Precious Stones, Metals, Watches & Jewellery.
Wholesale of jewellery, gemstones and precious metals.
- MCC
- 5094
- Category
- Retail Outlets
- Cardflo support
- Yes
What MCC 5094 covers
Merchant Category Code 5094 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for precious stones, metals, watches & jewellery. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Wholesale of jewellery, gemstones and precious metals. Choosing the right MCC is critical: an incorrect code can lead to higher interchange, surcharges, or, in regulated categories, declined transactions and account holds.
MCC 5094 identifies wholesale distributors of precious stones, metals, watches, and jewellery. This sector typically serves independent jewellers, bespoke designers, and high-end retail chains.
Transactions are generally of high value, often ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds, and can be infrequent, dependent on market demand and inventory cycles. Given the high value, these businesses often have stringent security measures.
Chargeback potential, while not high in volume, carries significant financial risk due to the product value. Common disputes might include 'goods not as described' if authenticity or quality is questioned, or 'item not received' for high-value shipments.
Fraud is a significant concern, with fraudsters attempting to acquire high-value items via stolen card details.
Rigorous KYC/KYB for B2B clients, secure logistics, and comprehensive insurance are essential. Cardflo provides robust fraud prevention tools and a secure payment gateway capable of handling high-value transactions, along with expert support for navigating potential disputes related to authenticity or delivery.
Merchants in precious goods should implement multi-layered fraud prevention tools. Favour payment methods that offer strong authentication, like 3DS2, to shift liability for CNP transactions.
Be prepared for enhanced acquirer scrutiny, including potential rolling reserves, due to the high-value nature of items. Ensure robust KYC checks on high-value B2B customers.
Detailed product descriptions and high-resolution imagery are paramount. For shipping, use insured, trackable delivery services with signature confirmation.
Carefully manage inventory and order fulfilment processes to minimise 'item not received' or 'not as described' claims, which carry significant financial weight.
Acquirer and acquirer assessment stance.
Medium-risk standard board with monitoring. Due to the high-value nature of goods, fraud monitoring is enhanced.
A small rolling reserve (e. g. , 5-10% for 90-180 days) may be suggested, especially for newer merchants or those with international trade.
Dispute and chargeback profile.
The primary chargeback risks are '4853 (goods or services not as described)' if quality or authenticity is disputed, and '13.1 (merchandise not received)' due to the high value of items. For 4853, provide expert certification, clear product imagery, and detailed specifications agreed at order.
For 13.1, submit comprehensive shipping documentation, including insured courier details, tracking history showing delivery to the correct address, and a signature confirmation, ideally with photo ID verification where available.
See also: chargeback management · payment response codes · Compelling Evidence 3.0.
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How Cardflo handles MCC 5094
- Placement with acquirers that actively board MCC 5094 businesses in your region.
- High-volume, low-ticket processing tuned for retail authorisation patterns.
- Omnichannel routing across in-store, e-commerce and click-and-collect.
- EMV, contactless and wallet acceptance enabled on a single integration.
- Refund, void and partial-capture flows aligned with retail operations.
- Dedicated onboarding manager experienced with multi-location retail brands.
Payment methods typically enabled.
Onboarding checklist.
What acquirers typically ask to see when boarding MCC 5094. Cardflo collects this once and reuses it across every acquirer we route you through.
- Business registration and beneficial-owner documentation (KYB, UBO).
- Six months of processing statements or bank statements demonstrating in-store and e-commerce split.
- Refund, exchange and returns policy visible at point of sale and on the website.
- PCI DSS SAQ appropriate to the environment (A, A-EP or D as relevant).
- Store-front address list for multi-location operators.
- Chargeback ratio and dispute history covering the last six months, including any Visa or Mastercard monitoring-programme status.
See also: Know Your Customer (KYC) · high-risk merchant · smart routing.
Talk to an acquiring specialist about your MID setup.
Common questions
What fraud prevention measures are critical for high-value goods in MCC 5094?
Critical fraud prevention measures include thorough Know Your Business (KYB) checks for new wholesale clients, mandatory 3D Secure for all card transactions, and advanced fraud scoring tools.
For very high-value orders, consider manual review, IP address geolocation checks, and verifying the shipping address against business records. Bank transfers are often preferred for their irrevocability.
How can authenticity disputes be managed for precious goods?
Authenticity disputes can be managed by providing detailed certificates of authenticity with every item, including clear descriptions, hallmarks, and GIA/IGI reports where applicable.
Documenting the item's condition with high-resolution photographs or videos before shipping, and having an expert verify authenticity before dispatch, provides strong evidence in disputes.
Are there specific logistics requirements for shipping precious metals/jewellery?
Yes, shipping precious metals and jewellery requires specialised, insured couriers with secure chain-of-custody protocols. Most general carriers have limitations on high-value items.
Merchants should ensure packages are discreet, require signature on delivery, and are fully insured for replacement value. Tracking and proof of delivery are essential for chargeback defence, especially 'item not received' claims.
What specific authentication strategies are most effective for high-value wholesale transactions of precious metals and jewellery to mitigate fraud?
For high-value wholesale transactions, employ strong customer authentication. Implement 3DS2 for card-not-present payments, leveraging dynamic data points to either authenticate or shift liability.
Beyond this, conduct thorough KYB checks on new B2B clients, verifying business registration, ownership, and trade references.
For repeat customers, analyse purchasing patterns and flag unusual orders, requesting additional verification like a callback to a registered business number or bank wire confirmation for exceptionally large sums. Consider requiring identity verification upon delivery for the most valuable shipments to further reduce fraud risk.
How should wholesale precious goods merchants best document product authenticity and condition to defend against 'not as described' chargebacks?
To counter 'not as described' claims, meticulous documentation is essential. For each item, maintain detailed inventory records, including gemmological certificates, assay reports for metals, and original manufacturer details for watches.
Before shipping, take high-resolution, date-stamped photographs or video of the specific items, showcasing their condition and any unique characteristics. Ensure your online descriptions are accurate and comprehensive, clearly stating grading, dimensions, and materials.
Provide copies of all relevant certifications with the shipment and keep digital archives easily accessible for chargeback defence, proving the item matched the description at the point of sale.
Other MCCs in Retail Outlets
Related industries.
Related guides.
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