Assignment guidance
When MCC 8398 should be used
- For non-political charitable or social-service organizations collecting donations or service payments.
- For fundraising bodies whose primary purpose is charitable or social support.
Nonprofit organizations
MCC 8398
Charitable and social service organizations
Non-political charitable or social-service organizations, including fundraising bodies.
Boundary guidance
When MCC 8398 should not be used
- For political organizations, religious organizations, or civic and fraternal associations with dedicated MCCs.
- For commercial businesses donating part of their proceeds to charity.
Scheme comparison
Names and evidence status
Absence from public material is not treated as proof that a scheme does not use the MCC.
| Scheme | Evidence | Scheme wording | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | Official | Charitable Social Service OrganizationsGlobal Visa merchant-data manual, April 2026, PDF page 109. | Different wording |
| Mastercard | Official | Organizations, Charitable and Social ServiceMastercard Merchant Edition reference, 16 April 2024, PDF page 218. | Different wording |
| American Express | Publicly not found | No current public definition locatedThe complete American Express Codes Reference Guide is not public. This is not evidence that the MCC is unsupported. | Not available |
| Discover / Diners Club | Publicly not found | No current public definition locatedNo complete current public Discover / Diners Club MCC catalogue was located. This is not evidence that the MCC is unsupported. | Not available |
| UnionPay | Not reviewed | No global definition reviewedThe official material reviewed so far is limited to EEA fee appendices and is not a global definition catalogue. | Not available |
Provenance
Sources reviewed
- Visa Merchant Data Standards ManualApril 2026 · global · official · PDF page 109
- Mastercard Quick Reference Booklet - Merchant Edition16 April 2024 · official · PDF page 218
SchemeLens descriptions and use boundaries are editorial summaries of the cited material. Final MCC assignment depends on the merchant's primary business, current scheme rules, region, programme, and acquirer requirements.