ISO 20022 External Code Sets

ISO 20022 messages take many of their codes from external code sets: lists published separately from the message schemas so they can change every quarter without a new message version. Reject and return reasons such as AC04 or MS03, payment statuses such as ACSC, and purpose codes such as SALA all come from these sets. This reference covers all 163 sets and 3,346 codes of the 2Q2026 (published 28 Aug 2026) publication.

Each code has the official name and definition, the messages and fields that use it and related codes. The payment reason and status codes also say what the code means in practice and what to do next. Have a rejected payment in front of you? Paste the pacs.002 into the parser to decode it.

Payment reason, status and purpose codes

Status Reason codes

ExternalStatusReason1Code

Specifies the status reason, as published in an external status reason code list.

All 315 codes

Return Reason codes

ExternalReturnReason1Code

Specifies the return reason, as published in an external return reason code list.

All 104 codes

Cancellation Reason codes

ExternalCancellationReason1Code

Specifies the cancellation reason, as published in an external cancellation reason code set.

All 33 codes

Payment Transaction Status codes

ExternalPaymentTransactionStatus1Code

Specifies the status of an individual payment instructions, as published in an external payment transaction status code set.

All 25 codes

Category Purpose codes

ExternalCategoryPurpose1Code

Specifies the category purpose, as published in an external category purpose code list.

All 49 codes

Purpose codes

ExternalPurpose1Code

Specifies the external purpose code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.

All 366 codes

All 163 code sets

Filter code sets

Payments and cash management

ExternalAccountIdentification1Code4 codes. Specifies the external account identification scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalAgentInstruction1Code10 codes. Specifies further instructions for the agent concerning the processing of an instruction.
ExternalBalanceSubType1Code22 codes. Specifies the balance sub-type, as published in an external balance sub-type code list.
ExternalBalanceType1Code10 codes. Specifies the balance type, as published in an external balance type code set.
ExternalBankTransactionDomain1Code0 codes. Specifies the bank transaction code domain, as published in an external bank transaction code domain code list.
ExternalBankTransactionFamily1Code0 codes. Specifies the bank transaction code family, as published in an external bank transaction code family code list.
ExternalBankTransactionSubFamily1Code0 codes. Specifies the bank transaction code sub-family, as published in an external bank transaction code sub-family code list.
ExternalBillingBalanceType1Code23 codes. Specifies the balance of the billing service, as published in an external billing balance code set.
ExternalCancellationReason1Code33 codes. Specifies the cancellation reason, as published in an external cancellation reason code set.
ExternalCardTransactionCategory1Code0 codes. Specifies the category of card transaction in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalCashAccountType1Code28 codes. Specifies the nature, or use, of the cash account in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalCashClearingSystem1Code145 codes. Specifies the cash clearing system, as published in an external cash clearing system code list.
ExternalCashType1Code9 codes. Specifies the external cash type code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalCategoryPurpose1Code49 codes. Specifies the category purpose, as published in an external category purpose code list.
ExternalChargeType1Code14 codes. Specifies the nature, or use, of the charges in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalChequeAgentInstruction1Code0 codes. Specifies the external instruction code, as provided to a cheque agent for processing, in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalChequeCancellationReason1Code5 codes. Specifies the external cheque cancellation reason code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalChequeCancellationStatus1Code2 codes. Specifies the external cheque cancellation status code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalClearingSystemIdentification1Code172 codes. Specifies the clearing system identification code, as published in an external clearing system identification code list.
ExternalCollateralReferenceDataStatusReason1Code15 codes. Specifies the status reason, as published in an external collateral reference data status reason code list.
ExternalContractBalanceType1Code2 codes. Specifies a contract balance type code, as published in the external ISO 20022 external code set.
ExternalCreditorAgentInstruction1Code14 codes. Specifies further instructions concerning the processing of a payment instruction, as provided to the creditor agent.
ExternalCreditorEnrolmentAmendmentReason1Code6 codes. Specifies the creditor enrolment amendment reason code, as published in an external creditor enrolment amendment reason code set.
ExternalCreditorEnrolmentCancellationReason1Code6 codes. Specifies the creditor enrolment cancellation reason code, as published in an external creditor enrolment cancellation reason code set.
ExternalCreditorEnrolmentStatusReason1Code7 codes. Specifies the creditor enrolment status reason code, as published in an external creditor enrolment status reason code set.
ExternalCreditorReferenceType1Code7 codes. Specifies the type of creditor reference as published in an external creditor reference type code set.
ExternalDebtorActivationAmendmentReason1Code6 codes. Specifies the debtor activation amendment reason code, as published in an external debtor activation amendment reason code set.
ExternalDebtorActivationCancellationReason1Code6 codes. Specifies the debtor activation cancellation reason code, as published in an external debtor activation cancellation reason code set.
ExternalDebtorActivationStatusReason1Code7 codes. Specifies the debtor activation status reason code, as published in an external debtor activation status reason code set.
ExternalDebtorAgentInstruction1Code7 codes. Specifies further instructions concerning the processing of a payment instruction, as provided to the creditor agent.
ExternalDocumentAmountType1Code27 codes. Specifies the nature, or use, of the amount, as published in an external document amount type code set.
ExternalDocumentFormat1Code5 codes. Specifies the external document format code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalDocumentLineType1Code19 codes. Specifies the document line type as published in an external document type code list.
ExternalDocumentPurpose1Code2 codes. Specifies the document purpose as published in an external document purpose code list.
ExternalDocumentType1Code23 codes. Specifies the document type as published in an external document type code list.
ExternalGarnishmentType1Code3 codes. Specifies the garnishment type as published in an external document type code list.
ExternalInstructedAgentInstruction1Code1 codes. Specifies further instructions concerning the processing of a payment instruction or adjustment, as provided to the instructed agent.
ExternalInvestigationAction1Code4 codes. Specifies the requested action, as published in an external investigation action code set.
ExternalInvestigationActionReason1Code5 codes. Specifies the requested action, as published in an external investigation action code set.
ExternalInvestigationExecutionConfirmation1Code31 codes. Specifies the result of an investigation, as published in an external investigation execution confirmation code set.
ExternalInvestigationInstrument1Code11 codes. Specifies the type of instrument or product to which the investigation refers, as published in an external investigation instrument code set.
ExternalInvestigationReason1Code62 codes. Specifies the investigation reason, as published in an external investigation reason code set.
ExternalInvestigationReasonSubType1Code93 codes. Specifies the investigation reason sub type, as published in an external investigation reason code sub type set.
ExternalInvestigationServiceLevel1Code5 codes. Specifies the investigation service level, as published in an external investigation service level code set.
ExternalInvestigationStatus1Code3 codes. Specifies the investigation status, as published in an external investigation status code set.
ExternalInvestigationStatusReason1Code21 codes. Specifies the reason for the investigation status, as published in an external investigation status reason code set.
ExternalInvestigationSubType1Code11 codes. Specifies the investigation sub type, as published in an external investigation sub type code set.
ExternalInvestigationType1Code12 codes. Specifies the investigation type, as published in an external investigation type code set.
ExternalLocalInstrument1Code114 codes. Specifies the external local instrument code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 35 characters.
ExternalMandateReason1Code48 codes. Specifies the external mandate processing reason code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalMandateSetupReason1Code0 codes. Specifies the external mandate setup reason code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalMandateStatus1Code7 codes. Specifies the external mandate status code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalMandateSuspensionReason1Code6 codes. Specifies the external mandate suspension reason code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalNotificationCancellationReason1Code0 codes. Specifies the cancellation reason, as published in an external cancellation reason code set.
ExternalPaymentCancellationRejection1Code27 codes. Specifies the reason for the rejection of a cancellation, as published in an external payment cancellation rejection code set.
ExternalPaymentCompensationReason1Code1 codes. Specifies the reason for compensation for the processing of a payment, as published in an external code set.
ExternalPaymentControlRequestType1Code5 codes. Specifies the external request type code for a payment control command in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalPaymentGroupStatus1Code13 codes. Specifies the status of a group of payment instructions, as published in an external payment group status code set.
ExternalPaymentMethode1Code0 codes. Specifies the method of payment for the remittance of the invoicer to the invoicee.
ExternalPaymentModificationRejection1Code28 codes. Specifies the reason for the rejection of a modification, as published in an external payment modification rejection code set.
ExternalPaymentRole1Code6 codes. Specifies the role associated with a specific party in a payment instruction, as published in an external payment role code set.
ExternalPaymentScenario1Code0 codes. Specifies the payment scenario, as published in an external payment scenario code set.
ExternalPaymentTransactionStatus1Code25 codes. Specifies the status of an individual payment instructions, as published in an external payment transaction status code set.
ExternalProxyAccountType1Code22 codes. Specifies the external proxy account type code, as published in the proxy account type external code set.
ExternalPurpose1Code366 codes. Specifies the external purpose code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalRegulatoryReportingType1Code5 codes. Specifies the type of regulatory reporting, as published in an external code set.
ExternalReportingSource1Code11 codes. Specifies the reporting source, as published in an external reporting source code list.
ExternalReturnReason1Code104 codes. Specifies the return reason, as published in an external return reason code list.
ExternalSecuritiesPurpose1Code3 codes. Specifies the underlying reason code for an SSI instruction, in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalServiceCategory1Code18 codes. Specifies the service category, as published in an external status reason code list.
ExternalServiceLevel1Code29 codes. Specifies the external service level code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalStatusReason1Code315 codes. Specifies the status reason, as published in an external status reason code list.
ExternalSystemBalanceType1Code70 codes. Specifies the system balance type, as published in an external system balance type code set.
ExternalUndertakingDocumentType1Code5 codes. Specifies the external undertaking document type code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalUndertakingDocumentType2Code3 codes. Specifies the external undertaking document type code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalUndertakingStatusCategory1Code9 codes. Specifies the external status stage code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalVerificationReason1Code16 codes. Specifies the external verification reason code, as published in an external verification code set.

Securities, funds and markets

ExternalAuthorityExchangeReason1Code13 codes. Specifies the reason for the exchange with the national competent authority, as published in an external category purpose code list.
ExternalBenchmarkCurveName1Code43 codes. Specifies the external benchmark curve name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalBillingRateIdentification1Code19 codes. Specifies the type of billing rate or factor, as published in an external billing rate identification code list.
ExternalCorporateActionEventType1Code67 codes. Specifies the corporate action event type, as published in an external corporate action event type code set.
ExternalFinancialInstrumentIdentificationType1Code24 codes. Specifies the external financial instrument identification type scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalFinancialInstrumentProductType1Code0 codes. Specifies the external financial instrument product type scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalMarketArea1Code19 codes. Specifies the external market code, to which the instruction, operation or report relates, in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalMarketInfrastructure1Code98 codes. Specifies the market infrastructure identification, as published in an external market infrastructure code list.
ExternalObligationSettlementMethod1Code2 codes. Specifies the settlement method for the obligation.
ExternalPostTradeBond1Code14 codes. Information related to the post trade of bonds.
ExternalPostTradeDerivative1Code4 codes. Information related to the post trade of derivatives.
ExternalPostTradeEquity1Code13 codes. Information related to the post trade of equities.
ExternalPostTradeEventType1Code7 codes. Specifies the type of post trade event, as published in an external post trade event type code set.
ExternalRatesAndTenors1Code8 codes. Specifies the external rates and tenors code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalSecuritiesLendingType1Code0 codes. Specifies the type of a securities lending contract, as published in an external type of a securities lending type code list.
ExternalSecuritiesStatementType1Code2 codes. Specifies whether the statement is an accounting or a custody statement.
ExternalSecuritiesUpdateReason1Code0 codes. Specifies the securities update reason, as published in an external securities update reason code set.
ExternalTechnicalInputChannel1Code4 codes. Specifies the technical input channel, as published in an external technical input channel code list.
ExternalTradeMarket1Code6 codes. Specifies the external trade market code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalTradeTransactionCondition1Code47 codes. Specifies the external Trade Transaction Condition code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalUnderlyingTradeTransactionType1Code7 codes. Specifies the external commercial reference type code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.

Identification schemes and other sets

ExternalAcceptedReason1Code3 codes. Specifies the reason for an accepted status.
ExternalAgreementType1Code34 codes. Specifies the name of the identification scheme, as published in an external agreement type code set.
ExternalAuthenticationChannel1Code4 codes. Specifies the transaction authentication channel, as published in an external authentication channel code set.
ExternalAuthenticationMethod1Code68 codes. Specifies the authentication method used, as published separately in an external authentication method code set.
ExternalAuthorityIdentification1Code47 codes. Specifies the external authority identification scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalBillingCompensationType1Code22 codes. Specifies the type of billing compensation to be applied, as published in an external billing compensation type code set.
ExternalCalculationAgent1Code4 codes. Specifies the calculation agent, as published in an external calculation agent code list.
ExternalChannel1Code13 codes. Specifies the external submission or presentation channel code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalClaimNonReceiptRejection1Code5 codes. Specifies the reason for the rejection of a claim non receipt, as published in an external claim non receipt rejection code set.
ExternalCommunicationFormat1Code0 codes. Specifies the communication format for statements in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalContractClosureReason1Code9 codes. Specifies a contract closure reason code, as published in the external ISO 20022 external code set.
ExternalCreditLineType1Code0 codes. Specifies the external credit line type code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalCustomerDeviceType1Code19 codes. Specified a type of customer device used for a card payment transaction.
ExternalDateFrequency1Code5 codes. Specifies the external date frequency code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalDateType1Code5 codes. Defines the type of date, as published in an external date type code list.
ExternalDeliveryMethod1Code2 codes. Specifies the external delivery method code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalDeviceOperatingSystemType1Code5 codes. Type of operating system deployed on device, as published separately in an external device operating system type code set.
ExternalDiscountAmountType1Code4 codes. Specifies the nature, or use, of the amount in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalEffectiveDateParameter1Code2 codes. Specifies how the SSI update effective date is to be applied.
ExternalEmissionAllowanceSubProductType1Code5 codes. Specifies the detailed sub products types allowed for emission allowances and associated derivatives.
ExternalEncryptedElementIdentification1Code62 codes. Specifies the element that has been encrypted, as published in an external data to encrypt type code set.
ExternalEnquiryRequestType1Code6 codes. Specifies the external request type code for the enquiry on a position in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalEntitySize1Code0 codes. Specifies the size of an entity according to a list of categories.
ExternalEntityType1Code0 codes. Specifies the type of entity.
ExternalEntryStatus1Code4 codes. Specifies the status of an entry on the books of the account servicer, as published in an external code set.
ExternalFinancialInstitutionIdentification1Code0 codes. Specifies the external financial institution identification scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalIncoterms1Code11 codes. Specifies the incoterms, as published in an external incoterms code list.
ExternalIndustrySectorClassification1Code0 codes. Specifies the industry sector according to a regulatory framework.
ExternalInformationType1Code6 codes. Specifies the information type, as published in an external information type code list.
ExternalLegalFramework1Code0 codes. Specifies the legal act framework.
ExternalLetterType1Code3 codes. Specifies the letter type as published in an external letter type code list.
ExternalMessageFunction1Code14 codes. Code to identify the type of process related to the message, as published separately in a message function external code set.
ExternalModelFormIdentification1Code10 codes. Specifies the external model form identification code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalNarrativeType1Code7 codes. Specifies the external narrative type code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalNotificationSubType1Code6 codes. Specifies the notification sub type, as published in an external notification sub type code set.
ExternalNotificationType1Code13 codes. Specifies the notification type, as published in an external notification type code set.
ExternalOrganisationIdentification1Code15 codes. Specifies the external organisation identification scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalPackagingType1Code4 codes. Specifies the packaging type as published in an external packaging type code list.
ExternalPartyRelationshipType1Code0 codes. Specifies the external the party relationship type code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalPenaltyPartyType1Code0 codes. Specifies the system party type, as published in an external penalty party type code set.
ExternalPendingProcessingReason1Code10 codes. Specifies the reason for pending status.
ExternalPersonIdentification1Code11 codes. Specifies the external person identification scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalProductType1Code7 codes. Specifies the type of asset class a non-equity financial instrument can be classified as.
ExternalReceivedReason1Code1 codes. Specifies the reason for a received status.
ExternalRegulatoryInformationType1Code0 codes. Specifies the type of regulatory information.
ExternalRejectedReason1Code25 codes. Specifies the reason for a rejected status
ExternalRelativeTo1Code3 codes. Specifies the external relative to code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalRePresentmentReason1Code5 codes. Specifies the external representment reason code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalRequestStatus1Code5 codes. Specifies the request status, as published in an external request status code set.
ExternalReservationType1Code6 codes. Specifies the type of reservation, as published in an external reservation type code set.
ExternalReversalReason1Code11 codes. Specifies the reversal reason, as published in an external reversal reason code list.
ExternalShipmentCondition1Code3 codes. Specifies a shipment conditions code, as published in the external ISO 20022 external code set.
ExternalSystemErrorHandling1Code3 codes. Specifies the error code as generated by the system in the response, as published in an external balance type code set.
ExternalSystemEventType1Code22 codes. Specifies the type an event generated within a system, as published in an system event type code list.
ExternalSystemMemberType1Code5 codes. Specifies the nature of the membership of a party in a system, as published in an external system member type code set.
ExternalSystemPartyType1Code10 codes. Specifies the system party type, as published in an external system party type code set.
ExternalTaxAmountType1Code5 codes. Specifies the nature, or use, of the amount in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalTransactorType1Code8 codes. Specifies a code to identify the transactor type.
ExternalTypeOfParty1Code13 codes. Specifies the external type of party code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalUnableToApplyIncorrectData1Code41 codes. Specifies the reason of an unable to apply due to incorrect data, as published in an external unable to apply incorrect data code set.
ExternalUnableToApplyMissingData1Code19 codes. Specifies the reason of an unable to apply due to missing data, as published in an external unable to apply missing data code set.
ExternalUndertakingAmountType1Code2 codes. Specifies the external undertaking amount type code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalUndertakingType1Code14 codes. Specifies the external undertaking type code in the format of a character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalUnitOfMeasure1Code96 codes. Specifies the external unit of measure by means of a code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.
ExternalValidationRuleIdentification1Code4 codes. Specifies the external validation rule identification scheme name code in the format of character string with a maximum length of 4 characters.

The ISO 20022 code set names and definitions on this page are reproduced from material published at iso20022.org under the ISO 20022 Intellectual Property Rights policy. This is not the official source: the up-to-date ISO 20022 standards and repository material are published only at iso20022.org. Explanations in our own words are by ZagTrader. ZagTrader is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISO or Swift.