What are Stripe chargeback dispute fees? | Walla Support Center
Learn how Stripe dispute fees work, what you'll be charged when a chargeback is filed, and how your response affects the total cost to your merchant account.
A chargeback dispute happens when a cardholder challenges a payment with their bank. As soon as the bank files a formal dispute, the payment is reversed and Stripe deducts the disputed amount from your merchant account, along with a $15 dispute received fee. Your decision to Accept or Counter from that point determines whether additional fees apply and whether any funds are returned, based on the bank's ruling.
Dispute Fee Overview
Stripe applies dispute-related fees — and always deducts the disputed amount — as soon as a dispute is filed.
Note: As of June 17, 2025, Stripe introduced a $15 countered fee that applies when you submit evidence to challenge a dispute. This fee only applies to disputes filed on or after June 17, 2025. Previously, only the $15 dispute received fee was charged regardless of whether you responded.
If the cardholder withdraws the dispute through their bank, the disputed amount is returned and the $15 countered fee is refunded if already assessed. The $15 dispute received fee remains non-refundable. Withdrawals are rare, initiated solely by the cardholder, and outcomes are never guaranteed.
Examples
You Counter and Win
A client disputes a $100 charge.
- Stripe removes $100 and charges a $15 dispute received fee
- You counter the dispute and a $15 countered fee is charged
- The card issuer rules in your favor
- Stripe returns the $100 and the $15 countered fee
Final cost to your business: $15 dispute received fee
You Counter and Lose
A client disputes a $100 charge.
- Stripe removes $100 and charges a $15 dispute received fee
- You counter the dispute and a $15 countered fee is charged
- The card issuer rules in the cardholder's favor
Final cost to your business: $130
You Accept or Do Not Respond
A client disputes a $100 charge.
A client disputes a $100 charge.
- Stripe removes $100 and charges a $15 dispute received fee
-
No counter is submitted and no additional fees are charged
Final cost to your business: $115
Can I Refund a Charge to Avoid Dispute Fees?
No — once a cardholder files a dispute, it's too late. The bank has already reversed the payment through the chargeback process and a refund is no longer possible at that point.
That said, issuing a full refund directly to the cardholder's original payment method before a dispute is filed prevents the dispute from happening in the first place, protecting you from both the chargeback and the associated fees. Refunding to a client's Account Balance does not prevent a dispute from being filed, as the cardholder's bank has no visibility into account credits issued within Walla.
SmartDisputes Fee
In some cases, Stripe may automatically counter a dispute on your behalf using their SmartDisputes. When this occurs, the standard $15 dispute received fee still applies. If SmartDisputes counters the dispute and the decision is found in your favor, Stripe will apply an additional success fee equal to 30% of the recovered amount. This fee is assessed by Stripe and will reflect in an upcoming Walla invoice.