Luggage & Leather Goods Stores.
Retail luggage, briefcases and leather goods.
- MCC
- 5948
- Category
- Miscellaneous Stores
- Cardflo support
- Yes
What MCC 5948 covers
Merchant Category Code 5948 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for luggage & leather goods stores. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Retail luggage, briefcases and leather goods. 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 5948 includes retailers of luggage, briefcases, handbags, and other leather goods. These merchants operate in physical stores, department store concessions, and online.
Ticket sizes range from medium for small leather accessories to high for premium luggage sets or designer handbags. Purchase frequency is generally low, as these items are typically durable goods with a long replacement cycle.
Chargebacks are moderate. Key reasons include 'merchandise not as described' due to quality discrepancies or misrepresentation of materials (e. g. , 'genuine leather' vs. synthetic), 'merchandise not received' for higher-value online orders, and 'defective merchandise' if quality issues arise shortly after purchase.
Fraudulent transactions, particularly with high-value brand-name products, also pose a risk.
Cardflo's flexible MID routing and acquiring network can effectively manage these transactions, ensuring optimal approval rates while maintaining a strong focus on fraud prevention for high-ticket items.
Merchants in this sector should configure acceptance to balance security with customer experience. Implement 3DS2 for high-value online transactions to shift liability, recognising the high ticket sizes for premium items.
Multi-acquirer routing can optimise authorisation rates and manage the potential for higher-risk transactions. Given the medium-risk profile and potential for a 5% rolling reserve, ensure clear product descriptions and robust photo evidence to minimise 'not as described' claims.
Prioritise express, tracked shipping for high-value items, as 'merchandise not received' is a notable dispute concern.
Acquirer and acquirer assessment stance.
Medium-risk standard board with monitoring. The presence of high-value items and popular brands attracts fraudsters, necessitating proactive fraud prevention.
A rolling reserve of 5% may be considered for new merchants or those with limited processing history to mitigate chargeback risk. Regular compliance checks and performance monitoring are standard.
Dispute and chargeback profile.
The primary dispute reasons are "13.1 / 4853 (services not as described)" due to quality discrepancies or deceptive material claims, and "13.6 / 4855 (merchandise not received)" for high-value online orders.
To combat "not as described" claims, provide detailed product specifications, high-resolution images, and clear care instructions. For "not received" disputes, always use tracked and signed-for delivery services, retaining proof of postage and delivery.
Fraudulent transactions also appear, tackled with proactive fraud screening.
See also: chargeback management · payment response codes · Compelling Evidence 3.0.
Book a scoping call to see how Cardflo would set you up.
How Cardflo handles MCC 5948
- Placement with acquirers that actively board MCC 5948 businesses in your region.
- MCC review during onboarding to confirm the right code for your products.
- Reclassification support if scheme rules or product mix change post-launch.
- Multi-acquirer routing to keep approvals stable for broad merchant categories.
- Dispute support tuned to the mixed-product chargeback profile this MCC sees.
- Dedicated onboarding manager rather than a generic ticket queue.
Payment methods typically enabled.
Onboarding checklist.
What acquirers typically ask to see when boarding MCC 5948. 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 trading pattern.
- Product catalogue extract confirming the MCC covers the goods actually sold.
- Refund, exchange and cancellation policy shown at point of sale and on the website.
- PCI DSS SAQ appropriate to the environment (A, A-EP or D as relevant).
- 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 specific measures can luggage/leather goods retailers take to combat 'merchandise not as described' chargebacks?
Accurate product imagery, detailed material descriptions, and clear dimensions are crucial. Merchants should also consider video demonstrations for unique features.
Transparent return policies and a customer-friendly process for exchanges or refunds are vital. Visa's Integrity Risk Program (IRP) monitors merchants with consistent product misrepresentation complaints, so proactive measures are important.
How can merchants in this MCC protect against fraud on high-end items?
For high-value items, implementing 3D Secure with issuer authentication is paramount. Cross-referencing shipping addresses with billing addresses, IP geolocation, and device fingerprinting can identify suspicious orders.
Cardflo's fraud scoring engine can flag risky transactions for manual review or step-up authentication, helping to detect synthetic identities or stolen card use before shipment. For very high-value items, consider telephone verification or insured shipping with signature confirmation.
Are there specific compliance requirements for selling leather goods (e.g., CITES)?
Yes, if selling products made from exotic leathers (e. g. , alligator, crocodile, python), merchants must comply with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulations. This involves obtaining proper permits for import and export.
While not a direct payment scheme rule, non-compliance can lead to goods being seized and reputational damage, indirectly affecting payment processing relationships due to increased operational risk.
What specific operational changes can reduce 'merchandise not as described' chargebacks for high-end leather goods?
To mitigate 'merchandise not as described' disputes, always use professional, high-resolution photography that accurately depicts colour, texture, and stitching details. Include multiple angles and close-ups, plus detailed material specifications, dimensions, and weight.
Consider adding short video clips demonstrating the product's features and capacity. Clearly state care instructions and any natural variations inherent in leather.
For online listings, encourage customers to use measurement guides. This meticulous approach ensures customer expectations align precisely with the delivered product, reducing post-purchase disappointment and subsequent disputes.
Implement a visible, fair returns policy.
How should merchants with both physical stores and online channels streamline returns to lower chargeback risk?
For merchants operating across multiple channels, a unified returns policy and process are crucial. Allow customers to return online purchases in-store, which can speed up resolution and reduce shipping-related disputes.
Ensure your returns portal is easy to navigate, with clear instructions on packaging and tracking. Integrate your online and in-store inventory systems to facilitate quicker processing of exchanges or refunds.
Prompt communication regarding return status, coupled with efficient refund processing within two business days of receipt, significantly reduces the likelihood of customers initiating chargebacks out of frustration or perceived delay.
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