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MCC Codes: What is My Merchant Category Code? (2024 Full List)

Credit cards stacked together

MCC codes aren’t military-related or even technical numbers. They’re little numbers that can have a big impact on how your business operates and handles payments.

Where do you find your Merchant Category Code, and what do you do once you find it?

We’ve asked our payment experts to shed light on everything you need to know about MCC codes in 2024. Whether you’re trying to find your specific code or just curious about how they work, we’ve got the full list and lots more details.

What is an MCC?

Merchant Category Codes (MCC) are four-digit numbers used by credit card companies to classify businesses based on the types of goods or services they provide.

These codes help in:

  • Processing transactions
  • Determining fee structures
  • Identifying eligibility for specific card rewards or benefits

For example, a travel agency might be assigned the MCC code 4722, which signifies “Travel Agencies and Tour Operators.” 

Or, online gambling sites, which are only illegal in the US states of Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada, might be assigned the MCC code 7995—a code that helps banks decline and prevent consumers outside of these states from participating in and using these websites.

Ultimately, understanding your MCC code is essential as it influences your payment processing rates and compliance with industry regulations.

building and a guy as a "merchant" and a credit card and some money

Other Reasons Why MCC Codes Are So Important

Understanding MCC codes goes far beyond just transaction categorization. These codes impact various aspects of financial management and security.

Don’t believe four little digits could be so important for both businesses and consumers? Take a look at just how much impact they can have.

Transaction Categorization

So, yes, MCC codes are necessary for transaction categorization. This categorization isn’t just beneficial for credit card companies, though; it also helps consumers and businesses understand spending patterns.

By analyzing these patterns, high-risk businesses, in particular, can tailor their strategies to meet customer needs better.

Aside from that, knowing your MCC code as a merchant is helpful for…

Fraud Detection

Credit card companies and financial institutions rely on MCC codes to detect potential fraud.

Unusual or unexpected transactions in specific MCC categories can trigger fraud alerts or additional security measures, protecting cardholders from unauthorized transactions.

This layer of security is essential in maintaining trust and preventing financial loss, especially if you run a high-risk business.

Business Expense Tracking

For businesses, MCC codes can be super helpful when tracking and managing expenses. They provide a detailed breakdown of where funds are spent, which is crucial for budgeting, accounting, and financial planning.

With this information, you can analyze your expenditure more accurately and make strategic decisions to optimize operations.

Compliance and Regulation

Certain industries and types of transactions are subject to specific regulations and restrictions, and MCC codes help monitor and enforce these rules.

Using MCC codes makes it easier for your business to ensure compliance with legal requirements, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.

Payment Network Operations

Finally (and perhaps most importantly if you’re a high-risk merchant), MCC codes facilitate smooth operations within payment networks like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

They help route transactions through the appropriate channels and assist in the settlement process between merchants and card issuers. The result? More efficient processing and minimized delays benefit your business and its customers.

Regardless of which card scheme or MCC code you have, keep an eye on the fees for your cards. One of the more important fees to consider as a high-risk merchant is the high-risk scheme fee, which is part of the Visa Integrity Risk Program (VIRP). This is similar to a registration fee, and you have to pay a yearly fee of $950, check for each card scheme.

Dennis Pedersen FastoPayments

Do You Need an MCC Code to Accept Payments and Acquire a Merchant Account?

Yes, you need an MCC code to accept payments and acquire a merchant account. Don’t worry, though. There’s no separate application process to get an MCC code for your business.

When you set up a merchant account with a payment processor or bank, they assign you an MCC code based on your business type. As mentioned, this code not only categorizes your transactions but also influences your:

  • Processing fees
  • Eligibility for certain credit card rewards programs
  • Compliance with industry regulations

Without an MCC code, it would be pretty tricky to properly route transactions, manage expenses, and utilize the full range of services offered by payment networks.

What If They Assign You the Wrong MCC Code?

It’s happened before, and getting assigned the wrong MCC code can be more than just a minor inconvenience. It can lead to higher processing fees and incorrect tax reporting (just to name a few of the biggest issues).

If you suspect your MCC code isn’t accurate, we recommend working to address it immediately. Contact your payment processor or bank to clarify your business activities and request a reassessment.

Be persistent. Having the correct MCC code will ensure you’re avoiding unnecessary costs and complications—two things high-risk business owners already have enough of.

A credit card behind a firewall, with digital data streams flowing around it, denoting robust security measures for high-risk payment processing.

Full List of MCC (Merchant Category Codes)

MCC CodesMerchant Type
4814Fax services
4814Telecommunication service including local and long distance calls, credit card calls, calls through the use of magnetic strip reading telephones, and fax services
4815VisaPhone
4821Telegraph services
4829Money Orders – Wire Transfer
4899Cable and other pay television (previously Cable Services)
4900Electric, Gas, Sanitary and Water Utilities
5013Motor vehicle supplies and new parts
5021Office and Commercial Furniture
5039Construction Materials, Not Elsewhere Classified
5044Office, Photographic, Photocopy, and Microfilm Equipment
5045Computers, Computer Peripheral Equipment, Software
5046Commercial Equipment, Not Elsewhere Classified
5047Medical, Dental, Ophthalmic, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies
5051Metal Service Centers and Offices
5065Electrical Parts and Equipment
5072Hardware Equipment and Supplies
5074Plumbing and Heating Equipment and Supplies
5085Industrial Supplies, Not Elsewhere Classified
5094Precious Stones and Metals, Watches and Jewelry
5099Durable Goods, Not Elsewhere Classified
5111Stationery, Office Supplies, Printing, and Writing Paper
5122Drugs, Drug Proprietors, and Druggist’s Sundries
5131Piece Goods, Notions, and Other Dry Goods
5137Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s Uniforms and Commercial Clothing
5139Commercial Footwear
5169Chemicals and Allied Products, Not Elsewhere Classified
5172Petroleum and Petroleum Products
5192Books, Periodicals, and Newspapers
5193Florists’ Supplies, Nursery Stock and Flowers
5198Paints, Varnishes, and Supplies
5199Non-durable Goods, Not Elsewhere Classified
5200Home Supply Warehouse Stores
5211Lumber and Building Materials Stores
5231Glass Stores
5231Paint and Wallpaper Stores
5231Wallpaper Stores
5251Hardware Stores
5261Nurseries- Lawn and Garden Supply Store
5271Mobile Home Dealers
5300Wholesale Clubs
5309Duty-Free Store
5310Discount Stores
 Continued…
5311Department Stores
5331Variety Stores
5399Misc. General Merchandise
5411Grocery Stores
5411Supermarkets
5422Freezer and Locker Meat Provisioners
5422Meat Provisioners- Freezer and Locker
5441Candy Stores
5441Confectionery Stores
5441Nut Stores
5451Dairy Products Stores
5462Bakeries
5499Misc. Food Stores- Convenience Stores and Specialty Markets. Including CBD products
5511Car and Truck Dealers (New and Used) Sales, Service, Repairs, Parts, and Leasing
5521Automobile and Truck Dealers (Used Only)
5531Automobile Supply Stores
5532Automotive Tire Stores
5533Automotive Parts, Accessories Stores
5541Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services)
5542Automated Fuel Dispensers
5551Boat Dealers
5561Recreational and Utility Trailers, Camp Dealers
5571Motorcycle Dealers
5592Motor Home Dealers
5598Snowmobile Dealers
5611Men’s and Boy’s Clothing and Accessories Stores
5621Women’s Ready-to-Wear Stores
5631Women’s Accessory and Specialty Shops
5641Children’s and Infant’s Wear Stores
5651Family Clothing Stores
5655Sports Apparel, Riding Apparel Stores
5661Shoe Stores
5681Furriers and Fur Shops
5691Men’s and Women’s Clothing Stores
5697Tailors, Seamstress, Mending, and Alterations
5698Wig and Toupee Stores
5699Miscellaneous Apparel and Accessory Shops
5712Furniture, Home Furnishings, and Equipment Stores, Except Appliances
5713Floor Covering Stores
5714Drapery, Window Covering and Upholstery Stores
5718Fireplace, Fireplace Screens, and Accessories Stores
5719Miscellaneous Home Furnishing Specialty Stores
 Continued…
5722Household Appliance Stores
5732Electronic Sales
5733Music Stores, Musical Instruments, Piano Sheet Music
5734Computer Software Stores
5735Record Shops
5811Caterers
5812Eating places and Restaurants
5813Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail lounges, Nightclubs and Discotheques
5814Fast Food Restaurants
5912Drug Stores and Pharmacies
5921Package Stores – Beer, Wine, and Liquor
5931Used Merchandise and Secondhand Stores
5832Antique Shops – Sales, Repairs, and Restoration Services
5933Pawn Shops and Salvage Yards
5935Wrecking and Salvage Yards
5937Antique Reproductions
5940Bicycle Shops – Sales and Service
5941Sporting Goods Stores
5942Book Stores
5943Stationery Stores, Office, and School Supply Stores
5944Watch, Clock, Jewelry, and Silverware Stores
5945Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops
5946Camera and Photographic Supply Stores
5947Card Shops, Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Shops
5948Leather Foods Stores
5949Sewing, Needle, Fabric, and Price Goods Stores
5950Glassware/Crystal Stores
5960Direct Marketing – Insurance Service
5961Mail Order Houses, Including Catalog Order Stores, Book/Record Clubs
5962Direct Marketing—Travel-Related Arrangements Services
5963Door-to-Door Sales
5964Direct Marketing – Catalog Merchant
5965Direct Marketing – Catalog and Catalog and Retail Merchant Direct Marketing – Outbound Telemarketing Merchant
5967Direct Marketing -Inbound Teleservices Merchant
5968Direct Marketing – Continuity/Subscription Merchant
5969Direct Marketing – Not Elsewhere Classified
5970Artist’s Supply and Craft Shops
5971Art Dealers and Galleries
5972Stamp and Coin Stores – Philatelic and Numismatic Supplies
5973Religious Goods Stores
5975Hearing Aids—Sales, Service, and Supply Stores
5976Orthopedic Goods Prosthetic Devices
5977Cosmetic Stores
5978Typewriter Stores—Sales, Rental, Service
5983Fuel—Fuel Oil, Wood, Coal, Liquefied Petroleum
5992Florists
5993Cigar Stores and Stands
5994News Dealers and Newsstands
5995Pet Shops, Pet Foods, and Supplies Stores
5996Swimming Pools – Sales, Service, and Supplies
5997Electric Razor Stores – Sales and Service
5998Tent and Awning Shops
5999Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Stores
6010Financial Institutions—Manual Cash Disbursements
6011Financial Institutions—Manual Cash Disbursements
6012Financial Institutions—Merchandise and Services
6051Non-Financial Institutions—Foreign Currency, Money Orders (not wire transfer), and Travelers Cheques
6211Security Brokers/Dealers
6300Insurance Sales, Underwriting, and Premiums
 Continued…
6381Insurance Premiums (no longer valid for first presentment work)
6399Insurance, Not Elsewhere Classified (no longer valid for first presentment work)
7011Lodging—Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified)
7012Timeshares
7032Sporting and Recreational Camps
7033Trailer Parks and Campgrounds
7210Laundry, Cleaning, and Garment Services
7211Laundy—Family and Commercial
7216Dry Cleaners
7217Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
7221Photographic Studios
7230Barber and Beauty Shops
7251Shop Repair Shops and Shoe Shine Parlors, and Hat Cleaning Shops
7261Funeral Service and Crematories
7273Dating and Escort Services
7276Tax Preparation Service
7277Counseling Service—Debt, Marriage, Personal
7278Buying/Shopping Services, Clubs
7296Clothing Rental—Costumes, Formal Wear, Uniforms
7297Massage Parlors
7298Health and Beauty Shops
7299Miscellaneous Personal Services (not elsewhere classified)
7311Advertising Services
7321Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies
7332Blueprinting and Photocopying Services
7333Commercial Photography, Art and Graphics
7338Quick Copy, Reproduction and Blueprinting Services
7339Stenographic and Secretarial Support Services
7342Disinfecting Services
7342Exterminating and Disinfecting Services
7349Cleaning and Maintenance, Janitorial Services
7361Employment Agencies, Temporary Help Services
7372Computer Programming, Integrated Systems Design, and Data Processing Services
7375Information Retrieval Services
7379Computer Maintenance and Repair Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
7392Management, Consulting, and Public Relations Services
7393Protective and Security Services—Including Armored Cars and Guard Dogs
7394Equipment Rental and Leasing Services, Tool Rental, Furniture Rental, and Appliance Rental
7395Photofinishing Laboratories, Photo Developing
7399Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
7512Car Rental Companies (Not Listed Below)
7513Truck and Utility Trailer Rentals
7519Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rentals
7523Automobile Parking Lots and Garages
7531Automotive Body Repair Shops
7534Tire Retreading and Repair Shops
7535Paint Shops—Automotive
7538Automotive Service Shops
7542Car Washes
7549Towing Services
7622Radio Repair Shops
7623Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Repair Shops
7629Electrical And Small Appliance Repair Shops
7631Watch, Clock, and Jewelry Repair
7641Furniture, Furniture Repair, and Furniture Refinishing
7692Welding Repair
7699Repair Shops and Related Services—Miscellaneous
7829Motion Pictures and Video Tape Production and Distribution
7832Motion Picture Theaters
7841Video Tape Rental Stores
7911Dance Halls, Studios and Schools
7922Theatrical Producers (Except Motion Pictures), Ticket Agencies
7929Bands. Orchestras, and Miscellaneous Entertainers (Not Elsewhere Classified)
7932Billiard and Pool Establishments
7933Bowling Alleys
7941Commercial Sports, Athletic Fields, Professional Sport Clubs, and Sport Promoters
7991Tourist Attractions and Exhibits
7992Golf Courses—Public
7993Video Amusement Game Supplies
7994Video Game Arcades/Establishments
7995Betting (including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off – track Betting and Wagers)
7996Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers
 Continued…
7997Membership Clubs (Sports, Recreation, Athletic), Country Clubs, and Private Golf Courses
7998Aquariums, Sea—Aquariums, Dolphinariums
7999Recreation Services (Not Elsewhere Classified)
8011Doctors and Physicians (Not Elsewhere Classified)
8021Dentists and Orthodontists
8031Osteopaths
8041Chiropractors
8042Optometrists and Ophthalmologists
8043Opticians, Opticians Goods and Eyeglasses
8044Opticians, Optical Goods, and Eyeglasses (no longer valid for first presentments)
8049Podiatrists and Chiropodists
8050Nursing and Personal Care Facilities
8062Hospitals
8071Medical and Dental Laboratories
8099Medical Services and Health Practitioners (Not Elsewhere Classified)
8111Legal Services and Attorneys
8211Elementary and Secondary Schools
8220Colleges, Junior Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
8241Correspondence Schools
8244Business and Secretarial Schools
8249Vocational Schools and Trade Schools
8299Schools and Educational Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified)
8351Child Care Services
8398Charitable and Social Service Organizations
8641Civic, Fraternal, and Social Associations
8651Political Organizations
8661Religious Organizations
8675Automobile Associations
8699Membership Organizations (Not Elsewhere Classified)
8734Testing Laboratories (non-medical)
8911Architectural—Engineering and Surveying Services
8931Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping Services
8999Professional Services (Not Elsewhere Defined)
9211Court Costs, including Alimony and Child Support
9222Fines
9223Bail and Bond Payments
9311Tax Payments
9399Government Services ( Not Elsewhere Classified)
9402Postal Services—Government Only
9405Intra – Government Transactions
9700Automated Referral Service (For Visa Only)
9701Visa Credential Service (For Visa Only)
9702GCAS Emergency Services (For Visa Only)
9950Intra-Company Purchases (For Visa Only)

💡 Remember, you don’t register for an MCC yourself. Instead, when you set up a merchant account with a bank or payment processor, they assign an MCC based on the primary nature of your business.

Note that people often confuse MCC codes with merchant ID numbers. You also don’t have to apply for a merchant ID number, as they’ll assign one to you when opening a bank account with a merchant acquirer.

Other Common Questions About Merchant Category Codes

Still have questions? Our team of payment experts likely has the answers. Below, we address some common questions to help clarify how these codes impact your business operations.

How Do MCC Codes Affect High-Risk Merchants?

As a high-risk merchant, your MCC code can significantly impact your processing fees and the level of scrutiny your transactions receive.

High-risk categories often face higher fees due to increased risk factors such as chargebacks and fraud. Therefore, it’s important to check your MCC code to ensure it accurately reflects your business type.

Can I Change My MCC Code?

Yes, you can request a change to your MCC code if you believe it doesn’t accurately represent your business.

Contact your payment processor or bank with a detailed explanation of your services. They’ll review your request and make adjustments if necessary.

Why Are Some Businesses Classified as High-Risk?

As you likely know by now, certain industries are deemed high-risk due to factors like:

  • High chargeback rates
  • Regulatory requirements
  • The nature of the products and services offered

Examples include travel agencies, subscription services, and adult entertainment. Being classified as high-risk affects your MCC code, which in turn impacts your processing fees and compliance requirements.

How Can I Ensure My Business Is Assigned the Correct MCC Code?

When setting up your merchant account, provide accurate and detailed information about your business to ensure you have the correct MCC code.

Review your statements regularly to confirm that transactions are categorized correctly. If you notice discrepancies, act promptly to resolve them by contacting your payment processor or bank.

How FastoPayments Can Help

Now that you know what your MCC code is, the only thing stopping you from getting started is to reach out to FastoPayments so we can get you all set up with a high-risk merchant account!

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