In 2013, digital payments accounted for only around 1% of transactions in the Philippines. Then, a major innovation in banking and finance happened: the launch of mobile money. This development, along with the advancement of smartphones, made financial transactions easier for consumers, and a decade later, the use of digital payments in the Philippines surged to 60%. As of 2026, digital payment transactions have surged to PHP 13.18 trillion in the first five months, with transaction volumes nearly tripling as more Filipinos rely on digital channels for their daily needs.
Because of this, some businesses charge additional fees for digital payments, stating that they need them to cover the additional fees imposed by these platforms during remittance. In online forums, some consumers talk about the additional fees imposed by businesses when paying through digital platforms like GCash, despite the latter waiving transaction fees for small merchants. Even a government agency was roped into this matter. Earlier this year, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) was in hot water after a viral photo circulated online showing a convenience fee charged to a client during a digital payment.
Which is why people keep asking: can businesses charge extra for digital payments?
On Extra Fees for Digital Payments: What the Law Says
Generally, no. Businesses that advertise or display a selling price cannot impose an additional surcharge solely because the customer chooses to pay through a credit card, debit card, e-wallet, QR payment, bank transfer, or other digital payment method.
Under Republic Act No. 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, businesses are generally required to sell goods at the price indicated on the price tag or displayed price. Charging a higher amount than the advertised price may constitute a violation of the law. Even if a business posts a notice stating that digital payments are subject to an additional fee, such notice does not automatically make the surcharge lawful. Businesses must still comply with the Consumer Act and applicable DTI regulations governing payment-method surcharges. This is especially problematic when the additional charge is disclosed only at checkout or after the transaction has already been initiated.
Aside from the provisions of the Consumer Act, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released several Department Administrative Orders (DAOs) to protect the rights of consumers who use digital payment methods in their transactions.
DTI DAO 10 s.06: Prohibition on Additional Charge for Cardholders
Under this DAO, businesses are required to display a price tag to indicate the price of their goods and services as required in the Consumer Act, and the consumer shall only pay the price indicated. Furthermore, businesses that accept credit, ATM, or debit cards for payment shall not require cardholders to pay a surcharge, extra charge, or additional charge over the indicated price tag.
DTI DAO 21-03 s.21: No Price Changes Regardless of the Mode of Payment
To further support the rights of the consumers using digital payment, this DAO states that the selling price of the goods or services shall remain the same whether the mode of payment is through card, QR code, electronic fund transfer, or other digital means. Aside from that, it constitutes a prima facie violation of the Consumer Act if the business denies the right of the consumer to pay in cash.
What To Do Against Deceptive Businesses
The above-mentioned DAOs and the Consumer Act also provide for penalties and processes for consumers who fell for deceptive business practices, which usually start by filing a letter-complaint to the DTI. However, it may become complicated depending on the response of the business involved to the complaint. Depending on the business’s response, the dispute may proceed through mediation or other legal processes before the DTI. Consumers dealing with complicated disputes or substantial financial losses may consider consulting a lawyer to better understand their rights and available remedies.