MasterCard Rules (PDF)

2.3.2.5 Registration Procedure
Europe Region Rules
2.3 Area of Use
To register to centrally acquire in the Western and Central European countries
listed in Rule 2.3.2.4 above, the Customer must submit to the Corporation
a single application form covering all such Western and Central European
countries. The central acquiring registration letter will cover all such Western
and Central European countries.
To register to centrally acquire in other countries, the Customer must submit to
the Corporation an application form for each Merchant and country where the
Customer wishes to centrally acquire Transactions.
2.3.2.6 Extension of Registration
In the Western and Central European countries listed in Rule 2.3.2.4 above,
a central Acquirer is not required to comply with any formal procedures in
order to extend its central acquiring Activities to a new country in Western
and Central Europe.
In all other countries, a Customer that wishes to extend its central acquiring
Activities to a new Merchant or country must follow the registration procedure
set forth in Rule 2.3.2.5 above.
2.3.2.7 Interchange Fee Requirements
If a central Acquirer acquires an Intracountry Transaction, the following
principles apply to the interchange fee:
1. The central Acquirer may agree upon bilateral interchange fees with the
Issuer; and
2. Unless a bilateral agreement applicable to an Intracountry Transaction has
been established between two Customers, the interchange fees applicable
to an Intracountry Transaction set forth in Rule 9.5 will apply.
If a central Acquirer acquires a Non-Intracountry Transaction, the following
principles apply to the interchange fee:
1. The central Acquirer may agree upon bilateral interchange fees with the
Issuer; and
2. Unless a bilateral agreement applicable to a Non-Intracountry Transaction
has been established between two Customers, the interchange fees
applicable to a Non-Intracountry Transaction set forth in Rule 9.4 will apply.
2.3.2.8 Settlement of Disputes
Any disputes relating to central acquiring will be resolved by the Corporation in
accordance with the Standards.
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MasterCard Rules • 12 December 2012 12-5