Merchant category codes (MCC), the UK guide for businesses

The codes are a shared standard, so most are the same across the card schemes. There are small differences in naming and in the rules attached to some codes. This guide uses the common four digit codes UK businesses come across.

Yes, and it is more common than people think. A business coded as general retail that sells a specialist product can be restricted later when the mix is noticed. Describe your business accurately when you apply and tell your provider when it changes.

Some banks let customers block whole categories, and some card issuers restrict certain categories on certain cards. If your code sits in a category the customer has blocked, the payment fails. Knowing your code helps you explain it.

Codes for cash withdrawals, lending, money transfer, insurance, gambling and government payments. eCom Pay does not process those, so they are not listed here.

It depends on what you mainly sell and how. Search the list above, read the industry guide for your sector, or ask a specialist and we will tell you which code fits before you apply.