General and specialty retail · Merchant category codes
What is MCC 5309 (Duty Free Stores)?
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MCC 5309 (Duty Free Stores) is the merchant category code for stores that sell gift and import items that are typically exempt from customs fees, such as liquor, perfume and jewelry. It fits only duty free retail. A brand selling perfume or jewelry online uses the code for that line. It is not on Visa's high-integrity risk list, and Stripe does not restrict it.
- Visa name
- Duty Free Stores
- Stripe name
- Duty Free Stores
- Restricted by Stripe
- No
- Visa high-integrity risk
- No
- Visa 3D Secure rule for online sales
- No rule tied to this code
- In PlatformDTC's Industry picker
- No
- Typical products
- Duty free shops
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC's Industry picker does not offer 5309, so a store cannot choose it during payments setup; the closest choices there are 5944 ("Jewelry, watch, and clock stores") and 5999 ("Miscellaneous and specialty retail"). Stripe reviews each account's category and can move a store to 5309 itself, and Stripe's documentation says the platform cannot then change it back.
What sells under MCC 5309
Visa uses 5309 for stores that sell gift and import items that are typically exempt from customs fees, such as liquor, perfume and jewelry.
It fits only duty free retail. A brand selling perfume or jewelry online uses the code for that line.
- Duty free shops
Codes it is confused with
Choose the code for the line of business that makes up most of your sales. Visa also allows a separate code for each line of business.
| Code | Name | Use it instead when |
|---|---|---|
| 5921 | Package Stores – Beer, Wine, and Liquor | You sell packaged alcohol |
| 5944 | Jewelry Stores, Watches, Clocks, and Silverware Stores | You sell jewelry |
| 5999 | Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail Shops | You sell specialty products |
Risk, 3D Secure and Stripe rules
5309 is not on Visa's high-integrity risk list, so no extra Visa registration is tied to the code itself.
Stripe's list of supported codes does not mark it restricted, so a Stripe account can use it without asking Stripe first.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MCC 5309 high risk?
- No. 5309 is not on Visa's high-integrity risk list. Stripe does not mark it restricted.
- Can a PlatformDTC store use MCC 5309?
- Not by picking it: PlatformDTC's Industry picker does not offer 5309. Stripe can still assign it after reviewing the account.
Sources
Related
- 5999 — Specialty products no more specific code covers.
- 5995 — Pets, pet food and pet supplies.
- 5533 — Car parts, equipment and accessories, including home EV chargers.
- 5311 — General lines of apparel, furniture, electronics, cosmetics and appliances.
- 5310 — A general line of merchandise sold at a discount.
- 5331 — A limited range of various lower-priced products.