Merchant category codes for supplements, CBD and nutraceuticals
There is no single merchant category code for supplements or CBD. Sellers commonly come across 5499 for specialist food, 5999 for specialist retail and 5968 where products are sold on subscription. The right code depends on what you sell and how you sell it, and is agreed with your provider when the account is opened.
Merchant category codes for supplements and CBD
The codes businesses in this sector come across most. Your provider sets the code when your account is opened, based on what you tell them about how you trade.
| Code | Industry | More |
|---|---|---|
| 5499 | Convenience stores, delis and specialist food shops | Hospitality payments |
| 5999 | Specialist and other retail | Retail payments |
| 5968 | Subscription and continuity sellers | Recurring payments |
| 5977 | Cosmetics shops | Retail payments |
| 5912 | Pharmacies and chemists | Industry guide |
Which code supplement and CBD sellers use
A vitamin shop, a sports nutrition brand and a CBD oil seller can look identical on a website and still be very different businesses. The code chosen should describe how you trade, and it should be agreed openly at the start rather than discovered later.
Subscriptions and free trials
Subscriptions are the backbone of most supplement brands. Done well, with a clear price, a reminder before each charge and an easy way to cancel, they build loyal customers. Done badly, with a hidden subscription behind a free trial, they are the reason the whole category is treated with suspicion.
Product claims and lab reports
Honest labels and claims that stay within the rules protect a brand from complaints and disputes. For CBD, certificates of analysis that show what is in the bottle are part of trading properly.
Card payments for supplements and CBD, opinions from our specialists
Short views from our specialists, published to start a conversation. Agree or disagree, tell them on LinkedIn.
Free trials that roll into subscriptions have done more damage to supplement brands than any regulator. If your product is good, sell the first month at full price and let it earn the second.
I would go further. Subscriptions are fine, hidden subscriptions are not. A clear reminder before every renewal keeps the customers who actually want the product.
What to check in a card payments setup for supplements and CBD
Three questions worth asking any provider, and the eCom Pay answer.
Subscriptions built properly
Tokenised recurring billing with reminders and easy cancellation.
Products approved in writing
Your range recorded in your merchant agreement.
Next working day settlement
No rolling reserve held back on a growing subscription book.
Questions about merchant category codes for supplements and CBD
What MCC do supplement shops use?
Commonly 5499 for specialist food shops or 5999 for specialist retail, and 5968 where sales are mainly by subscription. It depends on your business and is agreed with your provider.
Can a CBD business get a merchant account in the UK?
Yes. CBD businesses with compliant products and proper testing are set up for card payments, online and in store.
Are supplement subscriptions high risk?
They can be when trials roll into hidden subscriptions. Clear pricing, reminders and simple cancellation keep disputes low.
More industry guides
Card payments for supplements and CBD, set up properly
Approved in 24 hours once your documents are in, settled the next working day with no rolling reserve, and a UK team on the phone 24/7.