Chargeback Fees & Penalties
Understand the turnaround time for each chargeback phase, the fees and penalties charged by card networks, and how Deduct at Onset (DAO) works.
Understand the turnaround time for each chargeback phase, the fees and penalties levied by card networks at each stage, and how Razorpay handles the disputed amount while a case is being resolved.
Each chargeback phase has a fixed window within which you must respond with your evidence. Missing this window results in an automatic loss of the chargeback, regardless of the merits of your case.
Handy Tips
Pre-arbitration and arbitration are long-drawn, complex, and costly stages. Responding with complete evidence at the first chargeback stage is the most effective way to avoid escalation.
If a chargeback escalates beyond the first stage, the card network levies additional fees, which are passed on to you. These fees apply regardless of the final outcome of the case.
Note: Visa's arbitration penalty fee was revised from USD 500 to USD 600, effective October 1, 2024.
If the arbitration is ruled in the cardholder's favour, the arbitration fee — in addition to the disputed transaction amount — is borne by you.
When a dispute is raised, Razorpay deducts the disputed amount, along with any applicable fees, from your account balance at the outset — before the case is resolved. This is standard practice across payment gateways and ensures sufficient funds are available to cover the liability if the dispute is decided against you, in line with network and regulatory requirements.
If the dispute is resolved in your favour, the withheld amount is credited back to your account.
Once you submit your evidence, Razorpay forwards it to the acquiring bank, which passes it on to the issuing bank and card network for review. If the case is decided in your favour, the amount debited earlier is credited back to your account. Since this involves multiple stakeholders, the reversal can take up to 30 days from the date your evidence was submitted.
If you accept a dispute — or lose it after contesting — Razorpay notifies the issuing bank of the outcome via the acquiring bank. The issuing bank and card network then determine the refund amount and timeline for the customer. Razorpay does not have visibility or control over the exact timing of the refund reaching the customer's payment instrument; customers should be directed to their bank for refund status.
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