MasterCard Rules (PDF)

Cardholder-activated Terminal (CAT) Transactions
C.2.4 CAT Level 3: Limited Amount Terminals (CAT 3)
1. There is no maximum amount limit for Transactions authorized online by
the Issuer. The maximum amount limit for Transactions authorized offline
by the EMV chip is USD 100, or its local currency equivalent.
2. A CAT 2 Hybrid POS Terminal must be capable of performing fallback
procedures from chip to magnetic stripe, unless it is prohibited by a region.
3. CAT 2 devices may support AVS and CVC 2 validation.
4. Chargeback rights apply to Transactions at CAT 2 devices under message
reason codes 4808, 4837, and 4840 and do not apply with respect to
message reason codes 4863 and 4871.
5. Card retention at CAT 2 devices is not required; however, if the capability
is available, the Merchant may do so only at the Issuer’s specific direction
and in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 5 of the Security
Rules and Procedures manual.
C.2.4 CAT Level 3: Limited Amount Terminals (CAT 3)
The following CVM requirements apply to CAT 3 devices:
1. CAT 3 devices must accept “No CVM” as the CVM.
2. CAT 3 devices may accept offline PIN as the CVM for chip Transactions, in
accordance with the security requirements for PIN and key management.
3. CAT 3 devices must not accept signature as the CVM.
4. Use of CAT 3 devices is restricted to the following MCCs:
• 4784—Bridges and Road Fees, Tolls
• 7523—Automobile Parking Lots and Garages
• 7542—Car Washes
• 5499—Miscellaneous Food Stores-Convenience Stores, Markets, and
Specialty Stores, solely for PayPass-only Transactions occurring within
Germany, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland,
Turkey, and the United Kingdom
The following authorization requirements apply to CAT 3 devices:
1. The CAT 3 device must not have online capability. Chip Transactions may
be authorized offline by the EMV chip.
2. The CAT 3 device must check the Card account number against the
Electronic Warning Bulletin when the device has such capability.
3. Limit-1 and X-code processing does not apply.
The following maximum Transaction amount requirements apply to CAT 3
devices:
1. At PayPass-only CAT 3 devices located in:
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C-4 12 December 2012 • MasterCard Rules