Also called: Enhanced data, Level 2 data, Level 3 data, Line-item data
What Level 2 / Level 3 data is
Card transactions carry different amounts of information. Level 1 is the basic sale record, including the transaction date and total. Level 2 adds purchase details such as an invoice number, customer reference, and sales tax. Level 3 adds the individual items, quantities, and unit prices.
These details matter most when you accept business, corporate, purchasing, or fleet cards. The card networks set the data requirements for interchange qualification. A gateway can transmit the information, but transmitting fields alone does not guarantee a lower rate.
More transaction detail only saves money when the right fields reach the network and the sale qualifies.
How the data can affect your costs
Eligible commercial-card sales can qualify for lower interchange when you submit the required data correctly. That reduces the interchange portion of the card cost, which goes to the cardholder’s bank. It does not reduce network assessments or your processor’s markup, so compare the actual interchange and markup separately.
The rules differ by network. As of April 18, 2026, Visa’s US Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP) replaced Visa’s commercial Level 2, Level 3, and Large Ticket programs. Mastercard continues to support Level 2 and Level 3 data as of 2026. Some business types and card transactions are excluded, including restaurant transactions under the cited US program rules.
What each data level adds
| Level 1 | Transaction date and total |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | Invoice reference and tax |
| Level 3 | Item names, quantities, and prices |
Field requirements depend on the network, card type, and program.
What you need to send
Level 2 data describes the order as a whole. Depending on the network and program, required fields include an order or invoice reference and the tax amount. Level 3 adds a record for each item, such as its name, quantity, unit price, and tax or discount details. If you send line items, each item needs at least a name, quantity, and unit price.
For example, an illustrative $1,000 business order could include its invoice reference and tax total at Level 2, then add the purchased products, quantities, and unit prices at Level 3. The order total, tax, shipping, discounts, and item totals must agree. A mismatch can make the data ineligible or lead to additional fees under network rules.
Where to check your reports
A standard merchant statement may not show whether each sale carried complete Level 2 or Level 3 fields. Check transaction-level fee detail or interchange reports instead. Report suffixes include “Data II” and “Data III” for Mastercard, and “Level 2” or “Level 3” for Visa in reports that use those labels.
Compare eligible commercial-card transactions with their fee categories, then check whether the expected data appears in the transaction or capture record. Partial captures need attention: as of 2026, the capture request must include the data when required, or it is not sent to the network.
What you can actually change
- Identify eligible sales. Review your commercial-card mix and confirm which card types and business transactions qualify under the network rules that apply to your sales.
- Automate the fields. Connect your checkout or ERP system to pass invoice, tax, and item details with each eligible payment and capture. Reconcile item totals to the order amount.
- Verify the result. Compare transaction-level data with fee-detail or interchange reports. Look for the applicable data-level labels and confirm qualifying sales receive the expected interchange treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Does Level 3 data guarantee lower processing fees?
No. The transaction must qualify under the applicable card-network rules, and the required fields must reach the network accurately. Lower interchange does not reduce network assessments or your processor’s markup.
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 data?
Level 2 adds order-level details such as an invoice reference and tax amount. Level 3 adds item-level details, including names, quantities, and unit prices. Required fields differ by network and program.
Does Level 3 data apply to every business card?
No. Eligibility depends on the network, card type, transaction, and merchant category. As of 2026, Visa uses CEDP for eligible US commercial transactions, while Mastercard continues to support Level 2 and Level 3 programs.
Where can I see whether my transactions used enhanced data?
Look in transaction-level fee detail or interchange reports, not just the statement summary. Labels can include “Data II” or “Data III” for Mastercard and “Level 2” or “Level 3” for Visa reports that use those terms.