Merchant Category Codes (MCC): What Merchants Should Know

What an MCC is

Visa's Merchant Data Standards Manual, a supplement to the Visa Core Rules, says the MCC is a four-digit number assigned to describe a merchant's primary business based on annual sales volume measured in local currency, and that some MCCs identify a specific merchant or type of transaction. Visa says it and its members use MCC data for a range of purposes, including activity tracking, reporting and risk management. It also says it is an important requirement that acquirers and their agents assign the correct MCC to each merchant, and that Visa retains the right to require corrections.

Who assigns it

Visa's Core Rules (section 1.5.1.11, April 2026 edition) say that, unless otherwise required by law, an acquirer must assign each merchant outlet the MCC that most accurately describes its business. If you work through a payment facilitator, Visa's rules say the acquirer must ensure the payment facilitator uses the appropriate MCC for each sponsored merchant. You do not pick the code yourself, but you can ask your provider which MCC is on your account and why.

Examples from Visa's MCC list

Visa's manual lists every MCC with a title and description. A few common examples are below, with Visa's titles. Visa says miscellaneous codes, usually ending in 99, should only be used when no MCC specific to the business applies.

Businesses with more than one line of business

Visa's manual says that if a merchant has more than one line of business and may qualify for more than one MCC, it must either use the MCC for the business with the highest sales volume for all Visa sales, or use different MCCs for each line of business. Merchants with several outlets must choose the right MCC for each outlet, and an ecommerce website is a merchant location in itself. Where different businesses operate on the same premises, each must get its own MCC if it operates under a different name, in a distinct area, or with separate points of sale. Visa's example is a flower shop inside a hotel, which should be classified as MCC 5992 (Florists).

When more than one MCC is mandatory

Visa's Core Rules say an acquirer must assign two or more MCCs to a merchant outlet that has deployed an automated fuel dispenser and also sells fuel or other goods or services face to face, or where separate lines of business are at the same outlet and a separate merchant agreement exists for each, the outlets display different merchant names, one line is designated by Visa as a High-Integrity Risk Merchant, or an ecommerce site links to a separate website that qualifies for a different MCC. Visa's manual gives examples: a merchant that deploys automated fuel dispensers must use MCC 5542 for those transactions and the appropriate MCC for its other sales, and a merchant that sells quasi-cash, such as cryptocurrency, must use MCC 6051 for those transactions.

Why the code matters to you

Your MCC is part of the data sent with every transaction, and Visa's rules use MCCs to decide what some merchants may do. For example, Visa's rules list the US MCCs permitted to charge a Visa service fee: 4900 (Utilities), 8211 (Elementary and Secondary Schools), 8220 (Colleges and Universities), 8244 (Business and Secretarial Schools), 8249 (Vocational and Trade Schools), 9211 (Court Costs), 9222 (Fines), 9311 (Tax Payments) and 9399 (Government Services). Visa's US interchange schedule (18 April 2026) also includes industry-named programs, such as Restaurant, Supermarket, Charity, Government and Education, and says to reference Visa's rate qualification guide for complete details. Ask your processor which programs your MCC is eligible for rather than assuming.

Merchant name and MCC must line up

Visa's manual says that when a merchant name is inconsistent with its MCC, the name must include extra information that tells the cardholder what kind of business it is. Visa's examples: a parking garage called John's Farm should appear as John's Farm Parking, and a restaurant called Ship Chandler as Ship Chandler Restaurant. A clear descriptor helps customers recognize the charge on their statement.

If you think your MCC is wrong

Ask your processor or acquirer, in writing, which MCC is assigned to each of your locations and websites, and give them a plain description of what you sell and the share of sales from each line of business. The acquirer decides whether to change it under the card network rules. New MCCs are a separate matter: Visa's manual says members, not merchants, request new MCCs or changes to existing ones by submitting a form to Visa. Other networks, such as Mastercard, publish their own rules, so check those for the cards you accept.