7513 Truck and utility trailer rentals

Introduction

• What it is: This MCC code covers businesses that rent trucks and utility trailers.
• Risk level: Medium — Moderate risk due to potential damage or theft of rental equipment.
• Acceptance difficulty: Medium — Some payment processors may require additional verification given the nature of rentals.
• Typical business models: truck rental agencies; utility trailer rental services; moving equipment rentals; RV rental companies.
• For merchants: Expect potentially higher MDR rates; equipment damage reserves may be required; clear rental agreements needed.
• What PSPs expect: Valid business registration; proof of insurance for rental vehicles; detailed service offerings on platform.

Payment Insights & Benchmarks

Merchants in this MCC should plan for specific payment challenges associated with truck and utility trailer rentals. Acceptance often hinges on payment method preferences, fraud prevention measures, and overall risk management.

Payment methods

Cards: usually the most common method, yet often subject to higher fraud screening.

• E-wallets: provide an alternative but may have comparatively lower acceptance rates.
• Prepaid cards: useful for customers who prefer not to use credit, although subject to restrictions.
• ACH transfers: popular for larger transactions, but can result in longer settlement times.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): increasingly adopted, catering to customers preferring payment flexibility, but may carry additional costs.

Authentication & security

Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) practices, including 3DS, are frequently implemented.

• While these measures enhance security, they may complicate the checkout process, impacting conversion rates.
• Monitoring for fraudulent behavior should include rental patterns, customer identification, and device anomalies.

Benchmarks (indicative, not guaranteed)

MDR: generally higher than standard e-commerce rates due to higher risk.

• Rolling reserves: often seen, especially for first-time merchants or high-risk transactions.
• Settlement times: typically longer, frequently exceeding 5 days.
• Chargeback ratios: can be elevated due to the nature of rentals and potential disputes.
• Approval rates: generally lower for card payments, with higher rates for e-wallets.

Key metrics to monitor

Authorization success rates across different payment methods.

• Chargeback reasons broken down by rental vs. fraud cases.
• Decline rates categorized by payment method and reason.
• Customer payment preferences and behavior trends over time.

Risk & Compliance

Merchants under the MCC 7513 for truck and utility trailer rentals face significant scrutiny due to the potential for fraud and chargebacks within the rental industry. PSPs and acquirers enforce stricter compliance measures, expecting merchants to actively manage risk and uphold robust AML/KYC protocols.

Chargebacks & fraud

Common types of fraud include friendly fraud, where customers claim they did not authorize the rental, and identity theft through the use of stolen credit cards.

• Rental agreements can be exploited for unauthorized usage, where individuals may fail to return vehicles or trailers.
• Mitigation tools include device fingerprinting, verification of user transactions against historical data, and proactive fraud detection systems that flag atypical rental patterns.

AML/KYC expectations

Strong identity verification processes (IDV) are crucial, with requirements for checks against watchlists for sanctions and PEPs.

• Source-of-funds verification is mandatory, particularly for large rentals or unusual payment behaviors.
• Manual reviews are typically triggered by irregular rental durations, high-value transactions, and rentals booked using anonymous or unverifiable payment methods.

Operational red flags

Lack of transparency in ownership structures, especially if multiple layers of companies are involved, can raise concerns for PSPs.

• High traffic from unverified referral sources or locations associated with high risk leads to increased scrutiny.
• Absence of clear terms around rental returns, damages, and insurance coverage can signal operational weaknesses.
• Failure to implement robust operational controls, such as monitoring for suspicious rental patterns or payment anomalies.

Onboarding Checklist

Merchants operating under the Truck and Utility Trailer Rentals MCC should prepare a comprehensive onboarding package prior to contacting PSPs or acquirers. A well-organized submission significantly enhances approval chances and accelerates review processes.

Legal & corporate documents

company registration and incorporation documents

• disclosure of beneficial owners (UBO) and corporate structure
• valid licenses for the relevant business activities
• policies: Terms of Service, Privacy, AML/KYC, Refund Policy

Financials & risk management

recent financial statements and cashflow forecasts

• liquidity or reserve model for rental transactions
• description of antifraud setup and monitoring tools

Product & marketing

demo access or screenshots of the rental platform

• marketing plan and traffic source overview (affiliates, SEO, PPC)
• geographic targeting information
• KYC flow details, including IDV providers and thresholds

Technical integration & security

payment architecture overview with supported methods/providers

• description of SCA/3DS flows, retry logic, and tokenization
• PCI DSS compliance status and data storage policy

Operations

customer support coverage (languages, 24/7 if available)

• SLA for dispute handling and chargeback response
• rental terms, payment, and refund policies
• internal process for chargeback investigation and documentation

Regulation & Licensing

Licensing and certification are essential for merchants in the truck and utility trailer rentals MCC, ensuring compliance with local regulations and safety standards. The recognition of licenses by PSPs varies based on the merchant's jurisdiction and target markets.

Operator licenses

Vehicle Rental Licenses — often required by state or local governments to operate rental services, ensuring adherence to safety and operational standards.

• Commercial Vehicle Operation Certificates — may be mandated for businesses renting out trucks to confirm compliance with transportation regulations.
• Business Licenses — general business operation permits from local municipalities that verify legitimate commercial activity.
• Some states may have specific environmental regulations affecting rental operations, particularly for larger vehicles.

Geo-restrictions

Certain regions may require unique local permits or licenses, limiting operations across state lines.

• International operations may be restricted based on local vehicular regulations, necessitating compliance with foreign laws.
• Some PSPs might deny transactions from merchants located in areas with stringent rental vehicle regulations.

Certifications & audits

Compliance with PCI DSS standards if payment card transactions are involved.

• Safety audits to ensure the vehicles meet local safety regulations and standards.
• Insurance certifications verifying that all rental vehicles are adequately insured for liability.
• Background checks and compliance reviews may be required for drivers renting commercial vehicles.

Official Definitions & Network Comparisons

This section shows how major card networks define this MCC and highlights practical differences that affect merchant onboarding.

Explanation:

Each network provides a definition that emphasizes vehicle rentals, but the terms vary slightly (e.g., "truck" vs "vehicle"). This can impact how different rental types are categorized and accepted. Policies often include regional restrictions, requirements for insurance, and compliance with local laws. Common reasons for denial can include inadequate documentation of rental agreements or failure to meet geographic conditions for service.

Alternative MCC Codes

Merchants often confuse this MCC with other categories. The table below shows which codes are related, why they are confused, and what risks misclassification brings.

Rule of thumb for merchants:

If your business primarily involves the rental of trucks or utility trailers, it should be classified under MCC 7513. Mixing in services or products from other categories can lead to compliance issues and potential account actions. Always classify based on the primary service provided.

Best Practices for Merchants

Merchants in the truck and utility trailer rentals sector must navigate unique challenges related to customer transactions and operational risks. By adhering to best practices, merchants can enhance payment acceptance, minimize dispute risks, and foster positive relationships with payment service providers (PSPs).

Classification & transparency

always use the correct MCC; misclassifying can lead to account issues or closures

• prominently display rental agreements, geographical service areas, and fees on the website
• ensure billing descriptors accurately reflect the service provided to avoid customer confusion

Fraud & chargeback reduction

implement 3DS or step-up authentication for high-value bookings or specific risk indicators

• utilize clear billing descriptors and confirmation communications (SMS/email) to inform customers
• log all rental transactions and incidents as evidence in case of disputes

Payment acceptance optimization

support various payment methods (credit/debit cards, wallets) to cater to customer preferences

• consider routing options based on customer location or booking method to optimize success rates
• use separate merchant IDs for online and in-store rentals to maintain compliance with different channels

Operational discipline

monitor KPIs such as authorization rates, chargebacks, and customer feedback consistently

• conduct regular compliance audits to ensure adherence to policies and industry regulations
• prepare a dedicated process and team for managing customer disputes effectively

Payouts & liquidity

maintain liquidity reserves to manage rolling reserves often required in rental industries

• set up automated AML checks on customer accounts, particularly for high-value transactions
• regularly review payout cycles and adjust to accommodate peak rental seasons or increased demand

Business Scope & Examples

This MCC encompasses businesses engaged in the rental of trucks and utility trailers. Merchants classified under this category typically provide vehicles for transport purposes, catering to both personal and commercial needs. The services include short-term and long-term rentals, often supported by additional equipment and services.

Models

van and truck rental services (e.g., moving companies)

• utility trailer rental businesses (e.g., for hauling goods)
• towable trailer rental services (e.g., for camping or equipment transport)
• specialty vehicle rentals (e.g., refrigerated trucks, flatbed trailers)

Borderline cases

Car rental services — businesses renting standard passenger vehicles; classified separately under a different MCC.

• Equipment rental — renting out tools or machinery without vehicles; not covered under this MCC.
• Ride-sharing services — platforms offering passenger transport without rental aspects, typically not classified here.

Signals for correct classification

rental periods are typically hourly, daily, or weekly rather than long-term leasing

• vehicles are primarily used for transporting goods or equipment
• the business provides rental contracts with clear terms and conditions