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The platform enforces a list of Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) for which all card transactions are declined, regardless of card- or account-level configuration. These restrictions exist for scheme-compliance and risk reasons and cannot be overridden on a per-card or per-program basis. When a transaction matches one of these MCCs, the decline is surfaced as: 
{
  "status": "DECLINED",
  "declineReason": {
    "code": "MERCHANT_CATEGORY_CODE_NOT_ALLOWED",
    "message": "This merchant category is not allowed on this card. Please use a different payment method."
  }
}
The merchant MCC is also visible on the transaction itself under merchant.mccCode and merchant.mccCategory, so you can confirm which category triggered the decline.

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Restricted categories

MCCDescription
5542Automated Fuel Dispensers (AFD)
Most pay-at-the-pump fuel dispensers fall under MCC 5542. Inside-the-store fuel purchases (e.g. paying at the cashier inside a gas station) typically use MCC 5541 and are not restricted by this list.