Features Introduced This Week {#rn-features}
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**REST API** \| RM-45368
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Description
:
The Merchant Country of Origin feature adds a field to transaction messages that identifies the country where a merchant is legally registered, independent of where the transaction occurs. It is primarily required for government-controlled merchants when their country of origin differs from the acquiring or processing country, ensuring accurate representation in authorization and clearing.

Mandate
:
Mastercard mandate AN 8026.

Audience
:
Merchants who use these merchant category codes:  
* 9211 (Court costs including alimony and child support)

    {#rn-features_ul_s51_lrc_qjc}



    * 9222 (Fines)
    * 9311 (Tax payments)
    * 9399 (Government services - not elsewhere classified)
    * 9402 (Postal services - government only)
    * 9405 (Intra-government purchases-government only)
    * 9406 (Government-owned lottery; global, excluding U.S. region)
    {#rn-features_ul_ibp_jrc_qjc}

Benefits
:
* Improves compliance with card network mandates
* Supports issuer decisioning, monitoring, and regulatory controls
* Helps prevent fines
{#rn-features_ul_m4h_mrc_qjc}

Technical Details
:
Merchants should provide their valid country code in the merchantInformation.merchantDescriptor.countryOfOrigin field.

Important Dates
:
Released to production June 18, 2026.