Bill aims to ban credit card minimums in Puerto Rico
The Department of Consumer Affairs, known by its Spanish acronym DACO, has endorsed a bill that would prohibit businesses in Puerto Rico from requiring a minimum purchase amount to pay with credit or debit cards.
House Bill 672, discussed during a public hearing of the House Consumer Affairs Committee chaired by Rep. Edgar Robles-Rivera, has drawn support from consumer advocates and criticism from the retail sector.
DACO attorney Teresita Santoni told lawmakers that “it is necessary for Puerto Rico to clearly and categorically establish that no business may condition card acceptance on a minimum amount, as this disproportionately affects low-income consumers.” She said the change would protect consumer choice and promote financial inclusion.
The bill’s sponsor, House Vice Chair Yashira Lebrón-Rodríguez, described the practice as “abusive” and “unfair,” noting that some community stores set $10 minimums, forcing shoppers to spend more than intended.
But the United Retailers Association, known by its Spanish acronym CUD, opposed the measure, arguing that it would “only benefit banks” while hurting small and medium-size businesses that lack the bargaining power to negotiate lower transaction fees.
Agnes Martínez, the group’s legal representative, said those fees, which typically range between 2.5% and 3.5%, “can reduce profit margins by 2.5% to 4%,” and warned that the bill would “force businesses to incur losses.”
DACO said the rule could be implemented through its existing oversight system but acknowledged that it would require additional staff and funding to manage the expanded workload.
