Demystifying Stripe Chargeback Reason Codes: What Every Merchant Must Know Today

Stripe chargeback reason codes are more than just alphanumeric tags; they’re essential indicators assigned by card networks like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Organized by Stripe into categories such as fraud, product not received, or subscription canceled, these codes reveal the reasons behind a customer’s dispute and, importantly, the evidence you’ll need to mount an effective defense.

Take, for instance, Visa’s reason code 13.2. This code indicates a canceled recurring transaction, where a customer asserts that a charge was made after they had already stopped their subscription. Winning this type of dispute hinges on providing proof of the cancellation timing along with relevant billing records. On a similar note, Mastercard’s 13.4 highlights a product unacceptable claim, which now requires merchants to notify authorities about counterfeit allegations starting in April 2025.

Stripe categorizes these codes into clear buckets:

• Fraudulent charges (e.g., unauthorized card-not-present transactions)
• Product not received claims
• Product unacceptable issues (damaged, counterfeit, or not as described)
• Subscription canceled disputes
• Duplicate charges or credit not processed
• Unrecognized or general disputes

Understanding your chargeback reason code is crucial; it allows you to tailor your response effectively. For instance, fraud claims necessitate proof of cardholder authorization and matching AVS/CVV data. In cases of non-delivery disputes, delivery confirmation is essential. Subscription issues require thorough billing and cancellation logs.

Stripe’s Chargeback Protection, available to Stripe Checkout users, automatically covers eligible disputes. However, it’s important to note that this protection does not extend to custom integrations, subscription renewals beyond the initial charge, and it has yearly coverage caps. Activating this feature before transactions commence is vital for ensuring seamless protection.

To stay ahead of the curve:

• Always align your evidence with the specific requirements of the reason code.
• Keep an eye on dispute patterns to address recurring issues, such as manual entry errors.
• Respond promptly within Stripe’s time limits to avoid automatic losses.
• Recognize that some disputes, like buyer’s remorse, can be challenging to win but may still be contested with strong evidence.

Stripe frequently updates these codes and rules—like the new counterfeit reporting mandates coming in 2025—so it’s wise to stay informed by regularly checking their documentation. Mastering these reason codes can transform chargebacks from costly enigmas into manageable business risks.

Ready to demystify your chargebacks and fight smarter? Try Safe App’s lightning-fast setup to track and respond to disputes with confidence today.