US Payments Forum Publishes Best Practices for EMV Chip Fallback Transactions at the Fuel Pump

The U.S. Payments Forum is continuing to provide the United States with essential guidance on the migration to EMV chip with a new white paper on options for supporting fallback transactions in the petroleum environment. The resource released today defines fallback and covers processing magnetic stripe transactions for card programs that are not supported on the contact EMV interface of automatic fuel dispenser (AFD) terminals.

Merchants, independent software vendors, value-added resellers, acquirers and processors can access “U.S. Automated Fuel Dispenser Chip Fallback Transaction Processing Best Practices” at https://www.uspaymentsforum.org/u-s-automated-fuel-dispenser-chip-fallback-transaction-processing-best-practices/.

“Fallback transactions are considered a natural part of EMV migration as things get up and running,” said Randy Vanderhoof, director of the U.S. Payments Forum. “It’s critical that petroleum terminals can support these types of transactions, and that fuel pump owners understand what does and doesn’t qualify as a fallback. The petroleum environment has a lot of unique considerations, and the Forum has been instrumental in supporting this market – among others – with resources to support implementations of EMV which help provide clarity and guidance during this transition.”

This white paper covers:

* Definitions of fallback transactions including technical fallback, empty candidate list fallback, fallback-not-allowed scenarios and identification of fallback transactions

* Unique considerations for AFD fallback

* Payment network policies for AFD technical fallback

* Options for processing empty candidate list scenarios when the terminal is only enabled for certain EMV payment products but not yet for all magnetic-stripe-supported payment products, such as fleet payment products

This resource was developed by the U.S. Payments Forum Petroleum Working Committee. This group works collaboratively to identify, review and resolve challenges associated with implementation of EMV within the U.S. petroleum and convenience market. The Petroleum Working Committee includes payment networks, petroleum and convenience merchants, petroleum-specific acquirers, petroleum and convenience point of sale vendors and fuel dispenser manufacturers, and other organizations servicing the petroleum and convenience category.

Featured

  • 2025 Gun Violence Statistics Show Signs of Progress

    Omnilert, a national leader in AI-powered safety and emergency communications, has released its 2025 Gun Violence Statistics, along with a new interactive infographic examining national and school-related gun violence trends. In 2025, the U.S. recorded 38,762 gun-violence deaths, highlighting the continued importance of prevention, early detection, and coordinated response. Read Now

  • Big Brand Tire & Service Rolls Out Interface Virtual Perimeter Guard

    Interface Systems, a managed service provider delivering remote video monitoring, commercial security systems, business intelligence, and network services for multi-location enterprises, today announced that Big Brand Tire & Service, one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent tire and automotive service providers, has eliminated costly overnight break-ins and significantly reduced trespassing and vandalism at a high-risk location. The company achieved these results by deploying Interface Virtual Perimeter Guard, an AI-powered perimeter security solution designed to deter incidents before they occur. Read Now

  • The Evolution of ID Card Printing: Customer Challenges and Solutions

    The landscape of ID card printing is evolving to meet changing customer needs, transitioning from slow, manual processes to smart, on-demand printing solutions that address increasingly complex enrollment workflows. Read Now

  • TSA Awards Rohde & Schwarz Contract for Advanced Airport Screening Ahead of Soccer World Cup 2026

    Rohde & Schwarz, a provider of AI-based millimeter wave screening technology, announced today it has won a multi-million dollar award from TSA to supply its QPS201 AIT security scanners to passenger security screening checkpoints at selected Soccer World Cup 2026 host city airports. Read Now

  • Brivo, Eagle Eye Networks Merge

    Dean Drako, Chairman of Brivo, the leading global provider of cloud-native access control and smart space technologies, and Founder of Eagle Eye Networks, the global leader in cloud AI video surveillance, today announced the two companies will merge, creating the world’s largest AI cloud-native physical security company. The merged company will operate under the Brivo name and deliver a truly unified cloud-native security platform. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities