Is drip pricing or hidden fees at checkout illegal?
How the answer differs across 4 jurisdictions
CanadaFull article You can file a complaint with the Competition Bureau, which enforces Canada’s drip pricing ban under the Competition Act. Companies that advertise a low price but add mandatory fees at checkout may be breaking the law.
AustraliaFull article No, drip pricing is illegal in Australia under the Australian Consumer Law because it misleads consumers about the total price they must pay.
European UnionFull article Yes, hiding important costs until the final checkout page is an unfair commercial practice under EU law.
US FederalFull article No, federal law prohibits companies from charging hidden fees that were not clearly disclosed upfront. Both the Truth in Lending Act and the FTC Act require transparency and ban deceptive pricing practices.
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CanadaWhat can I do if a company advertises a low price but then adds mandatory extra fees at checkout (drip pricing)?AustraliaA company is using drip pricing - showing a low price then adding mandatory fees at checkout. Is this legal?European UnionA website hid important costs until the final checkout page. Is this an unfair practice?US FederalCan a company charge me hidden fees that were not disclosed upfront?Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: June 2026.