Stripe decline code
merchant_blacklist
The issuer blocked the charge because your business matched something on the cardholder's or bank's block list.
Why it happens
- The customer previously blocked charges from your business.
- A bank-level block on this merchant category or name.
- Fallout from an earlier dispute.
Should you retry it?
No — the customer must update their card
A block-list entry won't clear on retry; only the customer or their bank can lift it. Retrying just adds failed attempts.
How to recover it
Don't retry. Ask the customer to allow the charge with their bank, or to pay with a different card.
Recoverly does not retry this code — repeated attempts won't clear it and risk further declines. The customer must resolve it with their bank or use a different card.
See how much failed-payment revenue you can recover
Connect Stripe (we only read) and Recoverly shows your recoverable revenue in 30 seconds.
Related decline codes
Recoverly retries up to 4 times within 30 days. This page is informational and not affiliated with Stripe.