3DS ReferenceProtocol & field guide

EMV 3-D Secure · Core specification 2.3.1.1

Merchant Risk IndicatormerchantRiskIndicator

Merchant Risk Indicator in Authentication Request (AReq).

Source edition: Core 2.3.1.1 · Type: Object · Length: Variable

Baseline in AReq Optional

Optional across all channels and categories. Usage and conditions ↓

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Usage in AReq

Merchant’s assessment of the level of fraud risk for the specific authentication for both the Cardholder and the authentication being conducted.

Conditional inclusion — source text

Optional, but strongly recommended to include.

Format and scope

Type: Object · Length: Variable

Source components: 3DS Server. Channels: 01-APP, 02-BRW, 03-3RI. Categories: 01-PA, 02-NPA.

Object members

Nested presence rules apply when the parent is supplied. Consult the source for full conditions.

shipIndicator — Shipping Indicator

ValueMeaningIntroduction tag
01Ship to the Cardholder’s billing addressNot tagged
02Ship to another verified address on file with the MerchantNot tagged
03Ship to an address that is different than the Cardholder’s billing addressNot tagged
04“Ship to Store” / Pick-up at a local store (Store address shall be populated in shipping address fields)Not tagged
05Digital goods (includes online services, electronic gift cards and redemption codes)Not tagged
06Travel and event tickets, not shippedNot tagged
07Other (for example, gaming, digital services not shipped, emedia subscriptions, etc.)Not tagged
08Pick-up and go deliveryNot tagged
09Locker delivery (or other automated pick-up)Not tagged

Introduction tags are shown where recorded. An absent tag does not establish when a value was introduced.

transChar — Transaction Characteristics

threeDSReqAuthData — 3DS Requestor

threeDSReqAuthMethod — 3DS Requestor

EMV_3DS_CoreSpec_v2.3.1.1_20230530.pdf, Table A.1, PDF pages 257

Scoped FAQ qualifications

  • FAQ 27 — Applicable object-bearing protocol versions

    Only when the parent JSON object is present

    Evaluate nested presence conditions when the parent object is present. In multiTransaction, merchantList is required when the object is supplied; merchantAmount remains optional.

    EMVCo_3DS_Specification_FAQs_8-April-2026.pdf, page 9

  • FAQ 73 — Applicable object-bearing protocol versions

    An optional or conditionally optional field is sent empty

    An empty optional field produces error 203 under Req 309. When the empty JSON object contains mandatory data, error 201 may be returned.

    EMVCo_3DS_Specification_FAQs_8-April-2026.pdf, page 23

Transaction context

This reference covers the published source edition. Use the explorer to inspect this field and any applicable transaction conditions. Scheme programme requirements are not inferred from the protocol edition.

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Sources and related references

EMV_3DS_CoreSpec_v2.3.1.1_20230530.pdf, Table A.1, PDF pages 257

Source review status: carried-forward. Carried-forward material has not acquired a new verification claim.

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