MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) QRIS Fees: What Indonesian Entrepreneurs Should Know

In Indonesia today, if you run a hospitality, retail, and / or service business, then the refrain, "Can I pay with QRIS?" is probably a familiar question asked of your cashiers.

This is in part because of the prolific expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning (ML), and digital and virtual technology, and the fresh momentum that these advancements have made throughout the business fraternity, where many payment processes have become more streamlined.

One of the most widely adopted innovations in today’s business environment is the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), the QR Payment Code introduced in January 2024 by Bank Indonesia (BI) to facilitate payment transactions throughout Indonesia. This technological advancement.

This innovation has seen the total value of QRIS transactions increase by almost 150% (149. 46% to be more precise) in comparison to the previous years IDR 31.65 trillion (USD 1,950,108,853.99).  

One of the most widely adopted innovations today is QRIS. According to Bank Indonesia (BI), as of January 2024, the total value of QRIS transactions rose by 149.46 percent compared to the previous year, reaching Rp31.65 trillion.

This impressive growth clearly shows that QRIS is becoming more popular among consumers. However, behind its convenience and efficiency, there is one important aspect that business owners need to understand. It is called the Merchant Discount Rate, or MDR.

Every merchant that accepts QRIS payments is required to pay an MDR fee to a Payment System Service Provider. So, what exactly is MDR? And how much does it cost? Let’s take a closer look in the next section.

‍

A Quick Look at the QRIS Payment System

QRIS, short for Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard, is a digital payment system developed by Bank Indonesia to simplify cashless transactions.

For business owners, QRIS brings several practical advantages. First, every transaction is automatically recorded in one system, making it much easier to manage finances.

Second, it improves the customer experience by allowing payments through a wide range of apps, including mobile banking and e-wallets.

In addition to being convenient, QRIS also puts a strong focus on security. It uses encrypted technology and is directly monitored by Bank Indonesia, giving business owners peace of mind when it comes to transaction safety.

‍

How to Use QRIS

To start using QRIS, you’ll need to register your business through a Payment System Service Provider that’s officially licensed by Bank Indonesia.

One trusted option is Youtap. If you simply want to set up QRIS for accepting payments, Youtap Pay is a great solution. But if you're looking to integrate QRIS directly with your business app, Youtap POS (Point of Sale) might be a better fit.

Both options support host-to-host QRIS integration and are compatible with two QRIS modes: Customer Presented Mode (CPM) and Merchant Presented Mode (MPM).

Youtap’s QRIS service is already connected to a wide range of payment partners, including LinkAja, BNI, OTTOPAY, BCA, Livin, BTN, OVO, ShopeePay, Indodana, and Kredivo. This gives your customers more flexibility to choose their preferred payment method.

The best part? You only need to register once. After that, your business can start accepting payments from various banks and non-bank platforms using just one QR code.

For your reference, the use of QRIS is officially governed by Bank Indonesia Regulation No. 21/18/2019, which sets the international standard for QR codes in payment transactions.

‍

What Is MDR in QRIS?

If your business is already using the QRIS payment system, it is important to understand what MDR means.
MDR stands for Merchant Discount Rate. It is a fee charged to business owners each time a transaction is made using QRIS.

This fee helps cover the cost of using the service. It includes transaction processing, system security, and the maintenance of the digital infrastructure that keeps everything working smoothly.

Although the fee may seem small, MDR plays an essential role in maintaining the quality and reliability of the QRIS system.

For business owners, especially those running small and medium enterprises, understanding MDR is crucial. A small charge on every transaction can add up over time and affect your overall profit.

At the same time, this fee supports a payment system that remains secure, easy to use, and continuously improving to meet the needs of both businesses and customers.

‍

Who Pays the MDR Fee in QRIS?

According to the official website bi.go.id, here are the details of the MDR rates for QRIS transactions, which have been officially in effect since March 15, 2025:
‍

‍

Zero Merchant Discount Rates for QRIS Users with Youtap POS

Youtap POS is a business application designed to streamline your daily operations. It comes in four versions: Youtap Basic, Youtap Starter, Youtap Plus, and Youtap Pro. Of these, Youtap Starter is the most widely used by business owners.

With Youtap Starter, you’ll get access to a variety of powerful features, including:

• Product Management
• Customizable Receipts
• Transaction Reports
• Static QRIS
• Dynamic QRIS

...plus 13 other useful tools.

As part of the package, Youtap Starter enables you to accept QRIS payments, whether static or dynamic.

Even better, starting June 1, 2025, Youtap is offering a three-month MDR-free promotion for QRIS transactions made through Youtap Starter. This means you can accept QRIS payments without paying any Merchant Discount Rate fees during that period.

To take advantage of this offer, simply start a free 30-day trial of Youtap POS.

This promotion is open to all types and sizes of businesses, whether you're in food and beverage, retail, or services, and whether you're running a small shop or a large-scale operation. For more details, feel free to reach out to ALISA Youtap.

That’s a wrap on our discussion about QRIS and MDR. Now’s the perfect time to switch to digital payments and take your business to the next level.
‍