What are Stripe dispute fees?

💡 Update as of June 17, 2025:
Stripe introduced a new $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.

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.

What are dispute fees?

A dispute—also called a chargeback—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 account, along with a $15 dispute received fee.

If you decide to challenge the dispute and submit evidence, a $15 dispute countered fee is also charged. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, Stripe will return the $15 dispute countered fee to your account.

💸 Dispute Fee Overview

Stripe applies dispute-related fees—and always deducts the disputed amount—as soon as a dispute is filed. Your response determines whether additional fees apply and whether any funds are returned.

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Action

Fees

Disputed Amount Deducted?

Refunded If You Win?

You Counter

$15 dispute received fee

$15 countered fee

✅ Yes

✅ Countered fee and disputed amount

❌ Dispute received fee

Customer Withdraws

$15 dispute received fee

✅ Yes

✅ Disputed amount

❌ Dispute received fee

Accept the Dispute

$15 dispute received fee

✅ Yes

❌ Dispute received fee

❌ Disputed amount

No Response (auto-accepted)

$15 dispute received fee

✅ Yes

❌ Dispute received fee

❌ Disputed amount

✅ Example: You Counter and Win the Dispute

A client disputes a $100 charge.

Stripe removes $100 and charges a $15 dispute received fee
You decide to 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

Stripe removes $100 and charges a $15 dispute received fee

You decide to 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

⚠️ Example: You Counter and Lose the Dispute

You counter a $100 dispute, but the card issuer rules in favor of the client.

Stripe removes $100, charges a $15 dispute received fee
You decide to counter the dispute, and a $15 countered fee is charged
The issuer denies your evidence
❌ Final cost to your business: $130

Stripe removes $100, charges a $15 dispute received fee

You decide to counter the dispute, and a $15 countered fee is charged

The issuer denies your evidence

❌ Final cost to your business: $130

⚠️ Example: You Don’t Counter (Respond) to the Dispute

You choose not to respond to a $100 dispute.

Stripe removes $100
You’re charged the $15 dispute received fee
No countered fee is charged since you didn’t respond
❌ Final cost to your business: $115

Stripe removes $100

You’re charged the $15 dispute received fee

No countered fee is charged since you didn’t respond

❌ Final cost to your business: $115

⚠️ You Accept the Dispute

Stripe removes $100
Stripe charges a $15 dispute received fee
You do not counter, and no additional fees are applied
⚠️ Final cost: $115

Stripe removes $100

Stripe charges a $15 dispute received fee

You do not counter, and no additional fees are applied

⚠️ Final cost: $115

✅ Customer Withdraws the Dispute

Stripe removes $100 and applies $15 dispute received fee
You contact the customer, and they agree to withdraw the dispute
Stripe returns $100 (and $15 countered fee if already paid)
✅ Final cost: $15

Stripe removes $100 and applies $15 dispute received fee

You contact the customer, and they agree to withdraw the dispute

Stripe returns $100 (and $15 countered fee if already paid)

✅ Final cost: $15

Can I refund a charge to avoid paying dispute fees?

No—once a cardholder files a dispute, it’s too late. You’ll be charged the dispute fee, and you won’t be able to issue a refund since the bank has already reversed the payment through the chargeback process.

That said, if you issue a full refund before a dispute is filed, the dispute never happens in the first place—so you’re protected from both the dispute and the associated fees. But at that point, it’s really just luck that you refunded it before the cardholder took action.