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Last updated: Mar 2026

Prohibited Businesses

Prohibited Businesses

List of MCCs for prohibited business types. These businesses will be declined.

Prohibited MCC Codes

MCC Code

Business Type

3000-3350

Airlines, Air Carriers

4511

Airlines and air carriers (not elsewhere classified)

4722

Travel agencies and tour operators

5262

Online marketplaces

5962

Direct Marketing - Travel-Related Arrangement Services

5966

Direct marketing - outbound telemarketing merchants

5967

Direct marketing - inbound telemarketing merchants

5968

Direct marketing - continuity/subscription merchants

6011

Financial institutions - automated cash disbursements

6012

Financial institutions merchandise and services

6051

Non-financial institutions - foreign currency, money orders

6211

Security brokers / dealers

7012

Timeshares

Prohibited / Restricted Activities

Certain industries, transactions and customer types increase one or several risks associated with payment processing as determined by Paayed. These risks include but are not limited to:

  1. Strategic
  2. Financial / Credit
  3. Compliance
  4. Legal & Regulatory
  5. Reputational

As such, Paayed has classified a list of prohibited / restricted activities that are not acceptable without exception.

Any current or prospective customers of Paayed must not directly or indirectly be involved in and/or use our services in relation to any of the following activities:

  • Pyramid selling
  • Ponzi Scheme
  • Substances designed that mimic illegal drugs (e.g. Salvia, Kratom)
  • Escort agencies / sexual services
  • Adult websites and content
  • Sale of dangerous or hazardous goods, including but not limited to gunpowder and other explosives, radioactive and flammable materials
  • Trade of weapons, ammunitions, military arms, explosive devices and firearm parts
  • Stolen goods, including virtual and digital goods
  • Calling cards
  • Virtual currencies, including but not limited to Bitcoin and Bitcoin exchanges
  • File hosting and cyberlockers
  • PC support sold via outbound telemarketing
  • Online sales of cigarettes / vapes / cigars
  • Any products and/or services identified by government agencies as prohibited or with a high likelihood of being fraudulent
  • Sale of government IDs or documents such as tax applications, passports, visas, etc.
  • Non face-to-face gambling activities, gaming, casino games, horse racing, sports betting, lottery tickets, games of skill and fantasy sports
  • Illegal narcotics
  • Any form of debt and loan related businesses
  • Internet pharmacies (including referral sites) or prescription drugs / devices
  • Money service businesses, including but not limited to money transmitters, wire transfers, provider or seller of pre-paid access / stored value
  • Security brokers & investments of any kind including but not limited to securities, shares, options or other financial instruments
  • Dissolved / liquidated / bankrupt entities

Unqualified Business Models

Paayed shall only contract with merchants who identify themselves as a direct-seller business model. That is, the merchant must satisfy the following criteria:

  • The merchant represents itself as selling the goods and services to the cardholder — no third party processing
  • The merchant primarily uses its name to identify the Merchant Outlet
  • The merchant provides recourse in the event of a dispute
  • The merchant operates and trades primarily from the UK
  • Corporate
  • Business
  • Personal