MCC 5309 - Duty Free

The Merchant Category Code (MCC) 5309, designated as "Duty Free," is specifically assigned to businesses that operate in the sale of duty-free goods. This category primarily captures retail outlets located in international zones such as airports, seaports, and borders where goods can be sold free of local import duties and taxes. These businesses serve travelers and tourists, offering products like alcohol, tobacco, cosmetics, and luxury goods at competitive prices.
Types of Services
- Retail Sales: The primary service under MCC 5309 involves selling a wide variety of products directly to consumers without additional local import taxes or duties.
- Travel Retail: These outlets cater specifically to international travelers either entering or departing a country, requiring proof of travel, such as a boarding pass, before purchase.
Related MCCs
- MCC 5311: Department Stores: Comprises large retail establishments selling a wide assortment of goods, typically including clothing, electronics, and household items, differing from duty-free due to the inclusion of local taxes.
- MCC 5331: Variety Stores: Covers stores offering a mix of various items at affordable prices, distinct from duty-free stores which focus on tax-exempt luxury goods.
FAQs
- What is a Duty-Free shop?
- Duty-free shops are retail outlets whose goods are exempt from certain local or national taxes and duties, on the requirement that the goods are only sold to travelers who will take them out of the country. - How is a Duty-Free shop different from a regular retail store?
- Duty-free shops do not charge the local import taxes that regular retail stores within the country would impose, offering a tax-saving incentive to international travelers.
MCC Categories
Agricultural Services Airlines Business Services Car rent Cars and vehicles Clothing stores Contract services Entertainment services Government Services Hotels / Resorts Mail / Telephone Sales Membership оrganizations Miscellaneous Stores Not categorized Personal services Professional services Repair services Retail Outlet Services Service provider Transportation Services Utility Services Wholesale suppliers and manufacturers