Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – With the high tourism season underway, visitors in Puerto Vallarta are often concerned about extra charges when paying with credit cards. While foreign banks may impose international purchase fees ranging from 1% to 3%, Mexican businesses are prohibited from charging consumers additional fees for using credit or debit cards.
The Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) reminds both businesses and consumers that any commission charged for card payments violates the Federal Consumer Protection Law (LFPC). Article 7 Bis of the LFPC requires suppliers to clearly display the final price of goods and services, including all taxes, commissions, and additional costs – whether the purchase is paid in cash or by credit or debit card.
Violations can result in fines ranging from $733.04 to $2,345,728.71 pesos under Article 127 of the LFPC. Profeco also points out that merchant agreements registered with the National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Financial Services Users (Condusef) prohibit passing on terminal fees to customers. Businesses found doing so risk termination of their merchant contracts.
Profeco further reminds consumers that tips are voluntary and cannot be automatically added to a bill. According to Article 10 of the LFPC, suppliers are not allowed to impose abusive or coercive practices, which includes forcing tips.
Consumers who encounter establishments charging card commissions or mandatory tips can file a complaint at any of the 38 Consumer Protection Offices (ODECO) nationwide. Reports can also be made via Profeco’s hotline at 555-568-8722 (or 800-468-8722 from within Mexico), by email at denunciasprofeco(at)profeco.gob.mx, or on social media at X: @AtencionProfeco and @Profeco, and Facebook: @ProfecoOficial.
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