Understanding how Merchant Category Codes differ between Singapore and other countries
MCC codes are globally standardized by Visa and Mastercard—but the same merchant can have different MCCs in different countries. This affects which credit card bonuses you earn when traveling or shopping online.
MCC codes are maintained by major payment networks and follow ISO standards. The 4-digit codes are generally consistent across borders—but merchant classification is determined locally when businesses set up payment processing.
Online marketplaces often use different MCCs depending on regional operations:
| Platform | Singapore | Other Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Shopee | 5399 | Varies by country |
| Lazada | 5399 | Varies by country |
| Amazon | 5399 | 5399 or 4511 (US) |
| eBay | 5399 | 5399 or 7399 (US) |
Food delivery MCCs vary significantly by region:
| Service | Singapore | Other Regions |
|---|---|---|
| GrabFood | 5814 | Varies (5812/5814) |
| Foodpanda | 5812 | Varies by country |
| Uber Eats | N/A | 5812/5814 |
| Deliveroo | N/A | 5812 |
Transportation MCCs are generally consistent:
| Service | Singapore | Other Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Grab | 4121 | 4121 |
| Gojek | 4121 | 4121 |
| Uber | N/A | 4121 |
Regional MCC differences directly affect which credit card bonuses you earn. Here's what to watch for:
Some Singapore cards exclude foreign currency transactions from bonus categories. Check your card's T&Cs before assuming overseas MCCs will earn bonuses.
Shopping on foreign websites (e.g., Amazon US) may use different MCCs than local versions. The MCC you earn is based on where the merchant is registered, not your location.
Cards like UOB Visa Signature and UOB PPV generally earn MCC-based bonuses worldwide, making them good choices for travelers. Always verify before traveling.
Look up merchant MCC codes and verify bonus card eligibility