The time limit on chargebacks isn’t as simple as 120 days. That’s just the baseline. Each card network has its own rules, but issuing banks often stretch them, misinterpret them, or ignore them completely. Merchants end up getting hit with disputes months after a sale, sometimes even after the rules say it's too late.
In this blog, let’s break down the actual chargeback time limit, how the rules differ by card, and what you can do if you get slapped with a dispute after the deadline.
The Time Limit on Chargebacks Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
Let’s get this straight: there is no universal cutoff. The time limit on chargebacks depends on:
- The card brand
- The type of dispute
- The transaction context
- How the bank interprets the rules
Here’s a breakdown of what the official timelines look like:
That’s the official side. But real disputes often come down to when the clock starts, and that’s where issuers create gray areas.
How Banks Stretch the Time Limit
Issuers are allowed to use the “date of discovery” instead of the transaction date in some cases. This means if a cardholder claims they didn’t know about a problem until months later, the bank might say the clock starts from that moment, not the date of purchase.
Examples where this happens:
- A buyer claims an item never arrived. The bank accepts the “expected delivery date” as the starting point.
- A cardholder disputes a subscription six months after the first charge, saying they didn’t notice it.
- A digital purchase is flagged as fraud long after the transaction, based on the customer’s word.
In each case, the issuer adjusts the time limit on chargebacks to fit the narrative. Some banks even backdate records or omit key delivery details to justify the filing.
How to Spot a Late Chargeback
You won’t get a notification saying “this dispute was filed too late.” It’s up to you to catch it.
Here’s what to check:
- Transaction Date: When the customer paid.
- Delivery or Fulfillment Date: When the product was shipped or service provided.
- Chargeback Filing Date: Found in your processor’s portal.
- Customer Contact Logs: Evidence of prior complaints or communication.
If more than 120 days have passed without a valid reason, you may be looking at an expired claim. For Mastercard, check if the reason code justifies a 540-day window, because most don’t.
Fighting a Chargeback Filed After the Time Limit
If you suspect the chargeback deadline was missed, you can respond on procedural grounds.
Steps to take:
- Ask your processor for the issuer’s justification for the filing date.
- Provide proof of timely delivery, digital access, or service usage.
- Include customer service interactions that occurred well before the dispute.
Use terms like “time-barred claim” or “untimely filing” in your rebuttal. Most processors have specific dispute categories for this. If your documentation is clear, the card network may close the case without further review.
Amex and Discover: Special Cases
Amex doesn’t publish a hard time limit on chargebacks. That doesn’t mean they don’t have one; it means the issuer decides.
Most Amex chargebacks still happen within 120–180 days, but outliers can go up to a full year. You’ll need strong evidence to challenge these, since Amex acts as both the issuer and network.
Discover generally follows the 120-day rule, but allows flexibility for non-receipt or travel-related services. That gives customers a reason to delay a dispute, which you’ll need to counter with evidence.
Why Some Merchants Keep Getting “Late” Chargebacks
Here are common reasons merchants receive chargebacks after the expected deadline:
- Unclear fulfillment dates: No shipment or service confirmation.
- Subscription confusion: Recurring billing disputes flagged months later.
- Digital delivery gaps: No login records or access logs to prove usage.
- No merchant response: Missed window to fight back on time-based grounds.
Preventing late chargebacks is about more than watching the calendar. It’s about logging every step: the purchase, the delivery, the access, the complaints, and your responses.
The Time Limit on Chargebacks Doesn’t Always Work in Your Favor
Banks aren’t always honest about the clock. The time limit on chargebacks might look clear on paper, but in reality, it shifts based on interpretation and enforcement. Merchants need to know when the rules apply and when to fight back.
Keep detailed records, review dispute timestamps carefully, and don’t let a slow-moving cardholder cost you revenue that should be protected by policy.
FAQ: Time Limit on Chargebacks
What is the time limit on chargebacks for Visa?
Visa sets a 120-day deadline from the transaction date or from when the cardholder became aware of the problem. The exact start point can vary based on the dispute reason.
Can Mastercard chargebacks be filed after 120 days?
Yes. Mastercard allows some chargebacks to be filed up to 540 days from the transaction date, depending on the reason code. These are usually tied to travel or long-term services.
Does Amex follow the same time limit on chargebacks?
No. American Express does not publish a strict deadline. Cardholders can often dispute charges many months later, but merchants can still challenge those disputes with strong records.
How can I tell if a chargeback is too late?
Check the transaction date, delivery date, and the date the dispute was filed. If more than 120 days have passed and there’s no valid exception, the chargeback may be outside the allowed timeframe.
What evidence helps dispute a late chargeback?
Useful evidence includes shipping records, CRM logs, digital access timestamps, customer communication history, and processor filing data. These can prove that the deadline was missed.
Don't Let a Late Dispute Cost You a Win
When a chargeback hits your account months after a sale, you shouldn't assume it's valid. Chargeblast helps merchants monitor dispute timelines, identify expired claims, and push back with technical evidence that counts. If your chargebacks feel suspiciously late or unfair, we'll help you set the record straight before the refund ever hits.
Ready to shut down time-barred chargebacks? Let's talk.
