Glassware & Crystal Stores

Retail glassware and crystal stores.

What MCC 5950 covers

Merchant Category Code 5950 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for glassware & crystal 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 glassware and crystal stores. 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 5950 encompasses retailers specialising in glassware, crystal, and related decorative items. This includes high-end crystal boutiques, general homeware stores with dedicated sections, and online retailers.

Ticket sizes vary significantly, from small decorative pieces to very high-value crystal sets or custom-designed glass art. Purchase frequency is typically low, as these items are often durable goods or special occasion purchases.

Chargebacks are moderate due to the delicate nature of the products. Key reasons include 'damaged merchandise' during shipping, 'merchandise not as described' if items appear different from online representations or have perceived flaws, and 'fraudulent transactions' for high-value designer pieces.

Proof of delivery is crucial due to the fragility.

Cardflo's comprehensive fraud and chargeback management suite helps merchants mitigate risks associated with fragile, high-value goods, providing tools to contest disputes effectively with robust evidence.

Acquirer & underwriting stance

Medium-risk standard board with monitoring. The susceptibility to damage during transit and the high value of certain items contribute to moderate risk.

A rolling reserve of 5-10% may be assessed, particularly for new merchants or those with a high proportion of high-value online sales. Robust insurance and shipping practices are expected.

How Cardflo handles MCC 5950

Underwriting with acquirers that actively board MCC 5950 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.

Payment methods typically enabled

Apple Pay

Google Pay

PayPal

Klarna

Affirm

Bank Transfer

Common questions

How can glass/crystal retailers minimise 'damaged merchandise' chargebacks?

Robust packaging, including sufficient cushioning and 'fragile' labelling, is paramount. Partnering with reputable couriers offering specialised fragile item handling, and obtaining shipping insurance, can protect against losses.

Requiring signature upon delivery also provides proof of receipt. Photographic evidence of packaging before shipment can also be useful in disputing claims.

What fraud prevention strategies are recommended for high-value crystal purchases?

For high-value items, mandatory 3D Secure authentication is essential. Verifying the shipping address against the billing address, using IP geolocation, and device fingerprinting can help identify suspicious orders.

Cardflo's fraud monitoring can also identify velocity anomalies (e. g.

, multiple high-value orders from a new customer in a short period) that warrant further investigation, such as a manual review or direct customer contact.

Are there any scheme rules particular to shipping fragile or high-value goods?

While there aren't specific scheme rules for fragile goods, both Visa (Visa Integrity Risk Program) and Mastercard (Excessive Chargeback Program) monitor merchants with high chargeback ratios.

Consistent 'damaged merchandise' or 'merchandise not received' disputes will negatively impact a merchant's chargeback ratio, potentially leading to warnings, fines, or even account termination. Proof of delivery, especially with signature, is crucial for winning these disputes.