Mint Protect Excluded Supplier List

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Last updated: 10 January 2024

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The Mint Protect Blacklist ensures transparency and mitigates risks for merchants by identifying suppliers and regions that pose financial or operational risks. This list is critical for protecting your business and maintaining the integrity of Mint Protect coverage.

To view the full terms and conditions for Mint Protect, click here.

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1. Suppliers Located in Countries on the Banned List

Suppliers operating in countries with elevated risks or international sanctions are excluded from Mint Protect coverage. This includes countries appearing on:

Suppliers operating in countries with elevated risks or international sanctions are excluded from Mint Protect coverage. This includes countries appearing on:

• Australia’s “Do Not Travel” List: Published by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on SmartTraveller.gov.au.
• United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Sanctions List: Covers countries or regions subject to UNSC sanctions.
• Australia’s Sanctions List: Published by DFAT, identifying countries, entities, or individuals under Australian sanctions.
• New Zealand’s Sanctions List: Maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, covering New Zealand-specific sanctions.

Date-Based Exclusion

Chargebacks related to transactions involving suppliers in countries listed on the banned lists will not be covered for transactions occurring from the date the country is added to these lists onward.

• Transactions processed prior to the date of addition will remain covered.

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2. Suppliers in Voluntary Administration

Engaging with suppliers undergoing voluntary administration poses significant risks, as these businesses may be unable to fulfill their obligations.

What is Voluntary Administration?

Voluntary administration is a process where an insolvent company appoints an external administrator to assess its business affairs and determine the best course of action for creditors and shareholders.

Date-Based Exclusion

Chargebacks related to transactions with suppliers that are in voluntary administration will not be covered for transactions occurring from the date the supplier enters voluntary administration onward.

• Transactions processed prior to this date will remain covered.

Recent Examples in the Travel Industry

Below are examples of companies in the travel sector that have entered voluntary administration. This is not an exhaustive list but highlights notable cases to help merchants remain informed of potential risks.

• Air Vanuatu
  Entered voluntary liquidation on May 10, 2024, due to financial challenges exacerbated by the global aviation downturn. Limited operations resumed in October 2024 following a court-approved restructuring plan.
  
• Rex Airlines
  Entered voluntary administration on July 31, 2024, resulting in job cuts and suspension of domestic services between major cities. Regional flights continued during restructuring efforts.
  
• Bonza
  Entered voluntary administration on April 15, 2024, after terminated aircraft leases left the airline unable to continue operations. Restructuring efforts were unsuccessful.
  
• Calypso Destinations
  Collapsed in March 2024, leaving debts exceeding $3 million. Financial struggles were attributed to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic's travel restrictions.
• Tucan Travel
  Ceased operations on February 11, 2021, after 33 years of business, citing the pandemic’s devastating effect on tourism.
• STA Travel
  Entered voluntary administration on August 21, 2020, after the pandemic severely impacted global travel demand. Numerous customers with forward bookings were left in limbo.

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3. Specific Merchants on the Mint Blacklist

In addition to suppliers covered under Points 1 and 2, Mint maintains a list of specific merchants who are blacklisted for reasons unrelated to country restrictions or voluntary administration. These reasons could include:

• Fraudulent activity or unethical business practices.
• Repeated failures to meet service or quality standards.
• Patterns of unresolved disputes or complaints.

Date-Based Exclusion

Chargebacks related to transactions involving suppliers on the Mint Protect excluded supplier list will not be covered for transactions occurring from the date the supplier is added to the excluded supplier list onward.

• Transactions processed prior to the supplier’s addition to the list will remain covered.

Current List

Currently, there are no merchants included in this category of the Mint Protect Blacklist.

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How Mint Protect Supports Merchants

Mint Protect ensures that you have the tools and resources to manage supplier risk effectively. By staying informed and proactive, you can maintain uninterrupted operations and protect your business against chargeback-related losses.