MCC 5122: Drugs, Drug Proprietors & Druggists' Sundries
MDR (IC++)
0.5% - 3%
Markup over interchange + scheme
Rolling reserve
5% - 15%
Typical 180-day hold
Risk tier
Elevated
Typical acquirer treatment
Pharmaceutical wholesale, nutraceuticals, supplements, and wellness products.
Elevated-tier codes are underwritten selectively. Expect closer file review, moderate reserves, and pricing that rewards a clean chargeback record.
Acquiring notes.
Nutraceuticals and supplements carry a reputation built by aggressive trial-offer sellers, so underwriting leans on marketing claims and rebilling mechanics. Honest product claims, visible terms and conservative continuity offers separate durable merchants from the pattern acquirers screen against. Expect ingredient-level product review in some markets.
Figures are typical ranges from the BZNpay MCC catalogue, not an offer. The acquiring bank makes the final code assignment and sets final terms. BZNpay places merchants in this category: one qualified file brings back 2 or 3 acquirers whose appetite covers it, typically within 24 hours.
MCC 5122 questions.
Who assigns MCC 5122?
Your acquiring bank assigns the MCC during underwriting, based on your business description and, increasingly, site-crawl and checkout review. The card networks define the list of codes and the rules for each one.
What does MCC 5122 cost to process under?
In our catalogue, 5122 typically carries an MDR of 0.5% - 3% IC++ (markup over interchange and scheme fees) with a rolling reserve of 5% - 15%. Where you land in the band depends on licensing where applicable, financials, and chargeback history. Final terms are set by the acquirer.
Can I process under a different, lower-risk code?
No. Operating under an MCC that does not match your actual business is miscoding, which card networks detect and punish with termination plus MATCH-list placement. If you believe your current code genuinely misrepresents your business, an acquirer can review and re-code.
Other codes in Retail, Health & Beauty.
Processing under 5122? Read how we place Nutraceuticals and CBD merchants.