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Level 2 Credit Card Processing: What Is It Exactly?

Level 2 Credit Card Processing: What Is It Exactly?

Level 2 Credit Card Processing: Save up to 0.50% in fees with B2B payments. Adds data fields, reduces fraud, lowers costs, and ensures secure, eco-friendly transactions.

Did you know businesses can save up to 0.50% in interchange rates with level 2 credit card processing? This method is made for B2B processing and beats standard fees. It makes payments more secure and eco-friendly, as it adds extra data fields.

With this, your risk of fraud goes down, and you might spend less on transactions. Level 2 processing mainly helps with US domestic payments. It makes transactions more reliable and can lower fees.

Let's look into how level 2 processing can boost your business's security and save money. We'll look at its benefits and how it works.

Key Takeaways

  • Level 2 credit card processing can save businesses 0.50% on interchange rates.
  • This processing method is ideal for B2B and B2G transactions, enhancing transaction security.
  • Additional data fields improve transparency and reduce fraud risks.
  • Utilizing level 2 processing may lower your overall credit card transaction costs.
  • Understanding level 2 requirements helps in maximizing your savings.

What Are Credit Card Processing Levels?

Credit card processing levels help sort transactions by how much info they need. Knowing these levels can change how much your business pays for transactions and how it handles data. There are three main levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, each with its own rules and perks.

Level 1

Level 1 processing is the simplest. It only needs basic info like the card number, when it expires, how much you're spending, who you are, and what kind of business you run. Even though it's easy, it costs more because it's riskier for fraud.

Level 2

Level 2 processing adds more details to Level 1. You need all the Level 1 info plus sales tax, what you're selling, where it's going, and sometimes a Purchase Order number. It's great for business-to-business (B2B) deals because it saves money on fees.

Level 3

Level 3 processing is the most detailed. It requires all Level 1 and Level 2 info, plus more like item codes, where it's going, discounts, prices, and shipping costs. It's best for big deals because it lowers fees even more than Level 1.

Processing Level
Data Requirements
Advantages
Typical Interchange Rate
Level 1
Basic cardholder info
Simple transactions
Higher interchange fees
Level 2
Level 1 data + sales tax, item descriptions, etc.
Cost savings for B2B transactions
2.50% + $0.10 (Visa Commercial)
Level 3
Level 2 data + item codes, discounts, etc.
Lower interchange fees for large purchases
1.90% + $0.10 (Visa Commercial)

What is Level 2 Credit Card Processing?

Level 2 credit card processing is a special way to handle business payments.Merchants must add additional data for transactions beyond the usual.

This includes sales tax, customer codes, and purchase order numbers. To get Level 2, businesses must have a lot of transactions, over 1 million. This extra data makes transactions safer and clearer. It also cuts down on fraud and disputes. This makes Level 2 a top choice for many companies.

Choosing Level 2 can save a lot of money. Fees are lower than Level 1, especially for commercial cards. For example, commercial cards might pay 2.50% + $0.10, while Standard rates are 2.95% + $0.10.

With more government and institutional cardholders wanting Level 3 data, Level 2 is a good choice. It helps with customer service and follows industry standards. This leads to better financial health for businesses.

Level 2 Credit Card Processing with Visa US

Visa Level 2 processing helps businesses cut down on transaction costs. It uses a special interchange fee structure for Level 2 credit card transactions. This way, merchants can save money on transaction costs.

For example, interchange rates for Visa US Business Level II programs are between 1.90% + $0.10 and 2.25% + $0.10. This pricing is competitive, making Level 2 processing 0.2% to 0.5% cheaper than Level 1 for businesses.

To get Visa Level 2 processing, you need to meet certain requirements. You must complete an Annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire and pass compliance testing. Visa mainly offers these benefits for commercial credit card transactions.

When you give detailed transaction information like customer order date and tax details, you can get better interchange rates. This is thanks to Visa interchange fees.

Visa Level 2 Processing Benefits
Interchange Fees
Transaction Costs Reduction
Lower overall processing expenses
1.90% + $0.10 - 2.25% + $0.10
0.2% to 0.5% less than Level 1
Eligibility for commercial transactions
Reduced rates for high-volume transactions
Up to 0.50% savings on interchange fees
Access to detailed transaction data
Enhanced data provides better interchange rates
More accurate tax and fee reporting

Businesses need to collect and submit the right data. This includes shipping and handling amounts, and duty amounts. This information helps with a smoother transaction process and can lead to cost savings.

It's wise to talk to your payment processor. They can help you understand how these factors can benefit your business.

Level 2 Credit Card Processing with Mastercard US

Mastercard Level 2 processing makes payments better for merchants and saves money. It cuts Mastercard fees by about 0.75% per transaction. This is great for businesses with 1 to 6 million transactions a year, as they get lower rates.

To meet Mastercard's Level 2 needs, you must give detailed transaction info. This includes sales tax, merchant tax ID, and invoice numbers. This detailed data boosts savings and security, lowering fraud risks.

  • Tax Amount
  • Tax Indicator
  • Duty Amount
  • Shipping From Postal Code
  • Destination Country Code

API v64 brings better payment processes and rates. From API v67, shipping and handling tax details are added, making things more complex.

Mastercard says all data must be submitted for Level 2 success. Businesses must give accurate info to their acquirers to get the most from Mastercard Level 2.

Data Requirement
Description
Card Number
Primary account number for transaction processing
Expiration Date
Valid through date of the card
Merchant Tax ID
Tax identification related to the merchant
Sales Tax
Applicable sales tax on the transaction
Invoice Number
Unique identifier for the transaction invoice
Customer Code
Identifier for the customer making the purchase
Shipping Information
Details regarding the shipping of purchased items

These details make transactions stronger and let you save on Mastercard fees. As your business grows, using Mastercard Level 2 can save you money and make things more efficient.

Benefits of Using Level 2 Credit Card Processing

Level 2 credit card processing brings many benefits to your business. It offers detailed transaction info, lowering costs and boosting security. It also gives insights into how customers behave.

Lower Processing Fees

Level 2 processing provides access to reduced interchange rates due to the extra data it transmits during transactions. These savings are particularly significant for businesses handling large volumes of payments, as interchange fees are a substantial part of credit card processing costs. 

For example, businesses can see savings of 0.5% or more per transaction compared to standard processing rates, adding up to thousands of dollars annually for high-volume operations.

Enhanced Data Security

Level 2 processing collects additional information such as tax amounts and customer identification codes, which helps minimize fraud and unauthorized transactions. The detailed data ensures better tracking, making it harder for bad actors to exploit vulnerabilities in the payment system. This additional security is especially valuable for businesses dealing with sensitive or high-value transactions.

Improved Customer Insights

The detailed transactional data collected through Level 2 processing, such as invoice numbers and purchase order details, can help businesses understand their customers better. These insights allow for more targeted marketing, personalized offers, and improved customer retention strategies. 

For example, analyzing the spending patterns of key clients can help identify upselling opportunities or preferred payment methods.

Streamlined Reporting and Reconciliation

With additional transaction data automatically recorded, Level 2 processing reduces the manual effort needed to reconcile accounts. Tax compliance becomes easier, as details like sales tax are already captured and categorized. This feature is particularly useful for accounting teams, ensuring accurate financial reports and less room for human error.

B2B and B2G Compliance

B2B and B2G clients often require detailed transaction data for their own accounting and compliance needs. Level 2 processing helps businesses meet these requirements, as it provides detailed receipts and transaction records. Being equipped for Level 2 compliance not only makes your business more attractive to these clients but also reduces the chances of disputes or delays in payments.

Increased Professionalism

Using Level 2 credit card processing positions your business as professional and reliable. When dealing with larger organizations, the ability to provide detailed invoices and clear payment records enhances your credibility. It signals that your business is equipped to handle complex transactions and meets higher standards of service.

benefits of using level 2 credit card processing

How to Qualify for Level 2 Credit Card Processing

To qualify for Level 2 credit card processing, businesses need to meet specific criteria. Understand the credit card data requirements to stay compliant and save money. Businesses must process a large number of transactions each year, usually between one million to six million for Visa.

Keeping all your data and documents up to date increases your chances of getting Level 2 processing. Follow these steps to save on interchange fees and make your transaction processes smoother.

  1. Understand the required transaction volume set by Visa and Mastercard.
  2. Gather comprehensive transaction data to meet Level 2 credit card data requirements.
  3. Verify your Merchant Category Code (MCC) to ensure qualification.
  4. Maintain accurate documentation for all processing transactions.

Mastercard also has its own rules for commercial cards. Besides the number of transactions, businesses must submit detailed data. This includes tax amount, tax ID, tax indicator, and customer code or purchase order number.

Having this information helps businesses get lower interchange rates than Level 1. But, they still pay more than Level 3 rates. Also, check your Merchant Category Codes (MCC). Some codes might not qualify you for Level 2 processing.

how to qualify for level 2 credit card processing

Streamline Your Payments with DepositFix

DepositFix changes how businesses handle payments. It combines Level 2 and Level 3 data needs. This makes transactions smoother and more efficient.

Automated processes make payments easier. You get consistent reports and save money on processing. This helps you make better financial choices.

Feature
Benefit
Level 2 and Level 3 Data Integration
Access to detailed transaction reporting and optimization
Automated Processes
Increased operational efficiency and reduced manual errors
Comprehensive Reporting Tools
Enhanced analysis for smarter financial decision-making
Cost Reduction Strategies
Lower processing fees through better data management

DepositFix is the perfect solution for businesses seeking secure, flexible payment methods. It streamlines your payments and boosts your financial and operational performance.

Conclusion

Level 2 credit card processing is an option for businesses wanting to improve their payment methods. It adds extra data like tax amounts and customer codes. This leads to lower fees and better security.

It also meets the detailed needs of corporate clients. This gives your business a competitive edge, especially in B2B deals.

Thinking about the benefits of Level 2 processing? It cuts interchange costs by about 0.50% for certain cards. It also makes reporting easier.

As you look at your payment patterns and customer base, Level 2 processing offers big financial benefits. It's a wise choice for growing your business.

Choosing the right processing level can save your business a lot of money. Level 2 credit card processing is more than a trend. It's a smart move for the future of B2B and B2G payments.

FAQs

What types of businesses benefit most from Level 2 credit card processing?

Level 2 processing is ideal for businesses in B2B (business-to-business) and B2G (business-to-government) sectors, as they often require additional transaction details for compliance, accounting, and reporting purposes. Industries like wholesale, manufacturing, and government contracting typically benefit from these enhanced capabilities. It’s also helpful for subscription-based businesses and companies handling large-ticket items.

Are there any risks associated with using Level 2 credit card processing?

One potential risk is the complexity of managing additional transaction data. Businesses need to ensure they have the right tools to capture, store, and manage the extra details, which can increase administrative tasks. Also, if the required data is not properly recorded, the business may not qualify for the reduced processing rates, negating the potential cost savings. However, with proper system integration and training, these risks can be minimized.

Do all credit card processors support Level 2 processing?

Not all credit card processors support Level 2 processing. Choose a payment gateway or processor that offers this feature. Some popular processors like Stripe, Authorize.net, and PayPal support Level 2 processing when integrated with the correct systems. Always confirm with your processor whether they can handle Level 2 transactions before implementing it in your business.

Is Level 2 processing available for online transactions?

Yes, Level 2 processing can be used for online transactions, provided your payment gateway or processor supports it. For example, gateways like Stripe, Authorize.net, and others allow for Level 2 data capture during online payments. This is especially useful for businesses selling high-ticket items or managing recurring payments that need additional transaction data.

See how you can save up to 60%+ with DepositFix.
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