What is a zip code and why do checkout sites need it?
A ZIP code (Zone Improvement Plan) is the US postal code format — always five digits (e.g., 10001 for New York). US-based websites use it as part of AVS (Address Verification System) checks to confirm that the card details entered match the address registered with the issuing bank.
If your card is issued by a non-US bank, it doesn't have a zip code in the American sense — and that creates a problem at checkout.
Why is a zip code rejected for non-US cards?
- Bank doesn't support AVS. Most banks outside the US don't transmit postal code data during authorization. The system returns "unavailable," and a strict merchant treats this as an error.
- Format mismatch. The site expects exactly five digits. If your postal code has a different format (six digits, alphanumeric, or more), validation will fail.
- Required field. Some sites won't let you proceed without a zip code — even for international cards.
What to enter in the zip code field for a non-US card
Try these options in order:
- Zip from your bank. Contact your bank and ask whether a postal code is stored for your card. Some banks do keep this data.
- 00000. The most widely accepted placeholder for cards from countries without AVS support. Many Stripe merchants accept it.
- 99999. If 00000 doesn't work, try 99999 as an alternative placeholder.
- Any valid 5-digit number. Some merchants don't enforce strict AVS validation and accept any correctly formatted zip.
- Leave the field blank. If the field is optional, try skipping it.
- First 5 digits of your postal code. If your postal code contains digits (e.g., 115162), try entering the first five: 11516.
FAQ
Can I enter a non-US postal code in the zip field? Technically yes, if the site accepts any format. But if the site strictly validates a 5-digit US format, you'll need to provide exactly that.
What if nothing works? Contact the merchant's support team. Explain that your card is international and doesn't have a US zip code. Many large services know how to handle this situation manually.
Do Marix cards have a zip code? Yes. Every Marix virtual card comes with a complete billing address — including a 5-digit zip code — available in your account dashboard. Just copy it and paste it at checkout.
Pay for international services without zip code headaches — Marix virtual cards include a ready-to-use billing address and compatible zip code so you can check out without friction.