M-PESA Till Charges 2026 (Explained)
M-PESA Till (Buy Goods) is the most cost-effective way for merchants to receive payments from customers. Unlike Paybill which charges customers, till transactions are merchant-friendly with customers paying zero fees.
Merchant fees are charged as a percentage of the transaction amount and are capped to protect businesses from high costs on large sales. The exact rate depends on the amount band and is defined by Safaricom in the official tariff.
How Till Fees Are Calculated
- Below KES --: Fee is -- of the transaction amount.
- From KES -- and above: Fee is --, capped at KES --.
- Customer cost: Always KES 0 for Buy Goods.
Practical Fee Examples
If a customer pays KES --, the fee follows the lower rate. For larger payments such as KES --, the fee does not exceed the KES -- cap.
How M-PESA Till Works
- Customer selects Buy Goods: Dial *334# and select Lipa na M-PESA, then Buy Goods.
- Enter till number: Input your merchant till number (5-6 digits).
- Enter amount: Specify the transaction amount (minimum KES --, maximum KES --).
- Confirm and pay: Review details and enter M-PESA PIN to complete.
- Instant confirmation: Both customer and merchant receive instant SMS confirmations.
Till vs Paybill: Key Differences
- Till (Buy Goods): Customers pay zero fees. Merchant pays -- (capped at KES --). Best for retail.
- Paybill: Customers pay fees. Merchant receives full amount. Best for institutional payments.
Why Use Till for Your Business
- Customer-friendly: Zero fees for customers means higher transaction volume.
- Low merchant cost: Capped at KES -- regardless of transaction size.
- Instant settlement: Funds appear in your M-PESA account immediately.
- No account reference needed: Simpler than Paybill for retail transactions.
- Competitive advantage: Attract more customers by offering free M-PESA payments.
Getting a Till Number
- Visit any Safaricom shop with your national ID and business registration.
- Complete the merchant registration form.
- Activate your till number immediately.
- Start receiving payments within minutes.
Best Practices for Till Merchants
- Display till number prominently: Customers need to know your till number to pay.
- Reconcile daily: Check your M-PESA statement daily to track transactions.
- Maintain minimum float: Keep sufficient balance to handle customer inquiries.
- Keep records: Maintain transaction records for accounting and tax purposes.
- Security: Never share your M-PESA PIN and protect your till credentials.