Stripe decline code
merchant_blacklistThe card issuer has blocked your merchant account specifically.
Type
Recoverable
Frequency
Raremerchant_blacklist is a rare but serious code. It means the issuing bank has put your business on a block list, often because of a past chargeback from that specific cardholder or a broader block on your business. The customer must use a different card or a different bank.
Do not retry the same card. If merchant_blacklist rates are high, review your chargeback history and contact Stripe support.
Ask the customer to use a different card. Do not explain the block; it can be sensitive (e.g., related to past disputes).
Permanent issue. The card cannot be charged. Customer must provide a new payment method.
Not directly. The block is issuer-side. In severe cases, Stripe or your acquirer may help you negotiate with card networks, but most blocks are resolved by the cardholder using a different card or bank.
How Rebounce handles merchant_blacklist
Rebounce classifies every failed payment by its Stripe decline code and applies the optimal recovery strategy automatically. For merchant_blacklist, that means skipping retries and contacting the customer immediately. Multi-channel follow-up through email, SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app banners ensures the customer actually sees the message.