The largest state economy also carries the largest concentration of merchants that banks decline. Structure Payments underwrites them — with approval typically in about 48 hours.
California has more businesses than any other state, and proportionally more of them fall into categories mainstream processors avoid — supplements and nutraceuticals, firearms, subscription commerce and coaching among them.
Being declined in California is rarely about the individual business. It is about the category, and it is solved by working with a processor that underwrites the category deliberately.
Surcharging permitted
Yes. California Civil Code § 1748.1 prohibited surcharging, but the Ninth Circuit struck it down in Italian Colors Restaurant v. Becerra, holding that the ban restricted how merchants may describe a price difference rather than regulating the price itself.
Surcharging in California therefore follows federal and card brand rules: disclose the fee clearly before purchase, cap it at your actual cost of acceptance, and never apply it to debit card transactions — the debit restriction applies nationwide.
A cash discount program is the alternative if you would rather stay clear of surcharge rules: prices are posted for card payment and cash customers receive a discount. Presenting a surcharge as a cash discount is not permitted and carries penalties.
Surcharging and convenience-fee rules change, and card brand rules apply on top of state law. Confirm current requirements for your situation before launching a program — we can walk you through it.
Where the state's decline rates are highest, and what we do about each.
California is a center of gravity for supplement brands, and continuity billing plus health claims make the category a frequent target for account termination.
California holds more Type 03 Federal Firearms Licenses — Collector of Curios and Relics — than any other state, alongside a substantial dealer base.
Recurring billing at scale draws chargebacks, and mainstream processors respond by capping or closing accounts rather than managing the ratio.
High-ticket programs sold on outcome promises generate refund pressure that ordinary underwriting will not absorb.
No drawn-out underwriting theatre. A real person, a real timeline, a real approval.
One short form and a quick document upload. Your dedicated rep reviews it the same day — no call-center runaround.
We match you to the right banking relationship and gateway for your industry, chargeback history and volume.
Credentials, gateway and cart integration go live. You're accepting cards — usually within about 48 hours of applying.
Yes, with proper disclosure. California Civil Code § 1748.1 was struck down by the Ninth Circuit in Italian Colors Restaurant v. Becerra. Surcharges must be disclosed before purchase, must not exceed your cost of acceptance, and may never be applied to debit cards.
Yes. Structure Payments underwrites California merchants across high-risk categories including supplements, firearms, subscriptions and coaching, with most accounts approved in about 48 hours.
Almost always because of your industry category rather than your specific business. Mainstream processors exclude entire sectors by policy, which is why a specialist underwriter can approve the same application.
We do everything possible to get you approved, and most merchants are processing within about 48 hours. No obligation to see your real rate.