VTC - Definition of merchant control type

[stepwaec]

The API ref lists the following merchant control types (MCT_):

MCT_ADULT_ENTERTAINMENT , * MCT_AIRFARE , * MCT_ALCOHOL , * MCT_APPAREL_AND_ACCESSORIES , * MCT_AUTOMOTIVE , * MCT_CAR_RENTAL , * MCT_ELECTRONICS , * MCT_ENTERTAINMENT_AND_SPORTINGEVENTS , * MCT_GAMBLING , * MCT_GAS_AND_PETROLEUM , * MCT_GROCERY , * MCT_HOTEL_AND_LODGING , * MCT_HOUSEHOLD , * MCT_PERSONAL_CARE , * MCT_RECREATION , * MCT_SMOKE_AND_TOBACCO ,

Are these all valid strings for the controlType field?

Is there a table that further explains or lists the MCC codes of the individual MCT_?

[API_Products · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Thanks for posting to the forum. I'll provide a response to your controlType field inquiry soon, as I'm checking for updates. For information related to MCC codes, please click on this link: https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator/search/index.jsp

Thank you,
Diana
Visa Developer Team

[stepwaec]

Hi Diana

Thanks for your support.

I was wodnering if you got an update or response to the controlType field inquiry.

Cheers,

Stephan

[API_Products · Accepted solution]

Hello again!

Thanks for asking your question in the community forum. Yes I have an answer for you, please see the response to your question below. 

Merchant

MCT_ADULT_ENTERTAINMENT MCT_AIRFARE MCT_ALCOHOL MCT_APPAREL_AND_ACCESSORIES MCT_AUTOMOTIVE MCT_CAR_RENTAL MCT_ELECTRONICS MCT_ENTERTAINMENT_AND_SPORTINGEVENTS MCT_GAMBLING MCT_GAS_AND_PETROLEUM MCT_GROCERY MCT_HOTEL_AND_LODGING MCT_HOUSEHOLD MCT_PERSONAL_CARE MCT_RECREATION MCT_SMOKE_AND_TOBACCO

Each of the merchant categories listed represents an individual merchant control type. Enabling a merchant control type will trigger a VTC response whenever a purchase is made at a merchant with that MCC.

Careful consideration should be given to offering card controls for the different Merchant groups due to the inconsistent use of MCCs. For example, tobacco and alcohol can be purchased at some grocery stores. If offering Merchant card controls then consider limiting their use to notifications only; use as a block should be avoided.

Hope you're enjoying your day and feel free to post more questions to the forum!

Thank you,

Diana

[stepwaec]

Hello Diana

Thanks for your response. 

What is still unclear to me is the underlying MCC that are bundled up in your Merchant Control Type.
On the Visa Europe website I was able to find an overview of MCCs (710 entries) and what MCG (Merchant Category Group) they belong to. Now this MCG list is much longer (34 entries) and uses a different description compared to your MCT - merchant control type list (16 entries).

Open points from my side:

• Is there an overview that clearly shows which MCCs belong to which MCT?
• Are there MCC that are not mapped to a MCT?
• Is there a correlation between MCG and MCT?

Visa Europe Resources:
https://www.visaeurope.com/controls/custom/apps/vatpurchasingsuppliers/resources/mcc_list.html

[API_Products · Accepted solution]

Hello,

Thanks for requesting clarification in the Visa community forum. Please navigate to the Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual documenation link below for the MCC to MCT mapping.

Visa Merchant Data Standards Manual

https://usa.visa.com/dam/VCOM/download/merchants/visa-merchant-data-standards-manual.pdf

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Thank you,

Diana

[stepwaec]

Hello Diana

Unfortunately, I cannot find any reference for MCT in the visa-merchant-data-standards-manual docuemnt you referred to.

Even if I search for a dedicated MCT (e.g. adult entertainment) no entry can be found.

Cheers,

Stephan

[NicolasB]

Hello,

I also looked in the linked documents but could not find any reference to MCT.

Is there a simple MCC => MCT mapping table that could help understanding the VTC controls in details?

Thanks for your support,

[I_Doroteo3]

Hi @NicolasB , 

This information is included in the Visa Transaction Controls Implementation Guide. This guide is distributed to Visa participants for use exclusively in managing their Visa programs.

If you are interested in the Visa Transaction Controls API, it is available to use by any developer in Sandbox. To promote your project, you must be an Issuer Bank.

Thanks, 

Illana