MCC 5995: Pet shops, pet foods and supplies stores

What is MCC 5995? Learn its business effects & how to check your code. Get JIM for iOS/Android to take phone payments in seconds for a 1.99% fee.

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Mar 25, 2026

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2 min read time

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) uses Merchant Category Code (MCC) 5995 to classify pet shops, pet foods, and supplies stores. This code applies to businesses that primarily sell domestic animals such as cats, dogs, and birds. It also covers transactions for pet food and a wide range of supplies, including collars, leashes, cages, and grooming equipment, distinguishing these specific retail sales for payment processing.

Which businesses fall under MCC 5995?

MCC 5995 applies to a broad range of pet retail establishments:

Large chain pet stores: These national retailers, like Petco and PetSmart, offer a vast selection of pet food, toys, and accessories. They often provide services like grooming alongside their extensive product offerings.
Independent pet shops: These neighborhood stores provide a curated selection of pet supplies and sometimes pets. They often focus on specialized or premium products for local customers.
Pet food and supply stores: These businesses focus exclusively on nourishment and care items for domestic animals. They stock everything from basic kibble to specialized dietary foods and supplements.
Aquarium and fish stores: These shops specialize in aquatic life, selling fish, tanks, filters, and water treatments. They cater to both freshwater and saltwater hobbyists with a range of equipment.
Bird supply stores: Focused on avian pets, these stores sell various bird species, cages, and specialized food. They also stock toys and health supplements for feathered companions.
Farm and feed stores: While serving agricultural needs, stores like Tractor Supply Co. have large sections for pet and animal food. These sales fall under the 5995 classification.

Business implications of MCC 5995

Payment networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover use MCC 5995 to categorize transactions, which affects several aspects of business operations.

These networks use the code to assess a business's risk profile. Since pet stores are generally considered low-risk, this classification can lead to more favorable interchange rates and lower transaction costs. Beyond risk and fees, the MCC has other operational uses.

Expense tracking

Companies use MCCs to automate the categorization of business expenses on credit card statements. This simplifies bookkeeping for pet-related purchases and provides clear identification of spending on supplies. This documentation can also support tax deductions for operational costs.

Financial analysis

Businesses can analyze spending patterns by filtering transactions with MCC 5995. This data helps track costs related to pet supplies, forecast future expenses, and manage budgets more effectively. It offers a clear view of where funds go within this specific category.

Compliance and auditing

The consistent application of MCC 5995 creates a clear audit trail. This helps businesses verify expenses and confirm that purchases align with company policy, which simplifies internal reviews and financial accountability.

Rewards and customer behavior

Credit card issuers often tie rewards programs to specific MCCs. Customers with cards offering bonuses on pet store purchases may choose one shop over another to maximize their points or cash back. This can influence purchasing habits and build customer loyalty.

How to verify your business's MCC

Pet store owners should confirm their MCC classification for proper transaction processing and to avoid customer confusion regarding rewards eligibility. If you find that your business is incorrectly classified, for example, a pet store coded as a grocery store, contact your payment processor immediately to request reclassification.

Here's how to verify if your MCC classification is set up correctly:

Contact Your Payment Processor: Your merchant services provider assigned the MCC during account setup. To verify your classification, contact their customer service team or review the details in your original merchant agreement documents. This is the most direct method.
Review Processing Statements: Your monthly merchant statements typically display the assigned MCC. Look for a four-digit number, often located in the account information or business profile section of the document, to find your code and confirm its accuracy.
Check with Your Acquirer: The acquiring bank or financial institution that processes your transactions also maintains your MCC in their system. You can reach out to their merchant support team, who can look up and confirm your current business classification.
Test Transaction Method: Some merchants run a small test transaction on a personal credit card to see how it appears on the statement. However, this method is less reliable than direct confirmation from your processor and may not always show the MCC.

How to choose a reliable payment service provider

Your MCC 5995 classification influences interchange rates. Since payment processors handle these transactions differently, your choice matters. Variations in pricing, settlement speed, and support affect your bottom line. Consider these factors when you select a provider for your pet store.

Transparent pricing: A provider with flat-rate pricing avoids complex models that obscure the true cost. The JIM tap-to-pay app for iPhone and Android charges 1.99% per transaction with no setup costs, monthly fees, or premium card surcharges.
Payment method support: Your processor should accept all major credit cards, like Visa and Mastercard, and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. This flexibility meets modern customer expectations.
Fast fund access: Quick access to funds is necessary to manage cash flow. Instant deposits help you cover immediate expenses like inventory restocks, supplier payments, and payroll without delay.
Security: Your processor must protect customer data with encryption. Leading systems use tokenization for every transaction, so sensitive card numbers are never stored on your device, which reduces your liability.
Reporting: Modern processors offer advanced analytics. The JIM AI assistant, for example, provides sales reports and transaction history through a chat interface for quick business insights.

Streamline payments with JIM

JIM offers pet store owners a straightforward solution for payments. The JIM tap-to-pay app transforms your iPhone or Android phone into a payment terminal with NFC technology, so you need no extra hardware. You pay a flat 1.99% per transaction. There are no setup costs, monthly fees, or variable rates for premium cards.

You can also send payment links (for online orders or special-order deposits) at a rate of 4.99% + $0.30 per sale. Funds become available instantly on your JIM Visa Prepaid Card. You can add this card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for immediate use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

What is Merchant Category Code 5995?

Merchant Category Code 5995 is a four-digit classification number assigned to pet shops and supply stores by payment networks and the ISO. This code identifies businesses that primarily sell domestic animals, pet food, and related accessories. Payment processors use this code to categorize transactions for interchange fees, reporting, and customer rewards programs.

Is Merchant Category Code 5995 high-risk?

Payment processors consider Merchant Category Code 5995 a low-risk classification. This assessment reflects the low fraud and chargeback rates common in pet store retail transactions. As a result, businesses with this code often qualify for more favorable interchange rates, which helps lower their overall transaction costs.

Can a business have multiple MCC codes?

Generally, a business receives a single Merchant Category Code for its merchant account, which reflects its primary source of revenue. However, a company with diverse operations can open separate merchant accounts, each with a unique MCC for its distinct business lines. For example, a veterinary clinic (MCC 0742) that also runs a retail pet supply shop on-site might have a second merchant account classified under MCC 5995 to process those specific product sales separately.

What happens if my MCC code is wrong?

An incorrect MCC can cause customers to miss out on credit card rewards for pet-related purchases, which may influence their shopping preferences and loyalty. For the business, this misclassification can lead to improper interchange rates that might increase transaction costs. Conversely, if you receive a lower rate intended for a different industry, your business could breach payment network rules, leading to potential penalties.

Can merchants choose their MCC code?

Merchants cannot choose their own MCC code. Payment processors assign the code based on a business's primary activities, adhering to guidelines from the ISO and payment networks. If a business owner believes the assigned code misrepresents their operations, they can contact their processor to request a review and reclassification.

How does MCC 5995 affect my payment processing costs?

Your MCC 5995 classification has a direct effect on the interchange rates applied to each transaction. As a low-risk category, pet stores typically receive favorable rates, which are lower than those for high-risk industries but often higher than categories like supermarkets. The final cost to your business, however, depends on your payment processor’s pricing structure.

For instance, an interchange-plus model passes these variable rates directly to you, while flat-rate processors like JIM absorb the variability and charge you a consistent fee regardless of card type.