When you add funds to your OpenSRS reseller account by credit card or PayPal, a processing fee applies. On December 1, 2026, this fee increases from 3% to 4%. This article explains the change, how the fee is calculated, and how to work out the exact amount to charge so the full credit you need reaches your account.
How the processing fee fits into your account
Your OpenSRS reseller account runs on a prepaid balance. OpenSRS deducts the wholesale cost of each order from that balance, so you add funds before your balance runs out. The processing fee is added on top of a credit card or PayPal deposit, which means the full amount you request lands in your account. For more about deposits, payment limits, and balance notifications, see Manage Your Reseller Account Balance.
Funds added to an OpenSRS reseller account are non-refundable. You can't withdraw them or have them returned when the account closes.
What's changing on December 1, 2026
The processing fee for credit card and PayPal deposits increases from 3% to 4%. The change applies to all OpenSRS resellers.
Payment method | Before December 1, 2026 | From December 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
Credit card | 3% | 4% |
PayPal | 3% | 4% |
ACH (Automated Clearing House) | No fee | No fee |
Note: The fee is based on the date you make the deposit. Deposits made before December 1, 2026 are charged 3%. Deposits made on or after December 1, 2026 are charged 4%.
You don't need to change anything in your account. The control panel calculates the new fee automatically and shows it on the Add Funds tab before you confirm a payment.
How the fee is calculated
The 4% is applied to the final charged amount, not to the credit you request. For Canadian resellers, applicable tax is added first, and the 4% fee is calculated on the taxed subtotal.
Warning: If you add 4% directly to your credit request (for example, $100 + $4 = $104), your payment is short and processing is delayed, because $4 is less than 4% of $104. Use the formula below instead.
Quick formula
To find the final amount charged for a deposit made on or after December 1, 2026:
Final amount = (Requested credit + applicable taxes) ÷ 0.96
This makes sure the full credit reaches your account with the 4% fee correctly included. For deposits made before December 1, 2026, divide by 0.97 instead.
Fee examples
Scenario | Requested credit | Tax | Final charged | Processing fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$100 deposit, no tax | $100.00 | $0.00 | $104.17 | $4.17 |
$2,000 deposit, no tax | $2,000.00 | $0.00 | $2,083.33 | $83.33 |
$2,000 deposit, 13% Canadian tax | $2,000.00 | $260.00 | $2,354.17 | $94.17 |
Worked example: $100 credit request
- $100 ÷ 0.96 = $104.17 (final charged amount)
- $104.17 × 0.04 = $4.17 (fee)
- $100 + $4.17 = $104.17
Worked example: $2,000 credit request with 13% Canadian tax
- Subtotal with tax: $2,000 + $260 = $2,260
- $2,260 ÷ 0.96 = $2,354.17 (final charged amount)
- $2,354.17 × 0.04 = $94.17 (fee)
- $2,260 + $94.17 = $2,354.17
Tip: Click Preview Total Charge on the Add Funds tab to see the exact tax, processing fee, and total before you confirm.
Avoiding the fee
OpenSRS doesn't charge a processing fee on ACH payments. ACH is available only to resellers in the United States and Canada, and you must set it up in advance. Your bank may charge its own fee for ACH transactions, so check with your financial institution. To set up ACH, see Manage Your Reseller Account Balance.
Common misconceptions
Misconception | What actually happens |
|---|---|
"4% of my credit equals the fee." | The 4% is applied to the final charged amount, which is larger than your credit. Use the division formula. |
"Adding $4 to a $100 request covers the fee." | $4 is only 3.85% of $104, so your deposit is short and processing is delayed. |
"Tax is calculated after the fee." | For Canadian resellers, tax is added first, and the 4% fee is calculated on the taxed subtotal. |
"PayPal deposits aren't affected." | PayPal deposits are charged the same 4% fee as credit card deposits. |
Next steps
- Plan your next deposit. Use the formula (Requested credit + tax) ÷ 0.96 for deposits made on or after December 1, 2026.
- Set up ACH. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, set up ACH payments to avoid the processing fee. See Manage Your Reseller Account Balance.
- Review past deposits. Open the Transactions tab in Billing and Payments to confirm the fee charged on earlier deposits.
Questions? Contact OpenSRS Support.