1. Introduction

Transaction error codes (also known as NCERROR and NCSTATUS) are rejection reasons our systems receive from acquirers, issuers and our fraud tools. They provide simple explanations for transaction failures and in the Back Office. In this guide, we walk through the most common decline statuses and provide our recommendations. Note that these details below are information interpreted by our platform based on feedback from acquirers and issuers. To learn more about our main transaction statuses, check our Transaction Statuses guide. 

List of statuses

2. How to access error codes?

To access these error codes, go to Operations > View Transactions in the Back Office. Look up the PayID of the impacted transaction. In the details of your transaction, you will see NC ST/ER (which refers to NCSTATUS and NCERROR). Click on ? to have an overview of all possible status and error codes.  

Screenshot of NCERROR in the Back Office

For all transactions (except eTerminal), you can also access this information in your server-to-server feedback. 

3. Payment retry guidelines

We are glad to help you manage payment retries while staying compliant with card schemes. When a transaction fails, you can resubmit the payment request via a Merchant-initiated transaction (MIT) within the Card On File framework (COF).

As this means reusing the same PAN (i.e. card numbers) and amount per individual order, Mastercard and Visa limit retries to prevent excessive attempts. Fees may apply to acquirers if thresholds are exceeded but retries can still succeed.

Our platform gives you full control over retry decisions. We strongly recommend implementing a policy that fits your business while remaining compliant with card scheme rules. Use the error code categories in the subsequent chapter as guideline.

Error Code Categories

Our platform distinguishes between two types of error codes:

1) Non-Retriable Errors

These indicated permanent issues with the transaction. We strongly recommend not resubmitting the payment request. These come with the following errors:

Error code Description
30041001 Pick up card (no fraud)
30071001 Pick up card, special condition (fraud account)
30121001 Invalid transaction
30141001 Invalid card number
30151001 No such issuer (first 8 digits of account number do not relate to an issuing identifier)
30411001 Lost card, pick up
30431001 Stolen card, pick up
30571001 Transaction not permitted on card
33000972 Stop payment order
33000973 Revocation of authorization order
33000975 Revocation of all authorizations order
33000833 Ineligible for resubmission

2) Retriable Errors

For all error codes not listed above, a resubmission may be successful after another attempt.

You can retry, but limit to a maximum of 10 attempts within 30 days to stay compliant with card scheme guidelines and avoid potential fees.