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.

交换费并非一概而论；卡组织会根据风险等级选择不同的费率，并且软件/数字商品类别的定价结构可能与普通零售业务有所不同。除此之外，您的MCC（商户类别码）也定义了您的风险概况，影响着您交易的欺诈监控以及您争议率的解读。SaaS公司针对某一实体分配的风险分类与其实际风险概况之间的差异，可能与不同的适用费用或拒付阈值相关联。

Begin with your main source of income: 订阅软件许可、定制开发或两者的结合。您可以直接联系您的支付处理商，查阅官方支付网络分类列表，或者使用MCC查询工具来获取您当前的编码。将您的业务描述与5734和7372等代码的官方定义对齐，并记住“软件产品”和“软件服务”之间的区别可能是决定性因素。

If there is a perceived discrepancy with your MCC, contacting your 收单银行 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. 

诸如 支付处理器 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 订阅软件的支付分类账 and included consulting-heavy custom integrations could be considered in the context of its business requirements.