Miscellaneous General Merchandise
General merchandise retailers not elsewhere classified.
What MCC 5399 covers
Merchant Category Code 5399 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for miscellaneous general merchandise. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
General merchandise retailers not elsewhere classified. Choosing the right MCC is critical: an incorrect code can lead to higher interchange, surcharges, or, in regulated categories, declined transactions and account holds.
This MCC captures miscellaneous general merchandise stores that don't fit into more specific retail categories. Merchants here can vary widely, from novelty shops to pop-up stores selling various goods.
Ticket sizes and frequency are highly variable depending on the specific merchant's offerings.
Chargeback profiles for this MCC are eclectic; they can be low or moderately high based on the specific goods sold and the merchant's operational efficiency. Common reasons might include 'merchandise not received' for online orders or 'not as described.'
This general category typically does not have specific scheme monitoring programmes but can be flagged if individual merchant metrics deviate significantly.
Cardflo's flexible KYB and fraud monitoring solutions can adapt to the diverse business models within this MCC, ensuring tailored risk management.
Acquirer & underwriting stance
Low-to-medium-risk standard board, depending on the specific business model. Thorough underwriting is essential to assess product type, sales channels, and operational history.
Some cases may warrant closer monitoring or a reserve if initial risk factors are elevated.
How Cardflo handles MCC 5399
- Underwriting with acquirers that actively board MCC 5399 businesses in your region.
- High-volume, low-ticket processing tuned for retail authorisation patterns.
- Omnichannel routing across in-store, ecommerce and click-and-collect.
- EMV, contactless and wallet acceptance enabled on a single integration.
- Refund, void and partial-capture flows aligned with retail operations.
Payment methods typically enabled
Common questions
How does the 'miscellaneous' nature of MCC 5399 impact onboarding and risk assessment for merchants?
The broad nature of MCC 5399 means that acquirers perform more detailed due diligence during KYB.
Instead of relying solely on the MCC, the underwriting team will scrutinise the specific types of products sold, the sales channels (online, in-store, pop-up), average ticket size, and business history. This ensures the appropriate risk tiering and payment processing terms are applied.
What are common chargeback scenarios for miscellaneous general merchandise stores?
Given the variety, chargebacks can range from 'merchandise not received' (Mastercard 4855, Visa 13. 1) for unique online items, to 'merchandise not as described' (Mastercard 4853, Visa 13.
3) if the customer's expectation wasn't met. Fraud chargebacks (Mastercard 4837, Visa 10.
4) can also occur. Clear refund policies, detailed product descriptions, and reliable shipping are crucial for defence.
Can merchants in MCC 5399 easily transition to a more specific MCC if their product focus changes?
Yes, if a merchant in MCC 5399 evolves to primarily sell goods that fit a more specific category (e. g.
, consumer electronics, clothing), they can request a change of MCC from their acquirer. This typically involves submitting updated business details and may trigger a re-evaluation of their risk profile and processing rates, potentially leading to more favourable terms or specific industry programmes.
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