If you’re searching for a card payment machine in the UK, you’re likely comparing rates, reliability, and overall cost. Most small businesses focus on the headline figure they’re quoted, but after auditing payment statements for over 12 years, one thing is clear: the real cost of a card machine is rarely what it appears to be.

This article explains where those hidden costs sit, why they’re so often missed, and what small businesses should actually be checking on their payment statements.

What do most businesses look at on their payment statement?

The vast majority of businesses only look at the headline rate. They glance at the top number, assume it tells the full story, and move on.

Very few break their payment card machine bill down line by line. As a result, important costs go unnoticed for months or even years.

Can a good debit rate hide higher card payment costs?

Yes, and this is one of the most common issues found when reviewing card payment for small business setups.

A business may have a strong debit card rate, but:

• credit card rates are significantly higher

• business debit cards are charged at premium rates

• different card types inflate the blended cost

When all card types are combined, the true cost of the card machine is often far higher than expected.

What are uplifts and why do they matter?

An uplift is an additional charge added to the base debit rate. In some cases, this can be:

• up to 0.77 percent extra

• or a flat 10p added to every transaction

For businesses processing high volumes, this quickly becomes a major expense. These charges are rarely obvious and often buried deep within the statement.

What PCI charges should small businesses be aware of?

PCI compliance is another area where costs quietly build.

Many businesses pay monthly PCI charges without fully understanding them. More concerning are PCI non-compliance penalties, which in some cases can reach 0.3 percent of total turnover.

For a small business, that can mean thousands of pounds lost simply because compliance was never properly explained or managed.

How do interchange and scheme fees affect card machine costs?

Different card types come with different interchange and scheme fees. Business cards, premium cards, and overseas cards all cost more to process.

This isn’t unusual, but when these fees aren’t clearly communicated, business owners struggle to understand how their payment card machine is actually performing.

Why do these costs go unnoticed?

Payment statements are complex, and most business owners are busy running their operation. Providers know this.

As a result, extra charges, uplifts, and penalties can sit unnoticed. It’s not unusual, it’s just rarely examined closely.

What should you check on your card payment machine statement?

If you’re using a card payment machine in the UK, review the following:

• debit card rate

• credit card rate

• business debit and business credit rates

• any uplifts per transaction

• PCI compliance charges

• PCI non-compliance penalties

• interchange and scheme fees

• minimum monthly charges

Looking at these together gives a far clearer picture of your real costs.

Is switching card payment providers always the answer?

Not necessarily. The first step isn’t changing supplier, it’s understanding what you’re paying and why.

Once you have clarity, you can decide whether your current setup still makes sense for your business.