High risk business

MCC 5964

Direct Marketing—Catalogue Merchants

Merchants that initiate direct contact with consumers and are often described as mail-order houses or as the mail-order industry. Such merchants offer their merchandise via catalogs, and accept merchandise orders exclusively via mail, phone, fax, electronic commerce, or other non–face-to-face methods. A paper catalog is a multi-page document that is sent (mailed, faxed, or otherwise delivered) directly to a consumer. An electronic catalog displays merchandise via cable TV or as videotext on an Internet site Catalogs display and describe merchandise and include a mail-order form, phone number, or Internet site address for placing orders. Flyers and brochures are not considered catalogs. A manufacturer with a pricing catalog is not considered a direct marketing catalog merchant.

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Disclaimer : The Merchant Category Code (MCC) provided is based on the official classifications from Visa and Mastercard, supplemented by insights from Risk & Compliance experts. The final determination and allocation of MCCs remain the responsibility of the payment service provider licensed by Visa and Mastercard. This recommendation is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as definitive or binding guidance.

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Merchant Category Code (MCC): Everything you need to know

What's an MCC?

A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit number assigned to merchants by acquiring banks when a merchant account is created. This code categorizes your business based on the goods or services you offer and is recognized by payment networks like Visa and Mastercard.

Who assigns MCCs?

MCCs are assigned by your acquiring bank, following guidelines set by card networks such as Visa and Mastercard. While these guidelines are clear, assigning the right MCC often involves judgment by the acquirer. Misclassification - whether accidental or intentional - can lead to serious consequences, including penalties or disrupted payment processing.

Why do MCCs matter?

MCCs influence several critical aspects of your business operations, such as the interchange fee (amounts paid to card-issuing banks for transaction processing), merchant risk profile, spending restrictions or rewards. To determine your MCC, consider the following options: contact your payment processor, refer to payment network classification lists, or use our MCC lookup tool to find and verify your MCC.

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Browse the Merchant Category Code (MCC) database to discover they mean for your business.

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