Quebec businesses face unique POS requirements that set them apart from the rest of Canada. From Bill 101‘s French-language mandates to QST tax calculations, choosing the right POS Quebec system means understanding provincial compliance requirements. This guide covers POS hardware for Quebec restaurants and retailers, with specific focus on bilingual functionality and Quebec-specific compliance.
Bill 96: what it means for your POS system
Bill 96 affects POS Quebec businesses by requiring’s Charter of the French Language. For businesses, the key requirement is that French must be at least as prominent as any other language in all customer-facing communications. This directly affects POS hardware in three ways.
Looking for POS solutions outside Quebec? See our comprehensive Canadian POS solutions guide covering all provinces.
Receipts must be French-first
Every printed receipt in Quebec must display French at least as prominently as English. In practice, this means:
- Product names should appear in French first, or in French only, on the receipt
- Tax labels should read “TPS” (not “GST”) and “TVQ” (not “QST”) on French receipts
- Header and footer text (store name, return policy, promotional messages) must be in French or bilingual with French first
- “Merci / Thank you” — if bilingual, French appears first or in a larger font
Your POS software generates the receipt content. The hardware requirement is a printer that produces clean, readable text with proper French characters (accents: é, è, ê, ë, à, ç, etc.). SUNMI terminals with built-in 80 mm thermal printers handle French character encoding correctly through their Android OS.
Customer-facing screens must support French
If your POS terminal has a customer-facing display (CFD), the content shown to customers — item names, prices, totals, payment prompts — must be available in French. Bill 96 requires French to be at least as prominent as English.
SUNMI terminals with dual-screen setups (T3 Pro, D3 Pro, T2s with CFD) support French on the customer-facing display through the POS software’s language settings.
Self-ordering kiosks need French-first interfaces
Self-ordering kiosks in Quebec must default to French or present a bilingual language selection screen with French first. The menu items, customization options, payment prompts, and printed receipt must all be available in French.
Quebec’s two-line tax: GST + QST
Quebec does not use HST. Instead, Quebec businesses collect two separate taxes:
| Tax | French label | Rate | Calculated on |
|---|---|---|---|
| GST (TPS) | Taxe sur les produits et services | 5% | Sale price |
| QST (TVQ) | Taxe de vente du Québec | 9.975% | Sale price (since 2013, QST is no longer calculated on GST-included amount) |
| Combined | 14.975% |
Your POS receipt must show two separate tax lines. A receipt for a $20.00 item in Quebec should display:
Sous-total / Subtotal $20.00
TPS/GST (5%) $1.00
TVQ/QST (9.975%) $2.00
Total $23.00
The QST is calculated on the pre-tax sale price ($20.00 × 9.975% = $1.995, rounded to $2.00), not on the GST-included amount. Your POS software must handle this calculation correctly.
Tax-exempt items in Quebec
Some items are QST-exempt or zero-rated in Quebec:
- Basic groceries (unprocessed food, bread, milk, eggs) — zero-rated for both GST and QST
- Prescription drugs — zero-rated
- Children’s clothing and footwear — QST-exempt
- Books — QST-exempt (unique to Quebec among Canadian provinces)
Your POS software must flag these categories correctly. The hardware supports whatever tax logic the software implements.
MEV compliance for Quebec restaurants
Quebec restaurants face an additional requirement: the Module d’enregistrement des ventes (MEV), also known as the Sales Recording Module. Revenu Québec requires restaurants to use a certified MEV device or MEV-compatible POS system that records every transaction and transmits data to Revenu Québec.
What is MEV?
The MEV system is Quebec’s fiscal compliance mechanism for restaurants. It ensures that all sales are recorded and reported, preventing unreported cash transactions. Every Quebec restaurant must either:
1. Use a standalone MEV device connected to their POS system, or
2. Use a MEV-WEB certified POS system that transmits transaction data directly to Revenu Québec through the internet
How SUNMI terminals work with MEV
SUNMI terminals are Android-based hardware platforms. MEV compliance is achieved through the POS software running on the device. Several Quebec-focused POS software providers have MEV-WEB certification and run on SUNMI hardware. When you order SUNMI terminals for a Quebec restaurant through Rosper, we connect you with ISV partners who have MEV-WEB certification.
MEV requirements at a glance
- Every restaurant transaction must be recorded through the MEV
- The MEV generates a unique transaction number printed on the receipt
- Receipts must include the restaurant’s MEV registration number
- Data is transmitted to Revenu Québec electronically
- Random audits verify compliance
Non-compliance can result in fines starting at $1,000 per day.
POS Quebec hardware: SUNMI recommendations
Restaurants in Quebec: SUNMI T3 Pro
The SUNMI T3 Pro is the recommended POS terminal for Quebec restaurants that need bilingual capability, MEV compliance, and Interac Flash payments.
- 15.6-inch FHD display — large enough for complex menus with French and English item names
- Built-in NFC — Interac Flash for debit, plus Visa payWave and Mastercard Contactless
- 6 GB RAM / 128 GB storage — runs MEV-certified POS software with room for growth
- Dual-screen option — customer-facing display shows French-first content
- Android GMS-EDLA — supports Quebec POS software from Google Play
The T3 Pro Max variant adds a built-in 80 mm printer for French-formatted receipts with proper accent characters.
Quick-service in Quebec: SUNMI D3 Pro
Quebec’s QSR market — from Montreal smoked meat delis to Quebec City casse-croûtes — needs fast, bilingual checkout. The SUNMI D3 Pro fits.
- 15.6-inch FHD cashier screen — rapid order entry in French or English
- Optional NFC customer-facing display — customers see French-first prompts and tap Interac Flash
- Compact footprint — fits Quebec’s characteristically compact restaurant counters
Retail in Quebec: SUNMI T2s
Quebec retailers — from boutiques on Rue Saint-Denis to depanneurs across the province — need clean, bilingual POS hardware. The SUNMI T2s provides:
- Dual-screen layout — French-first customer display with product names and loyalty prompts
- 15-inch main display — enough room for bilingual product catalogs
- Proven reliability — stable all-day operation for retail environments
Self-ordering kiosks in Quebec: SUNMI K2
Quebec QSR chains deploying self-ordering kiosks use the SUNMI K2:
- French-first language selector — kiosk defaults to French or shows French prominently on the language selection screen
- 15.6″ or 24″ touchscreen — full bilingual menu display with food photos
- Built-in NFC — Interac Flash payments
- Built-in printer — receipt prints in the customer’s selected language
Mobile and tableside in Quebec: SUNMI V3 MIX
For terrasse dining (Montreal’s famous summer patios) and food trucks at festivals like the Festival d’été de Québec, the SUNMI V3 MIX provides:
- Portable 10-inch touchscreen — tableside ordering and payment in French
- Built-in NFC — Interac Flash at the table
- Built-in 80 mm printer — French-formatted receipts with TPS/TVQ lines
- 4G connectivity — works on festival grounds without Wi-Fi
Configuring your POS Quebec terminal
Step 1: Set Android system language to French
Set the device language to French (Canada) in Android settings. This ensures system-level prompts, keyboards, and default text appear in French.
Step 2: Install MEV-certified POS software (restaurants)
Choose POS software that holds MEV-WEB certification from Revenu Québec. Install it from Google Play Store (SUNMI terminals are GMS-EDLA certified) or sideload from your software provider.
Step 3: Configure GST + QST tax rates
Set up two tax lines in your POS software:
- TPS (GST): 5%
- TVQ (QST): 9.975%
Verify that QST is calculated on the pre-tax amount, not the GST-included amount.
Step 4: Set up bilingual product names
Enter product names and descriptions in French (primary) and English (secondary). Your POS software should display French first on receipts and customer-facing screens.
Step 5: Configure receipt formatting
Customize receipt headers, footers, and promotional text in French or bilingual French-first format. Include your MEV registration number (restaurants) and proper TPS/TVQ tax labels.
Step 6: Test
Run test transactions and verify:
- French appears at least as prominently as English on receipts
- TPS and TVQ are calculated correctly as two separate lines
- Customer-facing display shows French-first content
- MEV transaction numbers appear on restaurant receipts
Quebec payment processors
| Processor | Strength in Quebec |
|---|---|
| Desjardins | Dominant in Quebec, full Interac + credit support, French-first service |
| Moneris | Large national presence, bilingual support |
| Global Payments | Multi-location chains spanning Quebec and other provinces |
| TD Merchant Solutions | Integrated with TD Bank Quebec operations |
| National Bank (Paiements NBC) | Quebec-headquartered, strong local presence |
Desjardins is the most common choice for Quebec businesses. Their merchant services are designed for the Quebec market with native French support.
Why Rosper for Quebec businesses
Quebec businesses looking to buy SUNMI POS terminals from an authorized distributor can order from Rosper, which ships from Brampton, Ontario. While the warehouse is in Ontario, shipping to Quebec is domestic — no cross-border issues, no duties, and delivery typically in 3-5 business days for Montreal, Quebec City, and other major centres.
- Bilingual support — Rosper understands Quebec’s language compliance requirements
- ISV partner connections — we connect you with POS software providers who have MEV-WEB certification and bilingual interfaces
- 3-year warranty through SUNMI Care
- Volume pricing for multi-location Quebec chains
Request a quote and specify that you need Quebec-compliant POS setup. We will recommend hardware and connect you with certified software partners.
Frequently asked questions
Does SUNMI POS hardware support French for Quebec’s Bill 96?
Yes. SUNMI terminals run Android with full French (Canada) language support. Bilingual receipt formatting, French customer-facing displays, and French-first kiosk interfaces are all handled by the POS software running on the device. The hardware supports French characters including accents (é, è, ê, à, ç).
How do I set up GST and QST on a SUNMI POS terminal?
Tax configuration happens in your POS software. Set up two tax lines: TPS (GST) at 5% and TVQ (QST) at 9.975%. Make sure QST is calculated on the pre-tax amount. Your receipt should display two separate tax lines.
Do SUNMI terminals work with Desjardins payment processing?
Yes. SUNMI terminals integrate with Desjardins through certified POS software. Rosper’s ISV partner network includes providers with Desjardins certification on SUNMI hardware.
What is MEV and do I need it for my Quebec restaurant?
MEV (Module d’enregistrement des ventes) is Quebec’s mandatory fiscal compliance system for restaurants. It records every transaction and transmits data to Revenu Québec. You need either a standalone MEV device or MEV-WEB certified POS software. SUNMI terminals run MEV-WEB certified POS applications.
Can SUNMI kiosks display French-first menus for Quebec QSR?
Yes. The SUNMI K2 and CPad run self-ordering software that supports French-first language configuration. The kiosk can default to French or present a bilingual language selector with French prominently displayed, complying with Bill 96.
Does Rosper ship SUNMI terminals to Quebec?
Yes. Rosper ships from Brampton, Ontario to all Quebec addresses. Delivery is domestic (no cross-border duties) and typically takes 3-5 business days for Montreal and Quebec City.
Are receipts from SUNMI printers compatible with Quebec’s bilingual requirements?
Yes. SUNMI’s built-in 80 mm thermal printers support French character encoding including all accented characters. Receipt content and formatting are controlled by your POS software, which should be configured for French-first bilingual output.