PCI Non-Compliance Fees

Failing to adhere to PCI DSS requirements can result in monthly non-compliance fees from your payment processor or acquiring bank, and in more serious cases, additional assessments or fines from card brands until you demonstrate that required security and validation standards have been met. They are recurring charges and can be stopped by taking immediate remedial action.

In this guide, we explore how PCI non-compliance fees work in practice, how they’re charged, their typical costs, and how you can avoid triggering them in the future.

What a PCI non-compliance fee is (and what it isn’t)

A PCI non-compliance fee is charged when a company cannot show its compliance with PCI DSS. Typically, these fees arise when SAQs (Self-Assessment Questionnaires), AOCs (Attestations of Compliance), and vulnerability scan reports are missing, incomplete, or not submitted.

PCI non-compliance fees are not charged by the PCI Security Standards Council. The PCI SSC sets compliance guidelines, but it is payment brands (such as Visa and Mastercard), processors, and acquirers who enforce the rules and penalties.

These fees roll forward until your processor or other party is satisfied that you have met compliance requirements.

Who charges it and where it shows up on your statement

Payment processors and acquiring banks commonly apply fees if you fail to meet compliance requirements for your merchant or service provider level. You will usually find them listed as charges on monthly statements.

Fees may appear on your statements under names such as:

• NONPCI-CHG
• PCI NON COMPLIANCE FEE
• PCI-NON COMPLIANCE
• PCI NON-VALIDATION / NON-COMPLIANCE FEE

The exact label, frequency, and amount will vary between credit card processors and payment service providers. Charges may also differ based on the processor’s policies and the type of compliance requirement that has not been satisfied. Some providers apply a standard monthly non-compliance fee regardless of the specific issue, while others may use different fee structures depending on the missing validation or remediation requirement.

In some cases, you may find reference to a “MID” which is your merchant ID. Many processors assess fees at the merchant account level, which is often tied to a specific MID. If you operate multiple merchant accounts, non-compliance fees may apply separately to each one depending on how your accounts are set up.

What are PCI non-compliance fees, fines, and penalties?

PCI non-compliance fees are recurring charges imposed by a payment processor or acquiring bank when a merchant fails to validate or maintain PCI DSS compliance. These fees are typically administrative charges designed to encourage remediation.

PCI non-compliance fines are larger enforcement actions generally initiated by the card brands (such as Visa and Mastercard) and passed through the acquiring bank to the merchant. Fines often escalate the longer a merchant remains non-compliant. PCI fines are generally reserved for more serious compliance failures and are most commonly associated with unresolved compliance issues, failure to remediate identified deficiencies, or payment card data breaches.

PCI penalties refer to the broader financial consequences of non-compliance, especially following a data breach. In addition to fines, organizations may face forensic investigation costs, card replacement expenses, increased processing fees, legal expenses, customer notification costs, and, in severe cases, loss of the ability to process payment cards. Breach-related assessments can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the scale and impact of the incident.

How much are PCI non-compliance fees and fines?

There are no set or universal rates for PCI non-compliance, and they are defined by individual providers.

Fees and fines vary depending on the non-compliance circumstances in play. For example, rates differ between processors and acquiring banks and may increase for as long as non-compliance continues. Low-level fees apply if SAQs and AOCs are not completed or submitted on time.

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Typical PCI Non-Compliance Cost Ranges

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Note: The figures above represent commonly cited industry ranges and examples of typical processor fees, card-brand assessments, and breach-related costs. Actual non-compliance fees, fines, and penalties may be case-specific and vary significantly based on the payment processor, acquiring bank, card brand, merchant level, duration of non-compliance, transaction volume, and whether a security incident or data breach has occurred.

Why processors charge PCI non-compliance fees

Processors charge PCI non-compliance fees to offset increased operational and security risk due to non-compliance and encourage merchants to complete their compliance validation.

At the provider’s level, it is a compliance enforcement mechanism. Because PCI DSS compliance is primarily enforced through contractual agreements between merchants, acquiring banks, and payment brands, processors often use non-compliance fees to encourage timely validation and remediation.

What triggers a PCI non-compliance fee

PCI non-compliance fees are typically triggered by invalid or missing SAQs and AOCs, or when vulnerability scan results go unfiled.

Non-compliance is determined based on the specific level your merchant or service provider business falls under. Businesses are split into one of four levels for merchants and two levels for service providers, based on factors such as annual card payment volumes.

Common triggers for non-compliance fees include:

• Avoiding or neglecting notices sent by acquirers and processors
• Failure to submit a complete SAQ or a ROC as outlined by PCI compliance levels
• Missing vulnerability scans (if required)
• Failure to maintain required PCI DSS security controls and activities
• Use of payment applications that are not validated against PCI security requirements

How to Avoid PCI Non-Compliance Fees

The simplest way to avoid PCI non-compliance fees is to complete your required PCI DSS validation activities on time and maintain the security controls expected for your merchant level. Most recurring fees are triggered by missing documentation, expired validations, or unresolved compliance issues rather than security incidents themselves.

Common ways to avoid PCI non-compliance fees include:

Respond quickly to compliance notices

Processors and acquiring banks often provide multiple warnings before applying fees. Addressing requests for documentation or remediation promptly can prevent recurring charges from being added to your account.

Work with your processor to confirm requirements

Validation requirements differ based on transaction volume, payment environment, and merchant classification. Confirming your obligations with your processor or acquiring bank can help ensure the correct forms and assessments are completed.

Use PCI compliance management tools or services

Many merchants reduce the risk of missed deadlines by using PCI compliance platforms, managed compliance services, or external assessors that help track requirements and maintain documentation.

Complete vulnerability scans when required

If your environment requires quarterly vulnerability scanning by an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV), ensure scans are completed and passing reports are submitted before deadlines expire.

Maintain PCI DSS security controls year-round

PCI compliance is an ongoing process rather than an annual exercise. Regularly reviewing access controls, encryption practices, patch management procedures, and system configurations can help prevent compliance gaps from developing.

Submit your required PCI documentation on time

Most merchants must annually submit validation documents such as a Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), Attestation of Compliance (AOC), or Report on Compliance (ROC), depending on their PCI level and environment. Missing deadlines is one of the most common reasons processors apply non-compliance fees.

Most PCI non-compliance fees are preventable. Maintaining required documentation, completing scans and assessments on schedule, and addressing compliance issues promptly can help organizations avoid recurring fees, card brand fines, and more serious breach-related costs.

What to Do If You’re Charged a PCI Non-Compliance Fee

If you receive a PCI non-compliance fee, immediately contact your processor or acquirer to discuss how to bring your firm up to code, and where you may have breached compliance. The longer you delay, the more you could end up paying.

Communicate calmly and transparently with your processor, and be willing to take the steps they request to achieve compliance. For example, this may simply mean adjusting your AOC or filing a different SAQ.

Once you have taken steps to remedy compliance and submit documents, communicate with your processor once more and request a re-analysis of your situation. In some cases, you may be able to request that your fee be waived if you take swift enough action.

Regardless of the transactions you process and the security steps you take to protect your customers, it’s time to get compliant and avoid unnecessary fees. Take a tour of the SecureTrust PCI Manager and find out how to simplify PCI DSS compliance for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PCI compliance mandatory?

Yes, PCI compliance is mandatory as determined by payment processors, acquiring banks, and card brands (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and JCB). While not legally enforced at the federal level, non-compliance is considered a breach of contract and can result in recurring fees, increased transaction costs, or termination of your merchant account.

What happens when non-compliance is detected?

Your processor or acquirer may begin charging a monthly non-compliance fee until the issue is resolved. In more serious cases — such as prolonged non-compliance or a confirmed data breach — the card brands may initiate a PCI fine, your acquirer may require a forensic investigation, require immediate corrective measures, or place your business on a high-risk merchant monitoring list.

What are the consequences of non-compliance beyond fees?

Monthly processor fees are the starting point. Card brands can impose fines of $5,000–$100,000/month through your acquiring bank, escalating the longer non-compliance continues. If a data breach occurs while you are non-compliant, you may also face card replacement costs of $50–$90 per compromised cardholder record, forensic investigation costs, customer lawsuits, and, in severe cases, potential loss of your merchant account.

How do I determine my PCI compliance level?

Your level is based on your annual card transaction volume. Level 4 merchants (fewer than 20,000 e-commerce transactions or up to 1 million total) can typically validate compliance with an SAQ. Level 1 merchants (over 6 million transactions) usually require a full on-site assessment by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA). Contact your acquiring bank or processor to confirm your level and corresponding validation requirements.

What steps should I take to stay compliant long-term?

Maintain ongoing security controls, including firewalls, encryption, and access restrictions in line with the 12 PCI compliance requirements. Run quarterly vulnerability scans if required for your environment and complete and submit the correct SAQ annually.

Sources

PCI Compliance Requirements: Complete Guide. (n.d.). In SecureTrust. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.securetrust.com/blog/pci-compliance-requirements

Securing the Future of Payments: PCI SSC Publishes PCI Data Security Standard v4.0. (n.d.). In PCI Security Standards Council. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/about_us/press_releases/securing-the-future-of-payments-pci-ssc-publishes-pci-data-security-standard-v4-0

True Cost of PCI Compliance: What to Expect and How to Reduce Expenses. (n.d.). In SecureTrust. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.securetrust.com/blog/cost-of-pci-compliance

Understanding PCI Compliance Levels for Your Business. (n.d.). In SecureTrust. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.securetrust.com/blog/pci-compliance-levels

What Does SAQ Stand for in PCI Compliance? (n.d.). In SecureTrust. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.securetrust.com/blog/saq-self-assessment-questionnaire

X Sample Templates Customized Approach. (n.d.). pcisecuritystandards.org. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://docs-prv.pcisecuritystandards.org/PCI%20DSS/Reporting%20Template%20or%20Form/PCI-DSS-v4.x-Sample-Templates-Customized-Approach.pdf