Guía de las normas de Visa y Mastercard
Comprender y cumplir los complejos conjuntos de normas de Visa y Mastercard es fundamental para mantener la capacidad de procesamiento de pagos.
Cardflo ofrece orientación experta sobre estas regulaciones en evolución, ayudando a los comercios a evitar sanciones, reducir contracargos y asegurar el cumplimiento continuo en todas las transacciones. Desmitificamos las complejidades de las normas de los esquemas.
- Categoría
- Alta
- Capacidades
- 10
- Disponible en
- Todos los planes
La visión general
Visa and Mastercard maintain extensive rulebooks that dictate every technical and operational aspect of a merchant’s relationship with the card networks.
These mandates cover technical specifications for authorisation messages, the correct use of Merchant Category Codes (MCC), and the strict handling of sensitive data under PCI DSS. For businesses, compliance is not a static state but a continuous process of adapting to biannual scheme updates.
Navigating these requirements involves understanding the hierarchy of rules where local regulations like PSD2 intersect with global network standards. Failure to adhere to these specifications can lead to non-compliance assessments, elevated interchange costs, or the eventual termination of a Merchant Identification Number (MID).
Specialist guidance ensures that transaction flows are optimised to meet issuer expectations while maintaining alignment with the latest network requirements for secure electronic commerce and recurring billing frameworks.
Cómo funciona
Analysing MCC and business models
The process begins with an analysis of the merchant's business model to assign the correct Merchant Category Code. Misclassification can lead to immediate fines from card schemes or high decline rates from issuers.
Identifying the specific MCC allows the business to align with corresponding rule sets for high-risk or specialised sectors.
Reviewing technical message specifications
Each transaction must carry specific data elements within the ISO 8583 message format. This includes fields for 3D Secure authentication data, stored credential indicators for recurring payments, and point-of-sale entry modes.
Validating these technical fields ensures that authorisation requests are not refused for technical non-compliance by the processor or issuer.
Mapping chargeback according to rules
Visa and Mastercard have distinct dispute resolution frameworks, such as the Visa Claims Resolution (VCR) and Mastercard Dispute Resolution (MDR) systems.
Systems are reviewed to ensure that response timelines, evidence requirements, and representment procedures match these network-specific protocols to minimise the impact of financial losses and administrative penalties.
Monitoring biannual scheme mandates
Card schemes release major rule updates twice a year, typically in April and October.
This step involves reviewing upcoming mandates, such as changes to interchange structures or new requirements for network tokenisation, to adjust internal logic and operational workflows before the mandates become effective and enforceable by the acquirer.
Por qué importa
Mitigating non-compliance financial assessments
Visa and Mastercard impose financial penalties, often called non-compliance assessments, for breaches of scheme rules such as excessive chargeback rates or incorrect processing of MIT transactions.
By maintaining strict adherence to the latest rulebooks, a merchant can avoid these unpredictable costs which otherwise impact the net margin of every transaction processed.
Optimising authorisation and settlement rates
Issuers use compliance with scheme rules as a proxy for transaction legitimacy. When a merchant correctly flags a transaction using network tokens or applies SCA appropriately, the issuer is more likely to authorise the payment.
Proper rule guidance directly influences the success of settlement and reduces the likelihood of transactions being flagged as fraudulent.
Casos de uso
Subscription and recurring billing
Merchants using recurring models must comply with specific mandates for Stored Credential Transactions. This involves correct flagging of citizen-initiated versus merchant-initiated transactions to ensure consistent authorisation and compliance with network rules.
Cross-border e-commerce expansion
Businesses expanding into new territories must navigate regional variations in Visa and Mastercard rules, such as specific SCA exemptions in the UK and EEA compared to non-regulated markets like the United States or Singapore.
High-risk sector processing
Merchants in high-risk categories, such as gaming or pharmaceuticals, require precise MCC assignment and enhanced monitoring to meet the more stringent reporting and collateral requirements dictated by the global card schemes.
En cifras
Standard industry thresholds for Visa and Mastercard monitoring programmes, though these vary by region and business risk profile.
The range of interchange fluctuation often seen when transaction data is not compliant with the highest level of network mandates.
Typical uplift in authorisation rates when correct scheme-compliant indicators for recurring payments are applied versus generic processing.
Términos relacionados
Talk to our team about a live rollout on your acquiring stack.
Lo que obtienes con Guía de las normas de Visa y Mastercard
- Interpretar normas y mandatos específicos de los esquemas de Visa y Mastercard.
- Asesorar sobre el cumplimiento para varios modelos de negocio y tipos de transacción.
- Orientar sobre la prevención de contracargos y la resolución de disputas según las normas del esquema.
- Ayudar con los requisitos de cumplimiento de PCI DSS exigidos por Visa y Mastercard.
- Informar sobre los próximos cambios normativos y su posible impacto en las operaciones.
- Apoyar la implementación de protocolos 3D Secure para el cumplimiento del esquema.
- Management of soft descriptors to reduce customer confusion and retrieval requests.
- Alignment with PCI DSS requirements for secure handling of primary account numbers.
- Optimisation of transaction routing to favour lower interchange through scheme-compliant data.
- Support for representment procedures to recover funds according to network dispute rules.
A short scoping call, then a written plan for your MIDs.
Preguntas sobre Guía de las normas de Visa y Mastercard
¿Por qué son importantes las normas de Visa y Mastercard para mi negocio?
Las normas de Visa y Mastercard son cruciales porque rigen todos los aspectos de los pagos con tarjeta, desde el procesamiento de transacciones hasta la prevención de fraudes y la gestión de contracargos.
El incumplimiento puede dar lugar a multas, aumento de tarifas o incluso la terminación de sus servicios de procesamiento, lo que afecta a los ingresos.
¿Con qué frecuencia actualizan Visa y Mastercard sus normas?
Visa y Mastercard actualizan regularmente sus normas, a menudo trimestral o anualmente, para adaptarse a las nuevas tecnologías, las tendencias de fraude y los cambios normativos. Cardflo supervisa estas actualizaciones y proporciona orientación proactiva para garantizar que su negocio sigue cumpliendo con los últimos mandatos.
¿Puede Cardflo ayudar a reducir mi tasa de contracargos mediante el cumplimiento de las normas?
Sí, al guiarle sobre las reglas del esquema relacionadas con la autorización de transacciones, la presentación de pruebas de disputa y las mejores prácticas de servicio al cliente,
Cardflo puede ayudar a implementar estrategias que reduzcan su tasa general de contracargos y mejoren su posición con los esquemas de tarjetas.
Are scheme rules different for card-present and card-not-present transactions?
Yes, Visa and Mastercard maintain separate rule chapters for different environments. Card-not-present (CNP) transactions face more rigorous requirements for data validation, such as CVV2 and AVS checks, due to the higher inherent risk of fraud.
Card-present rules focus more on terminal hardware standards, kernel versions, and the physical handling of the card. Understanding these distinctions is vital for omnichannel retailers who process across multiple environments.
What are Stored Credential Transaction (SCT) mandates?
Visa and Mastercard require specific indicators for any transaction where the cardholder's details are stored for future use. This involves a framework for the initial transaction (CIT) where consent is obtained, and subsequent transactions (MIT).
Correct flagging allows issuers to recognise these as legitimate recurring payments, which is essential for maintaining high authorisation rates and complying with rules designed to prevent unauthorised billing.
How often do scheme rules change and how are they communicated?
Scheme rules are updated via technical bulletins and global rulebooks, usually twice a year. Acquirers and PSPs receive these notifications first and are responsible for ensuring their merchants are informed.
However, the technical burden for implementation often falls on the merchant's developers or their payment partner. Proactive monitoring of these updates is necessary to ensure that technical integrations remain compliant with new data field requirements or security standards.
¿Listo para la velocidad?
Cuéntanos sobre tu negocio. Te pondremos en contacto con los socios adquirentes y la ruta adecuada, normalmente en una semana.