This article covers the card and ACH fees, settlement timing, and payment limits that apply when you collect money through Relay Invoices and Quick Requests.
Who this article is for
Business owners collecting customer payments through Relay Invoices
Business owners using Quick Requests to invoice one-off customers
Anyone tracking incoming payment settlement times or fees on the Starter Plan, Grow Plan, or Scale Plan
What fees does Relay charge on Invoice and Quick Request payments?
Relay deducts card and ACH Pull fees from the payment before it settles into your account. Direct ACH deposits and incoming wires carry different pricing that varies by plan.
Payment type | Starter Plan | Grow Plan | Scale Plan |
Online card (customer pays by card) | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30* | 2.9% + $0.30* |
ACH Pull (customer pays by bank) | 1.0% (max $10) | 0.75% (max $10) | 0.50% (max $10) |
Direct ACH (customer sends ACH to you) | No per-transaction fee | No per-transaction fee | No per-transaction fee |
Incoming domestic wire | $5 | $5 | $5 |
*On the Grow Plan and Scale Plan, you can apply a surcharge of up to 2.9% at customer checkout to recover the card processing fee. Surcharging is not available on the Starter Plan.
Not insured by the FDIC. Not a deposit. May lose value. Card payment acceptance and ACH Pull services on Relay Invoices and Quick Requests are processed by third-party providers and are not deposit products.
Can I pass the card processing fee to my customer?
Yes, on the Grow Plan and Scale Plan. You can enable a surcharge of up to 2.9% during invoice setup, and Relay applies it at the customer's card checkout. On the Starter Plan, surcharging is not available, so the standard approach is to build the fee into the invoice amount you charge.
How long do card payments take to settle?
Card payments typically settle in 2-3 business days from the moment your customer completes payment. The payout batches overnight, then Relay reconciles the individual payment details the following evening.
Here is the sequence you will see:
The invoice or Quick Request status shows "Processing" as soon as the customer pays.
The payout deposits into your Relay account between 4:00am and 9:00am ET on the settlement day.
The per-invoice fee breakdown reconciles between 8:00pm and 9:00pm ET that same evening.
Payments completed after midnight ET roll into the next business day's batch.
How long do ACH and wire payments take to settle?
Settlement timing depends on the payment rail your customer uses.
Direct ACH received: Timing depends on the sending bank, typically 1-2 business days after the customer initiates.
ACH Pull (Pay by Bank): The customer's external bank account is debited same-day when they authenticate. Funds then take 2-3 business days to reach your Relay account.
Incoming domestic wire: Same business day if received during banking hours, subject to the sending bank's cutoff times.
Why is my first payment taking longer than usual?
First-time card payments often trigger a manual review before they settle. Relay may request supporting documentation, such as the invoice you sent or communication with the customer, to confirm the transaction is legitimate. Once your first payment clears review, subsequent ones typically follow the standard 2-3 business day timeline.
What are the limits for Invoice and Quick Request payments?
Pay by Bank (ACH Pull) limits align with your account's ACH Add Funds limits, which you can view in your account settings under limits. There are no separate per-invoice caps beyond those account-level limits. Card payment limits follow the transaction limits configured for your business account.
Frequently asked questions
What does "Processing" mean on my Relay invoice?
It means the customer's payment has been submitted but has not yet settled into your Relay account. Card payments typically show "Processing" for 2-3 business days. Once the payout batch clears, the status updates to paid and the funds appear in your account.
When is the daily settlement cutoff for Relay Invoice payments?
Midnight ET. Payments completed before midnight are batched for the next business day's payout. Payments completed after midnight ET roll into the following day's batch.
Why can I see the payout but not the fee breakdown?
Payouts hit your account in the morning (4:00am-9:00am ET). The per-invoice fee breakdown reconciles in the evening (8:00pm-9:00pm ET) of the same settlement day. If you check midday, you will see the deposit but not yet the itemized fees.
Can I speed up card settlement on a Relay Invoice?
Not directly. The 2-3 business day timeline is standard for card processing. Providing complete customer information on your first invoice reduces the chance of a manual review, which is the most common source of extra delay.
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