List of MCC codes & risk levels — Retail, e-commerce, travel, gambling, crypto, and more

Merchant category codes (MCCs) are four-digit numeric codes assigned by credit card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. These codes classify businesses based on the products or services they provide. Understanding your MCC code is essential because it directly affects:

1) Payment processing fees

Businesses categorised under high-risk MCCs typically pay higher transaction fees due to increased fraud exposure and chargeback rates. Payment processors impose these fees to mitigate potential financial losses from disputed transactions.

2) Chargeback monitoring

Industries with historically high chargeback rates, such as subscription services, travel, and luxury retail, face stricter monitoring. If a business exceeds a certain chargeback threshold, it could be placed on industry watchlists, such as the Visa and Mastercard Excessive Chargeback Program, leading to fines or account termination.

3) Regulatory compliance

Certain industries, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, gambling, and financial services, must comply with stringent know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. These rules help prevent fraud, identity theft, and illicit transactions. Businesses in these sectors must ensure their payment processing methods align with regulatory guidelines to avoid penalties.

4) Payment approvals and restrictions

Some MCCs are blocked or restricted by certain banks and payment processors due to high fraud risks or regulatory concerns. For example, online gambling, adult content, and firearms sales often require specialised high-risk merchant accounts. Businesses operating in restricted categories must work with payment providers that support their industry to prevent transaction declines and account closures.

Download the complete MCC code list

This file contains a detailed list of MCCs across multiple industries, including retail, e-commerce, travel, gambling, digital goods, financial services, and more. Each MCC is categorised by risk level, helping businesses understand chargeback exposure, fraud risks, and payment processing implications.

Use this guide to identify your MCC code, assess risk levels, and optimise your payment processing strategy.

📥 Download the MCC Code List (PDF)

Why this MCC guide matters

Whether you’re launching a new business, optimising your payment strategy, or reassessing your current MCC classification, understanding how these codes impact your transactions is essential.

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of MCC codes across multiple industries, helping merchants:

• Identify high-risk classifications that could lead to higher processing fees.
• Implement strategies to reduce chargebacks and prevent fraud.
• Optimise payment processing for better approval rates and lower fees.

Download the complete MCC Code List

This file contains a detailed list of MCCs across multiple industries, including retail, e-commerce, travel, gambling, digital goods, financial services, and more. Each MCC is categorised by risk level, helping businesses understand chargeback exposure, fraud risks, and payment processing implications.

Use this guide to identify your MCC code, assess risk levels, and optimise your payment processing strategy.

How to use this MCC guide effectively

1) Identify your MCC code

Your merchant account statement or payment processor should list your assigned MCC. If you’re unsure, contact your payment provider to confirm your classification.

2) Assess your risk level

If your business operates in a high-risk category, you may face higher processing fees, stricter monitoring, and increased fraud exposure. Understanding your risk level helps you take proactive steps to minimise potential chargebacks and compliance issues.

3) Request reclassification (if necessary)

Many businesses are placed under an incorrect MCC, leading to higher transaction fees or restricted payment processing options. If your MCC does not accurately represent your business, work with your payment processor to request a reclassification. Providing proper documentation can help reduce fees and improve transaction approval rates.

4) Implement chargeback prevention strategies

Chargebacks can significantly impact a business’s bottom line, especially in high-risk industries. To minimise disputes and fraud-related losses, businesses should:

• Use fraud detection tools that flag suspicious transactions before they are processed.
• Implement clear refund and dispute policies to prevent customers from filing chargebacks unnecessarily.
• Offer multiple secure payment options, such as 3D Secure authentication, to enhance transaction security.

5) Leverage Avoided.io for real-time fraud and chargeback alerts

One of the most effective ways to prevent chargebacks before they occur is by using a real-time fraud monitoring system. Avoided.io provides near real-time fraud detection and chargeback alerts, enabling businesses to:

• Detect fraudulent transactions before they result in disputes.
• Identify and respond to potential chargebacks early, reducing revenue losses.
• Gain valuable insights into chargeback trends, helping merchants optimise their risk management strategies.

With advanced machine learning algorithms and industry-leading fraud prevention tools, avoided.io helps businesses in high-risk industries process payments more securely while reducing unnecessary disputes and chargeback fees.

6) Choose the right payment processor

Not all payment processors support high-risk MCCs. Some industries, such as gambling, cryptocurrency, adult content, and travel, may require a specialised payment solution that understands industry-specific risks. By choosing the right processor, merchants can:

• Lower processing fees.
• Improve transaction approval rates.
• Reduce fraud exposure and chargeback liability.

Next steps

For businesses struggling with chargeback management, fraud prevention, or high-risk MCC classifications, working with a specialised payment processor and fraud monitoring service like avoided.io can make a significant difference.

By leveraging the right tools and strategies, merchants can protect their revenue, maintain compliance, and optimise payment processing efficiency.