| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial term | 36 monthsShift4 (opens in a new tab) · Contract or terms · MPA §1.2. 30 months for agreements signed before December 1, 2025. The Service Agreement for the POS runs for the same term as the processing agreement. |
| Automatic renewal | Renews for 12 monthsShift4 (opens in a new tab) · Contract or terms · |
| Notice to avoid renewal | 90 daysShift4 (opens in a new tab) · Contract or terms · |
| Early termination fee (ETF) | Liquidated damages: a base monthly amount per device, set by your estimated monthly card volume ($100 under $10k up to $750 over $250k), times the number of terminal IDs, times the months left in the term (MPA §8.5.5). Unreturned equipment is charged on top.Shift4 (opens in a new tab) · Contract or terms · If your real volume differs materially from the estimate, Shift4 may use your average of the prior three months instead. |
| How the ETF is calculated | A monthly amount per device for each month left in the term, by monthly card volume:
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| Right to raise prices | From the first anniversary, Shift4 may raise total fees each year by the greater of CPI-U + 1% or 7% (MPA §12.15), and the agreement says the bank or Shift4 can change the fees at any time (§12.7); continuing to use the service 30 days after notice counts as accepting. The Service Agreement lets Shift4 change its rates and fees with 30 days' written notice (§3.e) and raise them each year by the greater of CPI-U + 1% or 4% (§3.g).Shift4 (opens in a new tab) · Contract or terms · |
Example: leaving in month 12
With our reference profile (Reference: $30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 90% in person, 1 terminal, 12 months), the estimated early termination fee would be $7,200. Your contract may differ: use the calculator with your numbers.
This is general information about published contracts, not legal advice: read your own contract and check with a lawyer before you sign.