Religious Goods Stores
Religious supplies and devotional-goods retailers.
What MCC 5973 covers
Merchant Category Code 5973 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for religious 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.
Religious supplies and devotional-goods retailers. Choosing the right MCC is critical: an incorrect code can lead to higher interchange, surcharges, or, in regulated categories, declined transactions and account holds.
Merchants in MCC 5973 typically sell religious items, devotional goods, and related spiritual products. These can range from books and statuary to apparel and ceremonial objects.
Transaction sizes are generally low to medium, with purchase frequency varying widely depending on the customer base and product type; some items are one-off purchases, while others, like religious texts or candles, may be bought more regularly.
Chargebacks are generally low for this MCC, typically stemming from 'merchandise not as described' or 'item not received' disputes, especially for online sales. Card-present sales carry less risk.
There are no specific scheme programmes targeting religious goods, so standard interchange rates apply.
Cardflo's robust acquiring network helps merchants in this MCC by offering stable processing with competitive rates. Our dispute management tools facilitate quick resolution of any chargebacks, maintaining a healthy merchant account status.
Acquirer & underwriting stance
Low-risk standard board. No specific reserve requirements are typically imposed for well-managed businesses in this category.
How Cardflo handles MCC 5973
- Underwriting with acquirers that actively board MCC 5973 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
Common questions
Are there any specific scheme compliance rules for selling religious goods online?
Neither Visa nor Mastercard impose specific compliance rules unique to the sale of religious goods. Standard e-commerce regulations, such as secure data handling (PCI DSS) and clear refund policies, are the primary requirements.
Ensure product descriptions are accurate to mitigate 'merchandise not as described' disputes.
What is the typical chargeback rate for religious goods merchants and how can it be reduced?
The typical chargeback rate for MCC 5973 is generally below 0. 5%.
To reduce disputes, merchants should ensure high-quality product images, detailed descriptions, transparent shipping policies, and prompt customer service. Using tracked shipping for all orders also helps resolve 'item not received' claims more easily.
Does Cardflo support recurring billing for subscription boxes focused on religious items?
Yes, Cardflo supports recurring billing for subscription-based models. Merchants can utilise our platform to set up various billing frequencies for subscription boxes, such as monthly or quarterly.
Our system is designed to manage recurring transactions efficiently, helping to reduce involuntary churn due to payment failures.
Other MCCs in Miscellaneous Stores
Ready for velocity?
Tell us about your business. We'll match you with the right acquiring partners and the right route, typically inside a week.