What is a SaaS Merchant Category Code (MCC)?

When a merchant account is established, a Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit classification assigned to a business by its acquiring bank or payment processor. It categorizes a business by the types of products or services it offers, according to the ISO 18245. 

For a SaaS company, the MCC informs card networks like Visa and Mastercard of the type of software business you operate. The presence of an appropriate MCC for a subscription software company can influence aspects such as transaction approval efficiency, applicable fee structures, and the frequency of payment disputes.

Since there is no single universal code for every software business, the correct one depends on what you really sell.

• MCC 5734 (Computer Software Stores): This is intended for merchants mainly focused on retail sale of computer software, including off-the-shelf programs, operating systems, and business software like accounting or CRM applications. Many subscription-based SaaS enterprises are under this category.
• MCC 7372 (Computer Programming, Data Processing, and Integrated Systems Design): This code is for merchants supplying data processing and related consulting services, which would cover SaaS companies that focus on development, data services, or have a significant professional services component.
• MCC 5817 (Software Applications, Excluding Games): Typically for app-based or digitally delivered software models.
• MCC 5045 (Computers, Peripherals, and Software): More appropriate for companies that deal in hardware distribution along with software.
• MCC 7311 or other niche codes: But if your SaaS offering is combined with advertising, marketing, or other services, then these codes may come into play.

インターチェンジフィーは一律ではありません。カードネットワークはリスクレベルに基づいて異なる料率を設定し、ソフトウェア/デジタル商品カテゴリは一般的な小売業とは異なる料金体系を持つ場合があります。これに加え、MCCはお客様のリスクプロファイルを定義し、取引の不正検知、および紛争比率の解釈にも影響を与えます。SaaS企業に割り当てられた事業体のリスク分類と、その実際のリスプロファイルとの間の差異は、適用される手数料の変動やチャージバックしきい値に関連する可能性があります。

Begin with your main source of income：サブスクリプションソフトウェアライセンス、カスタム開発、またはその組み合わせ。決済代行会社に直接問い合わせるか、公式の決済ネットワーク分類リストを確認するか、またはMCC検索ツールを使用して現在のコードを取得してください。ビジネスの説明を5734や7372のようなコードの公式定義に合わせてください。また、「“ソフトウェア製品”」と「“ソフトウェアサービス”」の違いが決定的な​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌要因となりうることを忘れないでください。

If there is a perceived discrepancy with your MCC, contacting your アクワイアリング銀行 or payment processor support is the established procedure, as merchants are not allowed to modify this information. 

You should be prepared to clearly describe your main business activity and “back it up” with supporting documentation like your website, product descriptions, or sample invoices. 

その 決済処理業者 will check your request and adjust the code if the evidence shows a different classification. A manual review by the processor is generally involved in this process segment, contributing to its potential time frame.

Revisit your MCC whenever your core business model changes significantly, such as when you launch new product lines, change from self-serve software to custom implementation services, or add hardware to your offering. The initial codebase of a company that formed as pure サブスクリプションソフトウェア and included consulting-heavy custom integrations could be considered in the context of its business requirements.