Stripe · Decline codes
What does the Stripe transaction_not_allowed decline code mean?
Checked
The Stripe decline code transaction_not_allowed is described by Stripe as a decline for an unknown reason, and the customer needs to contact their card issuer for more information. The name says the bank will not allow this transaction on the card, for example because of a block on online, foreign or recurring payments. Another card usually works, while retrying the same card rarely does.
- Type
- Decline due to card restrictions
- Who declined
- The card's bank
- Retry
- Not on the same card unless the bank changes its rule
- Shopper action
- Use another card or ask the bank to allow it
- Merchant action
- Offer other payment methods
- PlatformDTC renewal
- No retry; held past due with an update-card link
What PlatformDTC does
At checkout PlatformDTC may offer the shopper the store's backup processor (PayPal card payments) after transaction_not_allowed, because the refusal can depend on the acquirer. Renewals are handled strictly: on the fixed schedule or with Smart retry, it is never retried; the subscription is held past due and the customer gets a one-click link to add a new card, re-sent up to 4 times per cycle.
Why it happens
Stripe doesn't specify, but the bank is refusing this kind of transaction on this card. Settings on the card and restrictions on the account are the usual reasons.
What the shopper can do
Pay with a different card or a wallet, or ask the bank which purchases the card allows.
What the store can do
Show alternatives next to the error message. For subscriptions, ask the customer to update their payment method rather than retrying.
For developers
Check charge.outcome.network_decline_code. On Visa, 57 (transaction not permitted to cardholder) is Category 1 and must never be resubmitted for the same credential; 58 (not allowed at terminal) is a generic Category 4 code. Respect outcome.advice_code = do_not_try_again.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the transaction not allowed if the card works elsewhere?
- The bank may allow some purchase types but not others, such as online, foreign or recurring payments.
- Should I retry transaction_not_allowed?
- Not on the same card for a subscription. At checkout, another card or a backup processor is the better route.
Sources
Related
- not_permitted — The bank says this payment is not permitted on this card.
- service_not_allowed — The card was declined for a reason the bank did not give.
- card_not_supported — The card can't be used for this kind of purchase.
- restricted_card — The card can't be used for this payment; it may have been reported lost or stolen.
- try_again_later — Deprecated code: the bank declined for an unknown reason; try again later.
- withdrawal_count_limit_exceeded — The customer has gone over the balance or credit limit available on the card.
- mobile_device_authentication_required — The payment needs authentication; the customer should tap their phone again.
- card_declined — Stripe's error code for any declined card; the decline_code says why.