Merchant Import

Use the Merchant Import file to update specific merchant information. You cannot use this file to add or delete merchants. Merchants are loaded into the system as transactions tied to a merchant. You can run an export first to obtain valid Merchant IDs.

File opens in a new window Merchant Import Template

The Merchant Import File Layout table outlines the requirements for entering your data into a Merchant Import template. To ensure a successful import, review the considerations outlined below before beginning the import. In addition, be sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines found in General Import File Tips.

Merchant Import File Layout

Column

Name

Description

Required

Valid Codes

A

Association

Credit card type

Yes

Valid values are:

  • Visa

  • MasterCard

B

Merchant ID

Unique ID for the merchant

Yes

Must be:

  • Numeric

C

Parent Merchant

Name of the parent merchant into which the merchant rolls up

No

Must be:

  • Alphanumeric

D

Automatically Update This Merchant

Specifies whether or not PaymentNet will update merchant information automatically when changes are provided by the card association.

 

Valid values are:

  • 0: No

  • 1: Yes

This flag must be either unchecked in PaymentNet or set to “0” in the import file in order to load values in the remaining import columns. If not, the import row (not the whole file) fails.

E

Taxpayer ID

Unique Merchant Tax ID

Yes

Must be:

  • Alphanumeric

  • 20 characters max

F

1099 Indicator

 

 

Valid values are:

  • 0: No or Off

  • 1: Yes or On

G

Sales Tax Exempt

 

 

Valid values are:

  • 0: No or Off

  • 1: Yes or On

H

Preferred Indicator

Indicates whether or not the merchant is preferred

 

Valid values are:

  • 0: No or Off

  • 1: Yes or On

I

Address 1

 

 

Must be:

  • Alphanumeric

  • 25 characters max

J

Address 2

 

 

Must be:

  • Alphanumeric

  • 25 characters max

K

Phone Number

 

 

Must be:

  • Numeric

  • 10 digits max without other symbols

  • No dash “-” allowed

L

Fax Number

 

 

Must be:

  • Numeric

  • 10 digits max without other symbols

  • No dash “-” allowed

M

Contact

 

 

Must be:

  • Alphanumeric

  • 25 characters max

N

Custom Field 1| Custom Field 2| Custom Field 3

Custom fields associated with the merchant

Custom fields need to be updated to reflect the Merchant custom fields set up in PaymentNet.

The header row needs to be updated with the names of the Merchant custom fields.

No

If Merchant custom fields are not defined, the Custom Field column header should be left blank.

If Merchant custom fields are defined in the header, but a specific value in a row of the import does not contain a value, the value of null should be indicated by a hyphen (-).

Must be:

  • Pipe delimited

  • Unlimited

O

Add/Update/Delete Flag

Indicates that the record is for updating merchant data.

Yes

Valid value:

  • Update: For new rows containing new data. This is the only value allowed for merchants.

P

Blank Override

Specifies whether or not to replace existing values with null values when import file columns are blank.

Blank Override is only be used when Add/Update/Delete Flag is set to Update.

Best Practice: Set Blank Override to 0.

 

Valid values are:

  • 0: Retain the existing value if the column is left blank. When adding multiple account numbers, set this field to 0.

  • 1: Replace the existing value with a null value if the column is left blank.