Artist's Supply & Craft Shops.
Retail of fine-art and craft supplies.
- MCC
- 5970
- Category
- Miscellaneous Stores
- Cardflo support
- Yes
What MCC 5970 covers
Merchant Category Code 5970 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for artist's supply & craft shops. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Retail of fine-art and craft supplies. 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 5970 encompasses Artist's Supply and Craft Shops, retailing materials for fine art, crafts, and hobbies. These merchants typically serve individual consumers or small businesses, offering paints, canvases, fabrics, tools, and other creative supplies.
Transaction sizes are usually modest to medium, with purchase frequency varying from occasional hobbyists to regular professional artists. Sales might see peaks around holidays or specific art/crafting trends.
Chargebacks are generally low for this MCC. Common reasons, when they occur, include 'merchandise not received' or 'damaged goods' during shipping.
'Not as described' might infrequently occur if product photos or descriptions are inaccurate. Fraud rates are usually low, fitting within standard industry benchmarks due to the nature of the goods being less appealing to fraudsters for resale.
Cardflo provides reliable and secure payment processing for these businesses, ensuring seamless online and in-store transactions. Our platform's straightforward integration with popular e-commerce platforms and POS systems helps craft shops manage their sales efficiently and maintain a professional checkout experience.
Merchants in artist's supply and craft retail should configure acceptance to balance convenience with minimal risk. Given modest ticket sizes and a high volume of individual sales, prioritise efficient checkout flows, utilising tokenisation for returning customers.
A sound multi-acquirer strategy allows Cardflo to optimise routing for domestic card schemes and APMs favoured for smaller transactions. Since 'merchandise not received' is a common dispute, ensure robust, tracked shipping options are presented clearly, ideally with customer proof of delivery on higher-value items.
Reserve expectations are usually standard, reflecting the low-risk profile.
Acquirer and acquirer assessment stance.
Low-risk standard board. No specific reserve requirements are typically applied.
Standard fraud monitoring is sufficient for this MCC.
Dispute and chargeback profile.
The two most likely Visa/Mastercard reason codes for artist's supply and craft shops are 13.1 / 4853 (merchandise not received) and 13.3 / 4853 (merchandise not as described). 'Merchandise not received' often arises from delivery issues or customer oversight.
'Merchandise not as described' typically occurs when product images or descriptions on the website do not accurately reflect the delivered item's size, colour, or material.
To defeat these, provide irrefutable evidence of tracked delivery, including signature confirmation where possible, and clear, detailed product descriptions with multiple high-resolution images.
See also: chargeback management · payment response codes · Compelling Evidence 3.0.
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How Cardflo handles MCC 5970
- Placement with acquirers that actively board MCC 5970 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 5970. 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).
- Website terms of service, privacy policy and clear merchant descriptor.
See also: Know Your Customer (KYC) · high-risk merchant · smart routing.
Talk to an acquiring specialist about your MID setup.
Common questions
What payment security measures are most important for small craft shops under MCC 5970 operating online?
For online craft shops, PCI DSS compliance is paramount to protect cardholder data. Implementing robust encryption (SSL/TLS), using a secure payment gateway like Cardflo, and enabling 3D Secure 2 for transactions are essential.
Additionally, ensuring their e-commerce platform is regularly updated and patched protects against vulnerabilities. These measures minimise the risk of data breaches and fraudulent transactions.
Are there specific tips for MCC 5970 merchants to handle customer disputes regarding 'merchandise not as described' for art supplies?
To prevent 'merchandise not as described' disputes, merchants should provide highly accurate product descriptions, use high-resolution photographs that truly represent colours and textures, and include dimensions where relevant.
For items like paints or fabrics, a disclaimer about potential colour variations due to screen settings can be helpful. During a dispute, compelling evidence includes product descriptions, photos, and any customer correspondence where product details were clarified.
How can MCC 5970 merchants efficiently manage combined online and in-store sales reporting?
Efficient management of combined sales requires a payment solution that integrates seamlessly with both their e-commerce platform and their Point of Sale (POS) system. Cardflo’s unified reporting capabilities allow merchants to view all transactions – online and in-store – through a single dashboard.
This centralisation simplifies reconciliation, inventory management, and financial analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of business performance.
How can I best present my product descriptions to minimise 'not as described' chargebacks for art supplies?
To minimise 'not as described' chargebacks, merchants should provide highly detailed product descriptions. Include precise measurements, weight, material composition, and colour swatches where applicable.
For items like paints or fabrics, clearly state the specific shade name and any manufacturing variations. Utilise multiple high-resolution images taken from different angles, and consider short video demonstrations for tools or complex materials.
Be explicit about expected results or use cases, for example, 'acrylic paint suitable for canvas and wood, not recommended for fabric'. Transparency about product attributes and limitations significantly reduces customer dissatisfaction stemming from unmet expectations.
What shipping strategies are most effective to prevent 'merchandise not received' chargebacks for craft supplies?
For craft supply merchants, effective shipping strategies are critical to prevent 'merchandise not received' chargebacks. Always use shipping methods with tracking numbers, and upload these to your order management system promptly so customers can monitor their delivery status.
For higher-value orders, consider requiring a signature on delivery to provide irrefutable proof of receipt. Clearly communicate estimated delivery times and any potential delays, especially during peak seasons.
Offering optional, insured shipping at checkout can also mitigate risk for both the merchant and the customer in case of loss or damage during transit.
Other MCCs in Miscellaneous Stores
Related industries.
Related features.
Related guides.
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