restricted_card
Card has restrictions that block this charge.
What just happened
Could be regional restrictions, MCC restrictions, or category blocks set by the issuer.
Retry strategy
Don't retry — restrictions persist. Need a different card.
What to tell the customer
Your card has restrictions that block this charge. Please use a different card.
Recommended action
Halt retries, send update-card email.
Want to see what this looks like on your Stripe?
See how often "restricted_card" hits your Stripe account in the last 30 days — and how much MRR is at risk because of it.
Related codes
Frequently asked questions
Is "restricted_card" a soft or hard decline?+
It's classified as a hard decline: Permanent issue with the card. Retries will keep failing — you need a new payment method from the customer.
Should I retry a "restricted_card" decline?+
Don't retry — restrictions persist. Need a different card.
What should I tell my customer when this happens?+
Your card has restrictions that block this charge. Please use a different card.
How do I prevent this decline going forward?+
Halt retries, send update-card email.
Does Rechurn handle this decline code automatically?+
Yes. Rechurn classifies "restricted_card" and runs the optimal retry cadence with a personalized email sequence. Run a free audit to see how many of your failed charges are this code.