← All Stripe decline codes

Stripe decline code

transaction_not_allowed

The card issuer has blocked this type of transaction for this card.

Type

Hard decline

Recoverable

Partially recoverable

Frequency

Uncommon

What does transaction_not_allowed mean?

transaction_not_allowed is returned when the bank has a policy that specifically blocks online charges, international charges, subscription charges, or charges in your merchant category. It is not something you can fix as a merchant. The customer has to either use a different card or contact their bank to lift the block.

Recovery strategy

Retry approach

Do not retry the same card. Request an alternative.

Customer message

Explain that the card's bank policy does not allow this type of transaction. Ask for a different card, or suggest the customer contact their bank to enable the transaction type.

Best practices

  • Accept multiple card brands and payment methods
  • Monitor the rate; a spike could mean a specific issuer has changed policy

About hard declines

Permanent issue. The card cannot be charged. Customer must provide a new payment method.

Frequently asked questions

Can the customer fix transaction_not_allowed?

Sometimes. If the block is self-imposed (e.g., online transactions disabled in their banking app), they can toggle it. If it is a bank policy, they need to call the bank or use a different card.

How Rebounce handles transaction_not_allowed

Automatic hard decline handling, no code required

Rebounce classifies every failed payment by its Stripe decline code and applies the optimal recovery strategy automatically. For transaction_not_allowed, that means a limited retry window combined with customer outreach. Multi-channel follow-up through email, SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app banners ensures the customer actually sees the message.

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