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Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores
Confirmed via network classification
Quick Answer
Staples is classified under MCC 5943 (Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores). The best card for Staples purchases is the Ink Business Cash (no annual fee), earning 5x on stationery stores, office and school supply stores — an effective return of 10.25%.
If you spend a lot on office supplies, the Staples MCC is crucial for maximizing rewards. Business cards like the Ink Business Cash cover this category well.
Pro Tip
Use Staples' business account to track your spending and maximize rewards by combining it with a credit card that offers high cashback in the stationery stores category.
When you pay at Staples at their locations, your card issuer sees MCC 5943 in the transaction data. This code tells your bank that the purchase was made at a stationery stores, office and school supply stores merchant. Bonus reward rates on your card apply based on this MCC — not the merchant name itself.
If your card earns bonus points on "stationery stores, office and school supply stores" purchases, Staples transactions will qualify — even if your card terms only mention a category name and not Staples specifically. The key is that the MCC matches your card's bonus category definition.
You can verify the MCC on any Staples transaction by checking your card's mobile app or statement. Some issuers display the merchant category alongside the transaction details. For the most accurate information, contact your card issuer's customer service and ask whether MCC 5943 qualifies for bonus rewards.
About MCC 5943: Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores
Merchant Category Code 5943 is assigned by card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover) to classify businesses in the Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores industry. Issuers use MCCs to determine which transactions qualify for bonus reward rates. When a merchant is assigned MCC 5943, all qualifying card programs that include stationery stores, office and school supply stores as a bonus category will apply the elevated earn rate.
The Office Supply industry group encompasses several related MCCs. Not all merchants in a similar business will share the same MCC — for example, a grocery store inside a warehouse club may code as wholesale ({"5300"}) rather than grocery ({"5411"}). Always verify with your issuer if you're unsure whether a specific merchant qualifies for bonus rewards on your card.
Other Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores Merchants (MCC 5943)
Spending $200/month at Staples with the Ink Business Cash (5x on stationery stores, office and school supply stores) earns approximately $120/year in rewards. A basic 1% card earns $24 on the same spending. That is $96 more per year with no annual fee.
Prefer no annual fee? The Cash Rewards Visa Signature Business earns 3x at Staples merchants, earning $72/year with no annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What MCC code does Staples use?
Staples uses MCC 5943 (Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores). This code is assigned by card networks and determines which bonus reward categories apply when you pay at Staples.
Which credit card earns the most rewards at Staples?
The Ink Business Cash earns 5x on stationery stores, office and school supply stores purchases (MCC 5943), making it the highest-earning option at Staples among the cards we track.
Does my card earn bonus rewards at Staples?
It depends on your card's bonus categories. If your card earns bonus rewards on stationery stores, office and school supply stores purchases, Staples transactions (MCC 5943) will typically qualify. Check your card's terms or app, or call your issuer to confirm.
Is Staples classified as stationery stores, office and school supply stores for credit card purposes?
Yes. Staples is classified under MCC 5943, which falls in the Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores category. This means cards with stationery stores, office and school supply stores bonus categories will apply the elevated earn rate at Staples.
What is MCC 5943 and what merchants use it?
MCC 5943 stands for Stationery Stores, Office and School Supply Stores. It is assigned to businesses that primarily operate in office supply stores. Besides Staples, other merchants in the same MCC include similar businesses in the office_supply industry group.
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Full disclosure
MCC data based on card network classification standards.
Rankings verified monthly from official card issuer terms.
Last verified: March 16, 2026.
Full methodology: www.pointspick.com/methodology.
