Merchant category codes
MCC codes for health and beauty
Checked
Beauty and health products are split across codes that look close but mean different things. Cosmetics stores use 5977, while Visa lists beauty supply stores under 5999. Hearing aids, orthopedic goods and eyeglasses have their own codes. Vitamins and health food are not here at all: Visa lists them under 5499 Miscellaneous Food Stores, and drug and pharmacy codes are high-integrity risk.
| MCC | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 5977 | Stores that sell cosmetics such as makeup and skincare. |
| 5997 | Stores that sell electric razors and may repair them. |
| 5975 | Hearing aids and supplies, often with repair work. |
| 5976 | Prosthetic devices, orthotics and orthopedic goods. |
| 8043 | Opticians who test eyes and make and sell eyeglasses and optical goods. |
| 5047 | Wholesale distributors of medical, dental, ophthalmic and hospital equipment. |
Where supplements go
Visa's manual lists vitamin stores and health food stores as examples of 5499 Miscellaneous Food Stores. The pharmacy codes 5912 and 5122 are for licensed sellers of prescription and proprietary drugs, and Visa treats card-absent sales under them as high-integrity risk. A supplement brand on either pharmacy code is miscoded.
Frequently asked questions
- What MCC does a skincare or makeup brand use?
- 5977 Cosmetic Stores. Visa lists beauty supply stores under 5999 Miscellaneous and Specialty Retail, so a store selling salon tools and supplies as well can fit there. Visa requires 3D Secure on online 5977 sales for merchants located in Malaysia.
- What MCC does a vitamin or supplement store use?
- Visa lists vitamin stores and health food stores under 5499 Miscellaneous Food Stores. Do not use the pharmacy codes 5912 or 5122 unless you are a licensed pharmacy or drug wholesaler.