What are merchant category codes and how do you find one?

Merchant category codes (MCCs) are four-digit classifications assigned to businesses by payment processors according to their primary goods or services, shaping how credit and debit card transactions are handled. They influence interchange and cardholder fees, reward eligibility, chargeback protection, tax considerations, cross-border processing, and assessments of merchant risk, with industries such as e-commerce, travel, and gaming often facing higher fees because of greater fraud or chargeback exposure. MCCs also help issuers impose spending restrictions on corporate cards, enable businesses to automatically classify and reconcile expenses, and provide data on customer spending patterns that can inform marketing and product strategies. Businesses and cardholders can identify an MCC through payment processors, online code directories, or credit card statements. Spend-management platforms, including Airwallex’s offerings, use MCC data to provide transaction visibility, spending controls, automated categorisation, and accounting integrations.

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