Small Business Programme
Last updated: 26 November 2025
Small Business Program (“SBP”)
QFPay’s SBP is designed to support small businesses in Hong Kong. It offers a Special Service Fee on payment service of Visa and Mastercard transactions of the card-presented Merchants (Offline Merchant) of the designated Small and Medium Enterprises (“SME”) (as defined below). The Special Service Fee is only applicable to the Merchants who fulfil the requirements of the SBP as determined by QFPay. QFPay reserves the right to determine whether the merchants shall apply for the SBP without any prior notification.
A. Definitions and interpretation
1. Special Service Fee: If a Merchant meets the eligibility criteria for the SBP, they will be offered a special service fee on payment services of Visa and Mastercard transactions which is lower than standard service fee.
2. MCC Codes: QFPay has specified certain MCC codes that are not eligible for the SBP. The prohibited MCC codes include high-risk businesses as well as other codes listed by QFPay.
3. Program Participation: Merchants who apply for the SBP must meet the eligibility criteria. QFPay will review each application and determine whether the Merchant qualifies for the program. Merchants who are accepted into the program will be notified and provided with the necessary information to begin participating.
B. Eligibility Criteria for SBP
To be eligible for the SBP, a Merchant must meet the following criteria:
1. Merchant must fulfill the Hong Kong government’s definition of a SME as of 31 May 2018, which is: manufacturing enterprises with fewer than 100 employees and non-manufacturing enterprises with fewer than 50 employees are regarded as SMEs in Hong Kong. (Trade & Industry Department of Hong Kong).
2. Merchant must be an independent/sole retailer with no affiliation to any publicly listed companies or business groups and have fewer than 10 outlets.
3. Merchant must not have accepted any form of Visa or MasterCard payments in the last 6 months.
C. Terms and conditions
The terms and conditions of the SBP outline the transaction limits and other rules that apply to the program.
1. The Special Service Fee is only applicable to Visa, Mastercard, AMEX or and CUP cards issued in Hong Kong and to the card-presented Merchants (Offline Merchant).
2. The Special Service Fee is subject to transaction volume limits as follows:
A. Visa
– Accumulated transaction volume below HK$1,500,000 in the past 365 calendar days;
– A monthly threshold of transaction volume below HK$380,000;
B. Mastercard
– Accumulated transaction volume below HK$1,500,000 in the past 365 calendar days;
C. AMEX
– Accumulated transaction volume below HK$1,000,000 in the past 365 calendar days;
D. CUP
– Accumulated transaction volume below HK$800,000 in the past 365 calendar days.
All thresholds are applicable to the combined sales turnover across all outlets and sales channels.
3. The Special Service Fee is only applicable to the Merchant who meets all the conditions in Clause 2. Merchant who fails to meet any of the conditions in Clause 2 shall not apply for the SBP (resume to normal Service Fee).
4. The exact calculation method for the Special Service Fee may vary depending on the specific needs of each Merchant. QFPay may offer a percentage-based fee, a flat fee or any other arrangement that is appropriate for the Merchant’s business needs.
5. QFPay reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions at any time and to terminate SBP if a Merchant violates any of these terms and conditions.
6. Merchants must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards. This includes complying with regulations and guidelines that govern the acceptance of Visa and Mastercard payments, as well as any other relevant regulations that apply to their business.
7. Merchants may be required to provide regular reporting and record-keeping to QFPay, include but not limited to transaction data, sales reports, and other relevant information.
8. The following MCC codes are not applicable to SBP:
– High Risk MCC as listed: https://www.qfpay.global/high-risk-business; and
– The MCC Codes listed below:
| MCC Code | MCC Desciption |
| 9211, 9222, 9311, 9399, 9405, 8062 | Government MCCs |
| 5541 | Service Stations (with or without Ancillary Services) |
| 5542 | Fuel Dispenser, Automated |
| 5122 | Drugs, Drug Proprietaries, Druggist Sundries |
| 5962 | Direct Marketing: Travel-relatedArrangement Services |
| 5966 | Direct Marketing: Outbound Telemarketing Merchant |
| 5967 | Direct Marketing: Inbound Teleservices Merchant |
| 3000-3300 and 4511 | Airlines and Air Carries |
| 3501-3833 | Lodging – Hotels, Motels and Resorts |
| 4121 | Taxi cabs/ Limousines |
| 5993 | Cigar Store and Stands |
| 6010, 6011 | Cash Disbursements – Customer Financial Institution |
| 6012 | Merchandise and Services – Customer Financial Institution |
| 6050, 6051 | Quasi Cash |
| 6532, 6533, 6536, 6537, 6538, 6540 | Payment Transaction and Money Send |
| 7995 | Gambling Transactions |
By participating in the SBP, the Merchant agrees to the abovementioned terms and conditions.