What are the fees for accepting card payments in Morocco?

Fees include the MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) typically between 0.7% and 2.5%, plus potential terminal rental fees. TKpay offers some of the most competitive rates on the market.

What is MDR in payment processing?

MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) is the commission charged on each card transaction. It compensates the acquirer (like NAPS), the card issuer, and the network (Visa/Mastercard).

Can I charge card fees to the customer?

No, in Morocco as in most countries, surcharging customers for card payments is prohibited. The displayed price must be the same regardless of payment method.

Card Payment Fees in Morocco Explained

Understanding Payment Fees Is Essential

Every time a customer pays by card at your business, a fee is deducted from the transaction amount before the funds reach your bank account. These fees are a standard part of the electronic payment ecosystem, but many Moroccan merchants do not fully understand how they are structured. This guide breaks down each component so you can make informed decisions about your payment setup.

The Key Fee: MDR (Merchant Discount Rate)

The MDR is the primary fee charged to merchants for accepting card payments. It is expressed as a percentage of each transaction amount and is deducted automatically at the time of settlement. In Morocco, the MDR typically ranges from 0.8% to 2.5%, depending on several factors:

Business sector: Supermarkets and gas stations often negotiate lower rates due to high volumes, while restaurants and hotels may pay higher rates
Transaction volume: Higher monthly volumes generally qualify for lower MDR rates
Card type: Domestic cards typically carry lower fees than international Visa and Mastercard cards
Payment method: In-store, online, and contactless transactions may have different rates

Breaking Down the MDR

The MDR you pay is not a single fee — it is composed of several layers:

Interchange Fee

This is the fee paid by the acquiring bank (which processes payments for you) to the issuing bank (which issued the customer's card). Interchange rates are set by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard) and vary by card type and transaction category. This is typically the largest component of the MDR.

Scheme Fee

Visa and Mastercard charge a small fee for using their network infrastructure. These scheme fees cover transaction routing, brand licensing, and network maintenance. They represent a relatively small portion of the total MDR.

Acquirer Margin

This is the fee retained by your payment provider for processing the transaction, maintaining the terminal, providing support, and managing settlement. This is the component where there is room for negotiation.

Other Fees to Watch

Beyond the MDR, merchants should be aware of additional potential costs:

Terminal rental fee: Some providers charge a monthly rental fee for the payment terminal. TKpay provides terminals at no additional hardware cost.
Minimum monthly fee: A minimum charge that applies if your transaction volume does not generate enough MDR to cover a baseline amount.
Chargeback fees: If a customer disputes a transaction and the chargeback is upheld, the merchant may be charged an additional processing fee.
Settlement fees: Some providers charge for each settlement cycle. Verify whether these are included in your MDR or billed separately.
Setup and activation fees: One-time fees for terminal installation and account activation.

Domestic vs. International Card Fees

In Morocco, transactions made with domestically-issued cards generally carry lower fees than those made with international cards. This is an important distinction for businesses that serve tourists or international clients:

Moroccan-issued cards: Lower interchange rates, resulting in a lower overall MDR
International Visa/Mastercard: Higher interchange rates, reflecting the cross-border processing involved
Premium and corporate cards: These often carry the highest interchange rates

Understanding this breakdown helps you anticipate fee variations and set pricing strategies accordingly.

How to Reduce Your Payment Fees

1. Negotiate Based on Volume

If your monthly transaction volume is significant, you have leverage to negotiate a lower MDR. Approach your provider with concrete data: average transaction value, monthly volume, and growth projections.

2. Compare Providers

The transition from CMI to NAPS has opened the market to more competition. Request detailed fee breakdowns from multiple providers and compare the total cost, not just the headline MDR rate.

3. Understand the Full Cost

A low MDR is meaningless if it comes with high terminal rental fees, setup charges, or hidden minimums. Always ask for a complete fee schedule before signing.

4. Choose the Right Terminal Plan

Some providers bundle terminal costs into the MDR, while others charge separately. Calculate the total monthly cost under each model to determine which is more economical for your business.

TKpay's Transparent Pricing

TKpay is committed to fee transparency. Our pricing structure includes:

Competitive MDR rates based on your business sector and volume
No terminal rental fee: SUNMI P2 and P3 terminals are provided at no extra hardware cost
No hidden fees: No setup charges, no minimum monthly fees, no settlement surcharges
Clear reporting: The TKpay dashboard shows a detailed breakdown of every transaction, including fees deducted

Conclusion

Card payment fees in Morocco are an unavoidable cost of accepting electronic payments, but they are manageable when you understand how they work. By knowing the components of the MDR, comparing providers, and negotiating based on your actual transaction data, you can minimize costs and maximize the value of every sale. TKpay offers transparent pricing and free terminal equipment to help Moroccan merchants keep more of their revenue.