When it comes to credit card processing, there are three levels of data that can be transmitted with a transaction. These levels are designed to provide more details about the transaction, which can lead to lower processing fees and reduced risk of chargebacks. Here's an overview of each level:

Level 1 Credit Card Processing Data

Level 1 is the most basic level of credit card processing. It requires minimal information and is used for consumer transactions. This level is suitable for most retail and online transactions.

Data Required:

• Transaction Amount: The total amount of the transaction.
• Credit Card Number: The card number used for the transaction.
• Expiration Date: The expiration date of the card.
• CVV: The card verification value (3 or 4 digit code).

Level 2 Credit Card Processing Data

Level 2 processing is used for business-to-business (B2B) transactions. It requires additional information beyond Level 1 and is often used for corporate or government cards. Data requirements can vary between card networks, but generally, to qualify for Level 2, you’ll need to provide: 

Common Data Required:

• All Level 1 Data
• Tax Amount
• Tax Exempt Status
• Duty
• Freight
• Purchase Order (PO) Number

1. Sign in to the Merchant Interface.
2. Click Account from the main toolbar.
3. Select Settings in the main left side menu.
4. Click Virtual Terminal in the Transaction Submission Settings section.
5. Select the fields you would like to be editable and/or required.
6. Click Submit.

Level 2 Data is also supported using Authorize.net APIs. You can find details on how to implement these fields in our integration guides available in the Developer Center.

Level 3 Credit Card Processing Data

Level 3 processing is the most detailed and is used for large B2B or government transactions. This level provides the most data and can result in the lowest interchange rates.

However, Authorize.net currently does not support Level 3 Data.

By providing more detailed information, merchants can potentially lower their processing costs and reduce the risk of chargebacks. However, the level of detail required increases with each level, so it's important to balance the benefits with the additional effort needed to collect and transmit the data.