How to Cancel Elavon Card Machine Contract (UK 2026)

Elavon contract terms at a glance

Step 1: Find your Elavon contract

Before you call Elavon, dig out the original Merchant Services Agreement. You need the start date, the agreed contract length, the notice period clause, and any minimum monthly service charges. If you cannot find it, email customerservicesuk@elavon.com requesting a copy. Elavon is legally required to provide it.

Step 2: Work out the real cost of leaving

Elavon early termination fees are usually calculated as the remaining minimum monthly service charges plus a small admin fee. On a 36-month deal with 12 months remaining, that often works out at £250 to £500. Add equipment rental return fees of £150 to £250 if you rent your terminal, plus PCI non-compliance charges if applicable.

For most UK businesses processing over £15,000 a month, the savings from switching to a provider like Dojo or Paymentsense will cover the exit fee inside two to three months.

Step 3: Send written notice

Call Elavon on 0345 850 0195 to confirm your account details and request the cancellation team. Then send a recorded-delivery letter or signed email containing:

• Your Merchant ID and business name
• The phrase "formal notice to terminate" with the requested end date (start of notice + 90 days)
• A request for written confirmation, a final statement, and instructions to return equipment
• A request to confirm cessation of Direct Debit collections after the final statement

Step 4: Handle the retention call carefully

Elavon retention will usually offer one or more of these in the days after your notice lands:

• A reduced blended rate (often a 15 to 30 percent discount)
• Waived PCI fees for the rest of the term
• A new free terminal in exchange for extending the contract
• A fixed monthly fee instead of a percentage

Any new offer should be sent to you in writing with the new minimum term and notice period clearly stated. Compare it against at least two independent quotes before accepting. A 30 percent discount inside an Elavon contract is rarely as cheap as a fresh quote from a competitive provider.

Step 5: Return your equipment

Elavon will email a returns pack with a prepaid label. Photograph every terminal, power supply, and PIN-pad before sealing. Use tracked delivery and keep the proof. Returns must arrive within 14 days of your end date.

Step 6: Only cancel Direct Debit at the very end

Wait until you have a written final statement and the "account closed" confirmation in your inbox. Cancelling the Direct Debit early is the single most common reason businesses end up in dispute with Elavon, so be patient and resist the urge.

How Elavon compares to cheaper alternatives

Elavon's typical blended rate for small UK businesses sits at around 0.95 percent plus monthly fees. The independent providers below regularly come in significantly cheaper, especially for businesses processing over £15,000 a month.

Frequently asked questions about cancelling Elavon

Need help getting out of Elavon?

Call 0333 041 3933 or email hello@merchantswitch.com. We review your Elavon contract for free, tell you exactly what your exit fee should be, and match you with the right provider for your transaction profile.