Australia's ban on credit and debit card surcharges takes effect on Thursday and National says it still wants to see a similar rule here.
By Susan Edmunds of RNZ
Plans for a New Zealand credit card surcharge ban were announced last year and it had been intended that restrictions would be in place by May.
But a lack of political support seemed to stall progress.
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer said National's intention to ban surcharging was unchanged.
"Work is continuing as we carefully consider the feedback received, and we're committed to getting it right. We'll have more to say on next steps in due course.
"Australia has taken its own approach, and we'll be watching with interest as it beds in over there.
"Meanwhile, the Commerce Commission's decisions to cut interchange fee caps are expected to save Kiwi businesses up to $290 million a year once fully in place. Lower payment costs for businesses should mean a fairer deal for shoppers at the checkout."
Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker said she was still hopeful that a ban might happen.
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She said her research showed 58% of people supported or strongly supported a ban on card payment surcharges.
"Our research also shows a recent dip in the number of people who think it's fair for business to charge customers extra for using a credit card or contactless payment method. In April this year, 28% of people thought it was fair for businesses to pass on those additional costs, in July this year, only 21% of people thought it was fair. Meanwhile, 64% of people said they think businesses should cover those costs themselves.
"Currently there are guidelines that say surcharges should be transparent, avoidable and not excessive. However, our research continues to find that three in 10 New Zealanders say they are rarely or never told about surcharges before they pay, and 49% of people said they have paid a surcharge because they couldn't use a no-fee option. We still think the best way to fix the current surcharge mess is an all-out ban."
She said she understood that businesses were also going through a difficult time and might find it hard to cope with a ban.
If they wanted to raise their prices to cover any costs they would incur by not being able to pass on the charges, it should be by 1% or 1.5%, based on the Commerce Commission's estimates of how much new interchange fee limits would save them, she said.
"We think that is better than the current situation where people don't know if they are going to be surcharged or not but also how much the surcharge is going to be."
Green Party spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March said the party supported a ban on surcharge fees. "We are disappointed the Government bill stalled. We have attempted to address small retailers and hospitality venues' concerns of costs being passed on to consumers by amending the bill to introduce a 1% cap on merchant fees.
"This has received support from Retail NZ. We have met with the Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs to offer our votes in exchange for support for our amendment.
"Consumers and small businesses deserve a fair deal and a ban on surcharges plus a cap on merchant fees would support both groups."
Labour has been approached for comment.
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