Tamara BNPL Merchant Fee Calculator
Calculate official Tamara merchant discount rates (MDR), ZATCA 15% VAT on fees, and upfront bank deposits in Saudi Arabia (SAR), UAE (AED), and Kuwait (KWD).
Customer splits the payment into interest-free monthly installments. You receive the entire net payout upfront.
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Pass Fee to Client (Legal Surcharge Engine) Calculate zero-shortfall compliant markup & legal surcharge limits
• United States: Visa & Mastercard cap credit card surcharges at 3.00% (effective April 2023). Surcharging debit or prepaid cards is strictly illegal under federal operating rules.
• UK & European Union: Surcharging consumer debit and credit cards is prohibited under PSD2. B2B / corporate card surcharges remain permitted.
• Australia: Governed by RBA; surcharging is legally restricted strictly to the merchant's actual cost of card acceptance.
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Tamara Fee Matrix for Saudi Arabia Orders (SAR 2026)
Detailed breakdown for Saudi Arabia (5.00% + 1.5 SAR + 15% ZATCA VAT on fee):
| Cart Value | Tamara Fee (5.0% + 1.5) | ZATCA 15% VAT | Total Tamara Deduction | Your Net Bank Deposit | Gross-Up Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200.00 SAR | -11.50 SAR | -1.73 SAR | -13.23 SAR (6.61%) | 186.78 SAR | 214.04 SAR |
| 500.00 SAR | -26.50 SAR | -3.98 SAR | -30.48 SAR (6.10%) | 469.53 SAR | 532.34 SAR |
| 1,000.00 SAR | -51.50 SAR | -7.73 SAR | -59.23 SAR (5.92%) | 940.78 SAR | 1,062.85 SAR |
| 2,500.00 SAR | -126.50 SAR | -18.98 SAR | -145.48 SAR (5.82%) | 2,354.53 SAR | 2,654.37 SAR |
| 5,000.00 SAR | -251.50 SAR | -37.73 SAR | -289.23 SAR (5.78%) | 4,710.78 SAR | 5,306.91 SAR |
Tamara Fee Architecture & SAMA Compliance (2026)
Headquartered in Riyadh and fully licensed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), Tamara is Saudi Arabia's leading fintech unicorn. Understanding the fee structure is crucial for accurate financial forecasting:
Standard rate for Split in 2, 3, or 4 payments in Saudi Arabia. In the UAE, rates average 5.50% + 1 AED.
Saudi law requires 15% VAT on the processing fee. Tamara provides monthly compliant tax invoices for input VAT deduction.
You receive the full purchase amount in 2 business days. The merchant holds 0% credit risk if a shopper defaults on subsequent installments.
Mathematical Gross-Up Formula for Saudi Merchants
To receive an exact targeted payout after Tamara's 5.0% commission, 1.50 SAR fixed fee, and 15% ZATCA VAT:
For 1,000.00 SAR net deposit: (1,000 + 1.725) / (1 - 0.0575) = 1,062.85 SAR. Deducting Tamara's 5.0% + 1.5 SAR + 15% VAT ($62.85 SAR total) yields exactly 1,000.00 SAR into your business account.
4 Strategic Protocols for Saudi E-Commerce Merchants with Tamara
Follow these financial best practices to optimize cash flow and protect retail margins across Saudi Arabia:
Keep Mada as the primary default checkout option for basket sizes under 150 SAR (where Mada fees are capped at low rates). Promote Tamara on high-ticket items (300+ SAR) where installments unlock impulse purchasing.
During high-volume retail seasons in Saudi Arabia, Tamara app traffic surges. Partner with your Tamara account manager for co-branded banner placements in the app to capture zero-CAC conversions.
Ensure your ERP or e-commerce platform generates Phase 2 cryptographic QR-code invoices reflecting the gross selling price. Tamara's settlement deductions should be booked as marketing and finance fees, not revenue reductions.
Once your store crosses 500,000 to 1,000,000 SAR in monthly GMV through Tamara, request an enterprise rate review to compress the MDR from 5.0% down toward 4.2%–4.5%.
Tamara vs Mada vs Credit Cards in Saudi Arabia (1,000 SAR Order)
| Payment Method | Merchant Fee | Total Deductions on 1,000 SAR | Consumer Conversion Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamara (Split in 4) | 5.0% + 1.50 SAR | 59.23 SAR (incl. VAT) | +40% Higher Basket Size (AOV) |
| Mada Debit Card | 1.0% (Capped at 40 SAR) | 11.50 SAR (incl. VAT) | Low-fee standard payment |
| Visa / Mastercard KSA | 2.2% + 1.00 SAR | 26.45 SAR (incl. VAT) | Standard Card Checkout |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tamara Fees & Saudi Regulations
What are Tamara merchant fees for BNPL in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2026? ▾
Tamara charges merchants between 5.00% and 5.50% plus a fixed fee of SAR 1.50 / AED 1.50 per transaction (+ 15% VAT in KSA or 5% VAT in UAE). Tamara settles 100% of the sale value upfront to the merchant, assuming full consumer credit default risk.
Is Tamara fully Sharia-compliant and licensed by SAMA? ▾
Yes. Tamara is officially licensed and regulated by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and operates under certified Sharia-compliant principles with zero late fees and zero compounding interest charged to consumers.
What installment options does Tamara offer to GCC shoppers? ▾
Tamara provides 'Pay in 4' (split into 4 monthly payments) and 'Pay in 2' / 'Pay in 3' options, as well as extended 6 to 12-month installment plans on high-ticket consumer electronics and home goods.
What is the settlement schedule for merchant bank payouts on Tamara? ▾
Cleared funds settle directly into your Saudi Arabian (SAR) or UAE (AED) commercial bank account on a scheduled weekly or bi-weekly disbursement cycle, accompanied by detailed accounting reconciliation statements.
How does 15% ZATCA VAT apply to Tamara fees in Saudi Arabia? ▾
In Saudi Arabia, all Tamara processing fees are subject to 15% VAT. For example, on a SAR 1,000 sale with a 5% fee (SAR 50) + SAR 1.50 fixed, the fee is SAR 51.50, and 15% VAT is SAR 7.73, totaling SAR 59.23 in total deductions.
What is the impact of integrating Tamara on Cash on Delivery (COD) orders? ▾
Across Saudi Arabia and the GCC, offering Tamara typically converts 40% to 60% of traditional Cash on Delivery shoppers into prepaid digital BNPL orders, eliminating cash collection risks and drastically cutting courier refusal rates.
How are refunds and customer returns handled through Tamara? ▾
Merchants process returns directly via the Tamara partner portal or e-commerce API. Tamara automatically cancels pending customer installments and refunds any paid installments back to the buyer's card.
How do I calculate what to price an item on Tamara to clear SAR 1,000 net in Saudi Arabia? ▾
Effective deduction rate in KSA with 5% fee + 1.50 fixed + 15% VAT is 5.75% + SAR 1.73. Price = (1,000 + 1.73) / (1 - 0.0575) = 1,001.73 / 0.9425 = SAR 1,062.84.
Verified Methodology & Primary Legal Sources 2026 Audit
All calculation logic, statutory caps, and tax models are cross-referenced with official merchant agreements.