MCC 5999 is a catch-all category for specialty retail merchants that don’t fall under more narrowly defined MCCs. It includes a wide variety of both physical and online stores with unique, niche, or blended inventories. Common examples include:

• Art and collectible shops – Fine art, rare items, coins, or memorabilia
• Gift, novelty, and boutique stores – Retailers offering occasion-based, seasonal, or lifestyle goods
• Hobby suppliers – Model kits, craft materials, or enthusiast accessories
• Ecommerce platforms – Online retailers with specialized product mixes or unclear category alignment

Because of its breadth, MCC 5999 is frequently assigned to businesses whose offerings fall between traditional categories — or to emerging models where existing MCCs don’t yet apply.

MCC 5999 is not automatically classified as high risk, but it is often subject to greater scrutiny. This is due to its inclusion of:

• Regulated product categories – Restricted collectibles or other products may raise compliance concerns
• Ambiguous product lines – Vague or evolving business models can complicate underwriting
• Online and mail-order sales – Card-not-present transactions carry greater fraud and chargeback exposure
• Business model – Drop-shipping or delayed fulfillment models may increase costs

Underwriters tend to approach MCC 5999 with caution. While many businesses in this category are low risk, others may be flagged for further review — especially if chargeback rates are elevated or inventory includes controversial items.

Risk management tips for merchants under MCC 5999:

• Be specific and transparent in product descriptions, billing policies, and return terms
• Disclose regulated goods during underwriting to avoid misclassification or account pauses
• Invest in fraud controls, especially if operating primarily online (3D Secure, CVV verification, etc.)
• Use clear billing descriptors to reduce the likelihood of friendly fraud or customer confusion

Requirements vary widely depending on your inventory. There are no blanket licensing mandates for all merchants under this MCC, but several obligations may apply based on the business model:

• Collectibles or high-value items may be subject to sales authentication or resale laws
• Online retailers must comply with state-by-state sales tax collection and remittance
• PCI DSS compliance is required for all businesses accepting card payments
• Specific licensing or permission is required to be able to resell certain name brands

Additionally, processors, acquirers, or their ISOs may request enhanced documentation during underwriting, including:

• Product lists or sample inventory
• Business licenses and operating history
• Refund and fulfillment policies
• URL and brand review (especially for ecommerce sellers)

MCC 5999 does not carry mandatory risk surcharges from card networks, but actual pricing can vary significantly. Many processors and acquirers assess fees based on perceived risk, not just MCC assignment. Considerations include:

• Chargeback rate – Frequent disputes may trigger tiered pricing or account reserves
• Product sensitivity – Items like firewords, adult-themed gifts, or controversial media may affect approval and fees
• Transaction method – Card-present sales generally incur lower fees than card-not-present or recurring transactions

For specialty or hard-to-classify businesses, it’s important to review processor or acquirer policies carefully. Some may classify your model as high risk even if chargebacks are low — particularly if you’re operating online or selling high-value, regulated, or custom items.

Yes — but only if you operate multiple distinct business lines, each with its own merchant account, brand identity, or legal structure. For example:

• A business that sells both pool supplies and sportswear might be able to separate into MCC 5999 (pool supplies) and MCC 5651 (family clothing stores) if each operates under a different entity or domain.
• A mixed-goods online marketplace could separate food and beverage items into MCC 5499 if they’re managed under a distinct operation from specialty merchandise.

If all services operate under one store, site, or account, the processor will assign the MCC that best matches your primary revenue stream — often defaulting to 5999 if the product mix is diverse.

Depending on your product focus, your business may be more accurately classified with or compared to:

The more accurate your classification, the better your chances of receiving competitive rates and clean approval.