What is a Merchant Category Code (MCC)?

A merchant category code (MCC) is a 4 digit number used to classify businesses by the type of goods and services they offer.  The MCC is the main category in which the merchant does business.  Some businesses might have more than one appropriate MCC, but the primary one is usually the one that represents the highest portion of their business.  Many times, MCC codes are used to evaluate the risk profile of the merchant and may affect underwriting, approval, and the rates that merchants receive.  Card issuers also use MCC codes to determine rewards that are specific to certain business types.  MCC’s are defined using a standard called ISO 18245.Here is a current (2020) list of merchant category codes (MCC):

MCC CodesMERCHANT TYPE
4814Fax services
4814Telecommunication Services including but not limited to prepaid phone services and recurring phone 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, 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
MCC CodesMERCHANT TYPE
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
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
MCC CodesMERCHANT TYPE
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 (No longer permitted for .S. original presentments)
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
MCC CodesMERCHANT TYPE
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 Camp Grounds
7210Laundry, Cleaning, and Garment Services
7211Laundry – 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 classifies)
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 Re – treading 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
MCC CodesMERCHANT TYPE
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)

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