Fewer transaction costs for electronic payments? Minister prepared after Vooruit proposal

Since July last year, merchants have had to offer electronic payments, but they are not allowed to recover the costs from customers. A reduction is very welcome for many small traders, as became clear this morning at the weekly market in Harelbeke. “That costs us a few hundred euros per month, without adding the costs of the container,” says market vendor Kristof Vercauteren. “So it wouldn’t be a problem if it were reduced a little bit because it really takes away from our pure margin.” (read more below photo)

Depending on the subscription, the cost in our country can amount to just under 6 cents per transaction. At the request of Vooruit, Minister Dermagne is now looking at reducing this. “The bank will have to reduce that cost and it will indeed have to come from the bank,” says MP Melissa Depraetere from Deerlijk. “But I honestly think that if merchants make an effort to offer this to their customers, then the big banks should also make an effort.” Depraetere has also commissioned a study on this.

“It would of course be ideal if the minister lowered this rate, because we already have to pay a lot,” says market vendor Eddy Vanderschelden. “The costs of eggs, milk and all the products we use have also risen a lot.”

With the exception of a few, every market vendor here offers electronic payment. This has also been mandatory since July 1 last year. This year there were a lot more checks, but fewer infringements in our province, which went from 48 to 19 (PANCARTE). TITLE SHORT : Report: K. Baert – S. Kerger SLOW REVEAL : Left side : Economic Inspection checks: West Flanders 2022: 119 (48 infringements) 2023: 473 (19 infringements)