Card vs ACH vs wire vs cash: the true cost for bullion dealers
Published Nov 5, 2026
On a bullion order, a card payment usually costs the dealer around 3% to 4% of the order, while ACH costs well under 1% and a wire is a flat fee. That gap is why most bullion dealers list a lower "cash/check/wire" price and a card or PayPal price about 4% higher. On a $5,000 order, 3.5% is $175; a $20 wire is $20.
Why card costs more on bullion
Metal trades on thin margins, often a few percent over spot. A card fee of 3% to 4% can be as large as the dealer's whole margin, so dealers either price it in (a card price) or add a separate funding fee. Card-not-present (CNP) payments, meaning online or phone orders where the card is not physically swiped or tapped, generally price higher than in-person payments and carry chargeback risk (see chargeback risk).
Fee calculator (example math)
| Payment method | Fee on this order | Fee as % of order | Price buyer pays if you pass the fee on |
|---|
Example math only. Your real rates come from your processor statement (interchange, network and processor fees, plus any monthly or per-item fees). This calculator runs in your browser, sends nothing anywhere and is not a quote.
What dealers actually publish
From our true cost calculator, which uses fees dealers publish themselves: most dealers list a cash price and a card price about 4% higher. At Cost Metals instead adds a funding fee: 0.97% for ACH, $20 for a wire or 3.99% for a card, per its How It Works page. Compare delivered totals both ways: true cost paying by check, ACH or wire and true cost paying by card or PayPal (switch the Payment box on that page).
Things to weigh beyond the headline fee
- Chargebacks: cards and PayPal can be disputed months later; wires and cleared checks generally cannot be reversed the same way.
- Settlement time: wires settle the same day; ACH takes a few business days and can still be returned; cards fund in a day or two.
- Surcharging rules: card networks and some states restrict how you can add a card surcharge versus offering a cash discount. Ask your processor what is allowed for your shop and state.
- Cash costs too: counting, deposits, armored pickup and theft risk are real costs, and cash over certain amounts has federal reporting duties. Follow the law and ask your accountant; we do not offer tools for that.
Related dealer tools
- Card and wire payments for bullion dealers (hub)
- Remote bullion sale checklist: AVS, CVV, 3-D Secure and liability shift
- Chargeback risk on high-ticket bullion orders
- PCI scope when you never touch the card number
- Payment processor directory for bullion dealers
- True cost calculator: delivered totals by dealer, card vs bank payment
- Developer and dealer quickstart
- List your shop or partner with Bullion Price Check
FAQ
How much more does a card cost than a wire on bullion?
Cards often cost a dealer about 3% to 4% of the order; a wire is usually a flat fee such as $20. Most bullion dealers list a card price about 4% above their cash or wire price.
Is this calculator a quote?
No. It is example math that runs in your browser. Use your processor statement for real rates.