IC++ stands for Interchange + Scheme Fees + Processor Margin, and it is one of the most transparent pricing models used in card payment processing.
📌 How It Works
When a customer pays with a card, the total cost of that transaction is split into three components:
1. Interchange Fee (IC)
This is paid to the customer’s bank (the card issuer) and is set by Visa, Mastercard, or other card schemes.
The rate varies based on the type of card (e.g., debit, credit, commercial), the origin (EEA vs non-EEA), and whether the transaction is in-person or online.
2. Scheme Fee (+)
This is paid to the card scheme (e.g., Visa or Mastercard) for routing and authorizing the transaction.
This fee is also variable and depends on several factors including card type and transaction region.
3. Processor Margin (++)
This is the fixed fee added by Paybyrd as our commission per transaction.
It remains stable regardless of card type.
💡 Example
Let’s say a customer makes a €100 online payment with a non-European commercial credit card. The breakdown might look like this:
• Interchange Fee: 1.40% (€1.40)
• Scheme Fee: 0.15% (€0.15)
• Paybyrd Margin: 0.25% (€0.25)
Total Fee: €1.80 (1.80%)
You receive: €98.20
✅ Why Use IC++?
• Transparency: You see the real cost of the transaction and the exact margin charged by Paybyrd.
• Optimized Costs: If your customer base uses lower-cost cards (e.g., EU debit cards), your fees will reflect that.
• Compliance-Friendly: IC++ pricing is aligned with regulatory expectations, including interchange caps in the EU.
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind
• Fees can vary from transaction to transaction depending on the card used.
• The final fee is only known after processing — since interchange and scheme fees are determined dynamically.
Still Have Questions?
If you’d like help understanding your statements or comparing with other pricing models, feel free to contact our support team or reach out to your Account Manager.