What is a merchant surcharge program?

A merchant surcharge program allows businesses to pass credit card processing fees (up to 3%) directly to customers who pay with credit cards. This is fully legal in 47+ states and can save merchants $20,000–$60,000 per year in processing fees.

What is a cash discount program?

A cash discount program offers customers a discount for paying with cash or debit, while customers who pay with credit cards pay the posted price which includes a service fee. This effectively eliminates credit card processing costs for the merchant.

How does Centurion compare to Square, Stripe, and Clover?

Centurion Payment Services consistently beats Square (2.6%+10¢), Stripe (2.9%+30¢), Clover (2.3-2.6%), and Heartland on effective rates. With our interchange-plus or surcharge programs, most merchants save 20-40% over their current processor.

Do you work with high-risk merchants?

Yes. Centurion specializes in high-risk merchant accounts including CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, vape, adult content, travel, gaming, and more. We have dedicated high-risk banking relationships and fast approval times.

How quickly can I get set up with Centurion?

Most merchants go live within 48 hours of approval. We handle the entire setup process including equipment programming, gateway integration, and staff training.

What credit card processing rates does Centurion offer?

Centurion offers interchange-plus pricing, flat-rate pricing, and zero-fee/surcharge programs. Rates are customized based on your industry, volume, and processing history. We guarantee to beat your current rate or we'll pay you $500.

Is the merchant surcharge program legal?

Yes. Credit card surcharging is legal in 47+ US states. It is currently prohibited only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Centurion ensures full compliance with state laws and Visa/Mastercard regulations.

What types of businesses do you work with?

Centurion works with all business types: restaurants, retail stores, medical practices, law firms, auto dealers, salons, hotels, e-commerce, contractors, healthcare, dental offices, veterinarians, gyms, nightclubs, dispensaries, and more.

What is Centurion Payment Services?

Centurion Payment Services helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 unified workspace. Built for teams and solo users who want clarity and speed.

I was shut down by Stripe/Square/PayPal. Can you help?

Yes — this is our specialty. Aggregators like Stripe and Square board everyone instantly, then terminate accounts their risk models flag. A true high-risk merchant account is underwritten upfront, so there are no surprises later.

How long does high-risk approval take?

Typically 24–72 hours for most verticals once documents are submitted. Complex cases (prior MATCH listing, international) may take slightly longer.

Do you work with CBD businesses in Florida?

Yes — we board compliant CBD and hemp merchants in Florida and nationwide, for both retail and e-commerce, through banks that explicitly accept the vertical.

Will I need a rolling reserve?

Sometimes, depending on industry and history. We negotiate the lowest possible reserve and push for scheduled releases — and many established merchants qualify for no reserve at all.

Tampa - High-Risk Accounts

CBD, vape, nutraceuticals, adult, travel, firearms — if you've been declined or shut down, here's how Tampa high-risk businesses get stable processing.

What Makes a Business 'High Risk'?

Banks classify merchants as high-risk based on industry (CBD, vape, nutraceuticals, firearms, adult, travel, coaching, subscription billing), chargeback exposure, average ticket size, or processing history. It doesn't mean your business is bad — it means mainstream processors like Square and Stripe won't board you, or worse, will shut you down mid-stream and freeze your funds.

We regularly hear from Tampa business owners who lost access to their money for 90+ days after a surprise Stripe or PayPal termination. The fix is a true high-risk merchant account, underwritten upfront by banks that want your industry.

How Centurion Gets High-Risk Merchants Approved

Centurion maintains direct relationships with domestic and international acquiring banks that specialize in high-risk verticals. We match your business to the right bank the first time, prepare your application to underwriting standards, and typically deliver approvals in 24–72 hours.

Serving Tampa and all of Florida, we support CBD and hemp, vape and e-cig, nutraceuticals and supplements, firearms and ammunition, adult, travel, tech support, coaching, and subscription businesses, among others.

Stop overpaying on processing fees.

Free rate analysis for Tampa businesses — response within 1 hour.

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What to Expect: Rates and Reserves

High-risk rates are higher than standard retail — typically 3.5–6% depending on industry and history — but a stable account beats a cheap one that freezes your funds. Reserves (when required) are negotiated as low as possible and released on schedule. We also implement chargeback alerts and mitigation tools that protect your account long-term.

Declined Before? Talk to Us Anyway

Past declines, terminated (TMF/MATCH) listings, or poor credit don't automatically disqualify you — they just change which bank we approach. Call (561) 221-2273 for a confidential consultation or submit the form below. Most Tampa high-risk merchants get a clear answer within one business day.