Azerbaijan sets card payment commission caps: what it changes
The Management Board of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has approved an upper limit on interchange — the fee applied between payment system participants on card transactions. The decision was signed by CBA Chairman Taleh Kazimov. According to navigator.az, this is the first such document setting a commission ceiling for specific categories.
What the decision sets
Under the document, based on MCC codes that classify a merchant's field of activity, the upper interchange limit is set as follows: for the "Drug Stores and Pharmacies" and "Grocery Stores and Supermarket" categories — 1.25% of the payment amount; for the "Petrol" category — 0.75%; for the "General" category — 1.5%. For other MCC codes, the upper interchange limit has not yet been determined.
According to navigator.az, the CBA's Department of Legal Support for Financial Markets has been instructed to submit the decision to the Ministry of Justice within 3 days for inclusion in the State Register of Legal Acts.
What it means for buyers and sellers
The commission ceiling directly concerns settlements between the acquiring bank and the merchant, not the consumer's wallet. But in practice, such limits usually affect how willing small and medium-sized merchants are to accept cards — a lower commission makes card acceptance more favourable for the seller. For high daily turnover sectors such as pharmacies, supermarkets and petrol stations, the difference is especially noticeable.
What shows up in Prayk
Prayk's catalogue currently lists 820,784 listings and 7,154 stores. The "Products" section holds 293,875 listings, part of which belong to sellers from everyday-goods sectors — pharmacies, grocery and retail outlets. The platform has 27,132 registered users, and 164,001 listings are marked with a map point, making it easier for buyers to find the nearest outlet.
Card acceptance terms may vary from shop to shop, but buyers benefit from comparing where and how to purchase in advance. For store owners, a lower interchange ceiling could make card acceptance a more attractive service to offer.
What to do tomorrow
Sellers should clarify commission terms with their acquiring bank, especially if their MCC code falls under pharmacies, supermarkets or petrol stations. Buyers should favour outlets that accept cards, reducing the need to carry cash. To list your store or service on Prayk, check the stores section, and post listings in the products category.
Source: navigator.az, 2026.