Countries and Regions Where Mastercard Is Not Accepted

Mastercard is a widely accepted payment method globally, but there are some countries and regions where it's not accepted.

North Korea is one such place where Mastercard is not accepted due to international sanctions.

In Cuba, Mastercard is not accepted for cash withdrawals, but it can be used for purchases.

In some African countries, including Somalia and South Sudan, Mastercard is not widely accepted due to limited banking infrastructure.

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You'll likely encounter some merchants who don't accept Mastercard, even though it's a widely accepted credit card network. Some small businesses might not want to deal with the fees they get charged for accepting credit cards.

You might run into cash-only merchants or vendors at events like local fairs. These merchants often prefer to stick with cash transactions.

Some merchants have exclusive deals with other credit card networks, like Costco, which only accepts Visa cards. However, such cases are relatively rare.

Certain online purchases, like those made using virtual currency like bitcoin, might not be compatible with Mastercard.

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In some parts of the world, Mastercard isn't widely accepted, which can be a hassle for travelers.

In Cuba, Mastercard is not accepted due to US trade restrictions.

North Korea is another country where Mastercard is not accepted, as the country has limited international financial connections.

In Iran, Mastercard is not accepted due to US sanctions, making alternative payment methods like cash or other credit cards a necessity.

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In some parts of the world, Mastercard acceptance is limited due to various reasons. North Korea is one such region where Mastercard is not widely accepted.

Some countries have restrictions on international transactions, making Mastercard less popular. In Iran, for example, Mastercard is not accepted due to US sanctions.

In other areas, the lack of modern payment infrastructure makes Mastercard acceptance a challenge. In some parts of Africa, rural areas often lack access to ATMs and point-of-sale terminals.

Mastercard acceptance is also limited in some countries due to regulatory restrictions. In some cases, local banks and financial institutions may not be allowed to process international transactions.

In some regions, cash is king, and Mastercard acceptance is not as prevalent. In some parts of Asia, for instance, cash is still the preferred mode of payment.

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Mastercard has fewer published rules than Visa regarding limited acceptance, and even its signage comment doesn’t specify that it’s a requirement.

Some businesses may only accept debit Mastercards, in which case they must display signage for at least three months. You can request signage from Mastercard's website.

Mastercard also requires acquirers to provide businesses with a list of BINs (bank identification numbers) that apply to debit Mastercards upon request. This is especially important for businesses that may need to update their BIN information after new Mastercard BINs were introduced in 2017.

To become a Mastercard merchant, you'll need to meet their requirements, which include having a valid business license and tax identification number.

You'll also need to provide financial statements and a business plan, which can be a bit of a hurdle for new businesses.

Merchants must be able to provide a minimum of $10,000 in annual sales, which is a relatively high bar for small businesses.

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The application process typically takes 7-10 business days to complete, but can be faster if you have all the necessary documents ready.

Mastercard requires merchants to have a secure payment processing system, including a valid SSL certificate, to protect customer data.

Merchants must also comply with Mastercard's data security standards, which include regular security audits and penetration testing.

You can use your Mastercard at most merchants, but there are some exceptions. Merchants who don't take credit cards are one example - you'll likely find some cash-only businesses along the way.

Some merchants have exclusive deals with other credit card networks, like Costco, which only accepts Visa cards. You might not find many places that exclude Mastercard, but it's still something to be aware of.

Certain online purchases can only be completed using virtual currency, such as bitcoin. This might limit your options in some cases.

You can't use your credit card to pay another credit card's bill on a monthly basis, but you can transfer a balance from one card to another with a 0% introductory balance transfer APR.

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