AVS Response Codes

AVS Response Codes

Address Verification Service (AVS) is an additional fraud prevention check that compares the billing address provided by the cardholder with the billing address on file with the issuing bank. Each authorization returns an AVS response code indicating whether the address and postal code matched.

By default, AVS is enabled on all Coinflow merchant accounts. When enabled, Coinflow will automatically evaluate the AVS response as part of authorization. Transactions with a full or partial address match are allowed to proceed, while transactions that fail AVS validation may be declined based on Coinflow’s fraud rules.

If you would like to implement your own AVS decisioning logic, Coinflow can disable AVS enforcement on your merchant account. When AVS enforcement is disabled, Coinflow will return the issuer’s AVS response code without making an approval decision based on it. You can retrieve the AVS response from the avsResponseCode field in the enhanced transaction response returned by the Get Enhanced Transaction Information endpoint and determine how your application should handle each response.

The table below describes each possible AVS response code and its meaning.

AVS CodeMeaningInterpretation
AAddress matches, ZIP/postal code does notPartial match
BAddress matches, ZIP not verifiedPartial match (international/issuer-specific)
CAddress and ZIP not verifiedVerification unavailable/international
DAddress and ZIP matchFull match (international)
EAVS errorProcessing/system error
GNon-U.S. issuing bank does not support AVSAVS unavailable
IAddress not verifiedInternational/issuer-specific response
MAddress and ZIP matchFull match (international)
NNeither address nor ZIP matchNo match
OAddress matches, ZIP not verifiedPartial match (issuer-specific)
PZIP matches, address not verifiedPartial match
RSystem unavailable; retryRetry recommended
SAVS not supported by issuerAVS unavailable
UAddress information unavailableAVS unavailable
WZIP matches, address does notPartial match
XExact match (address and 9-digit ZIP)Full match
YAddress and 5-digit ZIP matchFull match
ZZIP matches, address does notPartial match

Practical Grouping

CategoryCodes
Full MatchD, M, X, Y
Partial MatchA, B, O, P, W, Z
No MatchN
Retry / System ErrorE, R
Not Supported / UnavailableC, G, I, S, U

Notes

  • Y is the most common “good” AVS response in the U.S. (street address + 5-digit ZIP match).
  • X indicates an even stronger match using the full 9-digit ZIP+4.
  • D and M are primarily used for international transactions.
  • R generally indicates a temporary issuer or network issue and may succeed if retried.
  • G, S, and U usually do not indicate fraud—they indicate AVS could not be performed.
  • Many fraud engines treat A, Z, W, and P as acceptable depending on merchant risk tolerance, since partial matches are common due to customer entry mistakes or issuer data differences.