that sit alongside the standard card rate. Two distinct line items cover international transactions and Cash App Neighborhoods orders, each with its own calculation method.
International cards: According to Square, an additional 1.5% fee applies to payments made with credit or debit cards issued in a different country than the location of your Square account. This is an additive charge on top of the base processing rate, triggered specifically by the geographic origin of the card issuer. If a client uses a card from another nation, this extra percentage attaches to the transaction total.
Neighborhoods on Cash App: The same source states that participating Neighborhoods sellers pay 1% on orders processed through Cash App. This percentage applies only to sellers who have enrolled in the Neighborhoods program and to sales completed through the Cash App interface. It functions as a distinct line item separate from standard card processing fees.
These two examples show how Square builds its fee structure: some charges are additive percentages based on card origin, while others apply only to specific programs or platforms.
To apply these rules to your own records, match each transaction’s payment method and card origin to the matching line item in the reference table below. If you handle cross-border invoices regularly, see our cross-border billing guide for related setup checks.
Published percentages and flat fees from Square
Square's fee structure for non-standard payment types combines percentage rates with fixed dollar amounts, depending on the specific transaction. Square lists EBT processing at 1.8% + 5¢ on each transaction, meaning the cost includes both a variable percentage and a small flat charge for each sale. This mixed structure differs from pure percentage fees because the flat component remains constant regardless of the sale amount. For Bitcoin payments, the platform currently charges 0% processing fees until December 31, 2026, after which it will be 1%.
Bitcoin conversions carry a separate 1% conversion fee applied to the total amount of your daily converted sales. If you buy or sell Bitcoin through the platform, the fee is 1%, plus a small spread may apply. These distinct lines ensure that the cost of moving value into or out of cryptocurrency is tracked separately from the initial customer payment. Payout speed also carries a price when you need funds faster than the standard schedule. Rush payout costs $2 flat fee plus a share of network fees, typically arriving in about one hour. Priority payout is slightly more expensive at $3 flat fee plus a share of network fees, but arrives in about twenty minutes.
Gift card loads are priced differently, with a 2.5% load fee of the total amount loaded onto the gift card whenever you load or reload a physical gift card or digital eGift card online or in store. This fee applies to the full loaded amount. When calculating your net revenue, match each transaction type to its specific line item above. Verify whether a sale was an EBT purchase, a Bitcoin conversion, or a fast payout request, as each triggers a different calculation method. Keep these distinct figures separate in your books to avoid mixing percentage-based and flat-fee deductions.
Square fee reference table
The table below lists each fee line by publisher, with the structure or amount stated in that source's own terms. Square provides the majority of these lines, while other publishers offer related documentation for specific contexts.
| Publisher | Fee Line | Structure/Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Square | Neighborhoods on Cash App | 1% for participating sellers |
| Square | International cards | Additional 1.5% |
| Square | EBT processing | 1.8% + 5¢ on each transaction |
| Square | Bitcoin conversions | 1% on daily converted sales |
| Square | Bitcoin buy/sell | 1% plus possible spread |
| Square | Bitcoin payments | 0% until December 31, 2026; then 1% |
| Square | Rush payout | $2 flat + network fees (~1 hour) |
| Square | Priority payout | $3 flat + network fees (~20 minutes) |
| Square | Gift card load | 2.5% of total amount loaded |
| Reserve Bank of Australia | Visa/Mastercard pricing | Merchant Pricing Compilation documents |
How to work out your own figure from one sale
To determine the fee for a specific transaction, start by identifying the payment type and matching it to the published line item. For sales involving international cards, Cash App Neighborhoods, or Bitcoin, verify which rate applies before calculating the deduction. The process requires linking the sale to its correct category so you can apply the right percentage or flat amount.
When recording the payment in your books, use submitted source documents and keep the bank reference or remittance advice available Frappe. This documentation supports the accuracy of your entries by providing a clear trail for each charge. Do not treat one publisher's rule as every firm's rule, and do not treat one jurisdiction's rule as the rule everywhere.
For each sale, write down the gross amount and the specific fee structure that applies. If the payment was processed through a channel with a flat fee component, add that amount to the percentage-based charge. Record the final net amount received after these deductions are applied.
Keep the bank reference records aligned with your invoice numbers. This allows you to trace any discrepancy between the expected payout and the actual deposit. For a step-by-step method, see Reconcile bank statements in software: 4 matching steps. Review the remittance advice to confirm that the fee breakdown matches your calculations.
If you encounter a payment that does not fit the standard categories, note the details for further review. Ensure that all supporting documents are stored in a consistent location for future audits. This practice helps maintain clarity when reconciling multiple transactions over time.
Illustrative example: one international card sale
Suppose a customer pays $50 with a card issued in another country. Multiply $50 by 1.5% to find the extra international card amount, then add it to the standard processing charge on that sale. For an EBT sale of the same $50, take 1.8% of $50 and add the flat 5 cents for that transaction. Record each extra amount on its own line so it stays easy to trace later.
What moves the number: card origin and payout speed
Card origin changes which fee line applies to a sale, as covered in the earlier fee list section. For Australian merchants specifically, the Reserve Bank of Australia lists merchant pricing documents on payment card surcharging. The bank’s page includes "2 Merchant Pricing for Credit Card Purchases (Compilation) (MasterCard)" and "2 Merchant Pricing for Credit Card Purchases (Compilation) (Visa)". Additionally, the RBA cites the "Standard: The ‘Honour All Cards’ Rule in the Visa Debit and Visa Credit Card Systems and the ‘No Surcharge’ Rule in the Visa Debit System (Compilation)". That quoted title names a "No Surcharge" rule for the Visa Debit System.
Payout speed also affects the final amount received. Rush payouts carry a $2 flat fee plus a share of network fees, arriving in about 1 hour, while Priority payouts cost $3 flat plus a share of network fees, arriving in about 20 minutes. These figures come from Square’s published fee structures. The $2 and $3 flat fees are fixed, but the network-fee share varies, so the total is not purely fixed.
On Stripe, invoice size can block payment from a customer’s cash balance. According to Stripe, this happens when the amount due on an invoice is less than the minimum chargeable amount. You can’t finalize a too-small or too-large invoice with the cash balance (for example, creating a subscription for 0.01 USD). This limitation means very small invoices may require alternative payment methods or adjustments to meet the minimum threshold before processing. Check your specific platform’s minimums if you bill in small increments. If you collect deposits first, see Deposits and partial payments in 5 invoice tools.
Pick one recent sale today and match its payment type to a line in the reference table above.
FAQ: Square fees and small invoices
What are Square's processing fees besides the card rate?
Square lists specific additional lines for different payment types, including a 1% fee for participating Neighborhoods sellers on Cash App orders Square. The platform also applies an extra 1.5% to international cards and a combined 1.8% plus 5 cents for EBT transactions according to the same source. Bitcoin payments currently carry a 0% processing fee until December 31, 2026, after which that line changes to 1% as stated by Square.
When does the international card fee apply?
An extra 1.5% applies when a credit or debit card was issued in a different country from the location of your Square account Square. This rule depends on the card's issuance country. Compare the card's issuing country with your account location before you calculate the fee.
How is the EBT fee worked out on a sale?
EBT processing costs 1.8% of the transaction amount plus a flat 5 cents on each transaction Square. You calculate the total by adding the percentage-based portion to the fixed cent amount for each individual sale. This structure combines both variable and fixed components for every eligible EBT payment.
When does Square's Bitcoin fee change from 0% to 1%?
Bitcoin payments have 0% processing fees until December 31, 2026, after which the rate becomes 1% Square. The date marks the end of the current zero-fee period for these specific digital currency transactions. Review this timeline if you plan to accept Bitcoin for extended periods beyond that year.
Can a very small invoice be paid from a Stripe cash balance?
Stripe describes a block for invoices paid from a customer's cash balance when the amount due is less than the minimum chargeable amount Stripe. This condition stops such invoices from being finalized when they fall below that threshold. Check invoice totals against this limit if you rely on cash balances.