Google Merchant Center Pricing Policies Updated

09/12/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google Merchant Center Pricing Policy Updates for September

Google Merchant Center has updated its pricing policies to improve transparency around merchant fees and government charges. Merchants must now clearly disclose service and handling fees in shipping settings, while taxes and duties paid directly by customers should be excluded from product prices. The Regional Availability & Pricing (RAAP) feature is expanded to many more countries, and new attribute guidelines affect installment pricing and energy-efficiency certifications.

Optimixed’s Overview: Key Enhancements in Google Merchant Center Pricing and Fee Transparency

Enhanced Fee Disclosure Requirements

Google’s latest Merchant Center update mandates merchants to clearly disclose any merchant-imposed fees such as service, processing, activation, or handling charges within the shipping attributes or settings. This ensures shoppers are informed upfront, reducing checkout surprises. However, any government-imposed charges like taxes or duties paid directly by the customer must not be included in product pricing or shipping data.

Expansion of Regional Availability & Pricing (RAAP)

Previously limited to a select few countries, the RAAP feature is now available to a broader range of nations including Thailand, Vietnam, India, Brazil, UAE, and more. This expansion allows merchants to tailor pricing and availability regionally, improving market targeting and customer experience.

Updated Attribute Guidelines

  • Installment pricing must now be included under the certification attribute.
  • Energy-efficiency attributes are also categorized within the certification attribute, aligning with clearer product data standards.

These changes collectively promote greater pricing transparency and compliance, helping merchants deliver accurate and trustworthy information to shoppers worldwide.