MCC 7394: Equip, tool, furniture, appliance lease/rental

Learn about MCC 7394, its business impact, and how to check your code. Download JIM on iOS/Android to accept payments in seconds for a low 1.99% fee.

2 min read time

Copied
Mechanic working under hood
Main topics

MCC 7394 is a code used by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to classify businesses that lease or rent equipment, tools, furniture, and appliances. This category includes a wide range of services, from companies that provide construction machinery to those that offer party supplies. It also covers businesses that rent out office furniture for corporate settings or home appliances for residential use, applying to transactions where customers pay for temporary use.

Which businesses fall under MCC 7394?

MCC 7394 applies to a broad range of equipment rental establishments:

  • Construction Equipment Rental: These companies provide heavy machinery like excavators and cranes for large-scale projects. Firms such as United Rentals and Sunbelt Rentals operate within this category.
  • Tool Rental Services: Many hardware stores, including The Home Depot, offer tool rental for DIY projects. Customers can lease power tools, landscaping equipment, and other items for short-term use.
  • Party and Event Supplies: This category covers businesses that rent out tents, tables, chairs, and linens for gatherings. Local event companies and specialized suppliers fall under this code.
  • Furniture Rental: Companies like CORT furnish temporary living spaces, offices, and home stagings. They offer everything from sofas and beds to desks on a lease basis.
  • Appliance Rental: Businesses such as Rent-A-Center lease home appliances like refrigerators, washers, and dryers. This service often appeals to renters or those needing temporary solutions.
  • Audiovisual (AV) Equipment Rental: These specialized firms supply sound systems, projectors, and lighting for corporate events and concerts. They support the technical needs of temporary productions.

Business implications of MCC 7394

Payment networks including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover use MCC 7394 to categorize transactions, which affects several aspects of business operations. These networks use the code to assess a business's risk profile. For equipment rental businesses under MCC 7394, this classification can influence interchange rates, the fees paid for processing transactions.

A higher perceived risk may lead to higher fees, impacting a company's bottom line. Beyond risk assessment, the MCC code also has implications for other financial and operational functions, from expense management to customer rewards.

Expense tracking

Companies rely on MCC codes for automated expense management. When an employee rents equipment, the transaction appears on a credit card statement with MCC 7394. This allows accounting software to categorize it as an equipment rental, which simplifies expense reports and potential tax deductions.

Financial analysis

Businesses also use MCC data for financial planning. An analysis of spending under MCC 7394 allows a company to track equipment rental costs, identify trends, and create more accurate budgets. This information helps managers forecast future expenses and control operational spending.

Compliance and auditing

Consistent MCC application supports compliance efforts. The code creates a clear audit trail, which makes it easier for auditors to verify that expenses are legitimate business costs and align with company policy.

Rewards and customer behavior

MCC coding can influence customer choices through credit card rewards. Some credit cards offer bonus points for purchases in specific categories. If MCC 7394 qualifies, customers may choose a rental company where they can earn these rewards on their purchases.

How to verify your business's MCC

Equipment rental owners should confirm their MCC classification to ensure proper transaction processing and avoid customer confusion regarding rewards eligibility. If you find out that your business is incorrectly classified, for example, an equipment rental business coded as a general contractor, contact your payment processor immediately to request reclassification.

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

  • Contact Your Payment Processor: Your merchant services provider assigned the MCC code when you set up your account. To verify your classification, contact their customer service department or review the details in your original merchant agreement documents.
  • Review Processing Statements: Your monthly merchant statements typically display the assigned MCC code. Look for a four-digit number in the account information or business profile details section to find your current classification and confirm its accuracy.
  • Check with Your Acquirer: The acquiring bank or financial institution that processes your transactions maintains the MCC code in their system. You can reach out to their merchant support team, and they can confirm your current classification.
  • Test Transaction Method: Some merchants process a small test transaction and check how it appears on a personal credit card statement. Note this method is less reliable than direct confirmation from the processor or acquiring bank.

How to choose a reliable payment service provider

Your MCC 7394 classification affects interchange rates, making your choice of payment processor important. Providers handle these transactions differently, with variations in pricing, settlement speed, and support that impact your business. Consider the following factors when you select a partner for payment processing.

  • Transparent pricing: Complex pricing models often hide fees. A flat-rate structure offers predictability and simplifies cost management. 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, Mastercard, and Discover, to meet customer expectations. Support for digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay is also standard.
  • Fast fund access: Quick access to funds helps manage cash flow in the rental industry. Faster settlements let you cover immediate expenses like supplier payments, inventory restocking, or payroll without delay.
  • Security: A secure processor protects your business and customers. Look for end-to-end encryption and tokenization, which replaces sensitive card data with a unique token so it is never stored on your device.
  • Reporting: Advanced analytics help you track business performance. The JIM AI assistant provides sales reports and transaction history through a chat interface for quick business insights.

Streamline payments with JIM

JIM offers equipment rental owners a straightforward payment processing solution. The JIM tap-to-pay app transforms your iPhone or Android device into a payment terminal without extra hardware. It uses NFC technology to accept contactless payments directly on your phone. You pay a flat 1.99% per transaction, with no setup costs, monthly fees, or variable rates for premium cards.

You can also accept remote payments with payment links for 4.99% + $0.30 per sale, a useful option for customer deposits. Funds from your sales 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 7394?

Merchant Category Code 7394 is a four-digit classification number assigned to businesses that rent or lease equipment by payment networks and the ISO. This code identifies transactions for services like tool, furniture, and party supply rentals. Payment processors use this classification to set interchange fees, generate financial reports, and administer customer rewards programs. It standardizes transaction data across the industry.

Is Merchant Category Code 7394 high-risk?

Payment processors consider MCC 7394 a standard-risk category. This classification reflects a moderate potential for chargebacks, which can arise from disputes over equipment condition or rental agreements. This standard risk profile allows businesses to access favorable interchange rates and avoid the stricter underwriting requirements that high-risk merchants often face.

Can a business have multiple MCC codes?

Generally, a merchant account receives a single MCC code that represents the business's predominant activity. A company with distinct revenue streams, however, might operate multiple merchant accounts, each with a different code. For instance, a general contractor's main business falls under a construction MCC. If they also rent their heavy machinery to other firms, they could establish a separate merchant account for that service under MCC 7394 to separate the two business functions for payment processing.

What happens if my MCC code is wrong?

An incorrect MCC code creates financial and customer-related problems. For example, customers who expect credit card rewards on equipment rentals may not receive them, which can harm satisfaction and discourage repeat business. Additionally, your company might be subject to the wrong interchange rates, leading to higher transaction fees or compliance issues with payment networks if you receive an unearned preferential rate.

Can merchants choose their MCC code?

A business cannot arbitrarily choose its MCC code; the payment processor assigns it based on the company's main activities. This classification adheres to standards established by the ISO and payment networks. If a merchant believes their code is a misrepresentation of their business, they have the option to contact their processor. They can then formally request a review for reclassification to a more appropriate category.

How does MCC 7394 affect my payment processing costs?

Your MCC 7394 classification directly affects the interchange rates you pay on each transaction and places your business in a standard-risk category. This position results in moderate rates, which are typically lower than those for high-risk industries but higher than what low-risk merchants like grocery stores pay.

The exact impact on your costs is determined by your payment processor’s pricing model. An interchange-plus structure 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.

sell and get paid in seconds with jim

Start selling