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Guide · 5 min read

Stripe Chargeback Fees 2026 — $15 Per Dispute

Chargebacks are one of the most expensive and frustrating parts of accepting card payments. Here's exactly what Stripe charges, how to prevent disputes, and how to win them when they happen.

⚠️ Chargeback cost = $15 flat + the transaction amount held
When a customer disputes a charge, Stripe immediately holds the disputed amount and charges you $15. If you win, the $15 is refunded. If you lose, you lose both the $15 and the transaction amount.

Chargeback Fees by Processor

ProcessorChargeback FeeRefunded if Won?
Stripe$15✓ Yes
PayPal$20No
Square$0✓ Absorbed
Shopify Payments$15✓ Yes

6 Ways to Prevent Chargebacks

  1. Use Stripe Radar (free) — ML-powered fraud detection blocks high-risk cards before payment
  2. Enable 3D Secure — shifts liability to the card issuer for authenticated transactions
  3. Clear billing descriptor — your business name on the card statement must be recognisable
  4. Prompt customer service — customers chargeback when they can't reach you; fast responses prevent disputes
  5. Clear refund policy — display it prominently; customers prefer refunds over chargebacks
  6. Delivery confirmation — always get proof of delivery for physical goods
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

$15 per dispute. If you win the dispute, Stripe refunds the $15. If you lose, you forfeit both the $15 fee and the original transaction amount.
Stripe charges $15 and refunds it if you win. PayPal charges $20 and does not refund it regardless of outcome. Stripe is the better option for chargeback costs.
Submit clear evidence within Stripe's deadline: order confirmation, delivery proof, customer communications, terms of service acceptance, and IP address logs. Stripe provides a template in the dashboard.
Stripe Radar is a free fraud prevention tool built into Stripe. It uses machine learning to score every transaction and block high-risk cards before payment — reducing chargebacks proactively.
Keep your chargeback rate below 0.5% of transactions. Above 1%, Stripe may suspend your account. Visa and Mastercard also impose penalties on merchants with high dispute rates.
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