You sold it, a supplier shipped it, and you never touched it. Now a bank wants proof, and you hold only a supplier's tracking number. Here is why dropshipping chargebacks hit UK stores, who pays and how to build a case from records you do not own.
Dropshipping chargebacks in the UK land on you, not your supplier, because the customer's contract is with your store. A chargeback costs the sale plus a £10 fee, whatever the supplier did. Protect yourself with honest delivery times, tracked orders, a written supplier agreement and proof saved the moment each order ships.
This guide is for you if:
- You run a UK Shopify store on Shopify Payments and use suppliers who ship direct to your customers.
- You have had dropshipping chargebacks, or you are worried about long delivery times and unhappy customers.
- You want a practical plan for suppliers, delivery promises and evidence, with templates you can use today.
Last updated: 9 October 2026. Written by the ChargeFix team.
The 30-second answer (TL;DR)
- Dropshipping chargebacks fall on the seller. Legal explainers for UK sellers say the law usually treats you as the retailer, so customers look to you first and your recourse against the supplier is a separate matter.
- The most common triggers are slow or missing deliveries, goods that differ from the listing and customers who do not recognise the charge.
- A lost chargeback costs the disputed amount and a £10 UK fee, after you have already paid the supplier, so one loss can wipe out the profit of several orders.
- Winning a dispute does not remove it from your chargeback rate, so prevention is worth more than winning.
- If no delivery date was agreed, section 28 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires delivery within 30 days. Give honest delivery times and refund early when a parcel is clearly late.
- Keep supplier order confirmations, supplier tracking, listing screenshots and customer messages for every order.
Why dropshipping chargebacks happen
| Step | What happens | Where it goes wrong |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sale | The customer pays you | Delivery promise is vague or too short |
| 2. Supplier order | You pass the order to a supplier | Order delays or stock-outs you do not see |
| 3. Shipping | The supplier ships, often from abroad | Slow delivery, weak tracking, customs holds |
| 4. Delivery | The customer gets the goods, or does not | Item differs from the listing, or never arrives |
| 5. Complaint | The customer writes to you, or to their bank | A slow answer pushes them to the bank |
| 6. Dispute | A chargeback is filed against your store | You need proof you do not directly hold |
What causes dropshipping chargebacks?
Dropshipping chargebacks have mostly the same causes as any store, made worse by distance. Delivery takes longer, tracking is patchy, you cannot inspect the goods and the customer may not realise a third party shipped their order. Fraud and unrecognised charges also appear, but delays and mismatched goods drive most disputes.
Sellers facing dropshipping chargebacks often say, in effect, that they cannot fix what they cannot see. That is partly true. You cannot check each parcel, but you can control four things: what you promise, which suppliers you choose, what you record and how fast you answer. The rest of this guide is built around those four.
| Cause | What the customer says | Dispute reason it often becomes |
|---|---|---|
| Slow delivery | "It still has not arrived" | Product not received |
| Supplier stock-out or lost parcel | "Nothing ever came" | Product not received |
| Item differs from photos or description | "It is not what I ordered" | Product unacceptable |
| Poor quality or damage | "It arrived broken or flimsy" | Product unacceptable |
| Unfamiliar billing name or packaging | "I do not recognise this charge" | Unrecognised |
| Stolen card used | "I did not make this purchase" | Fraudulent |
| Refund promised but not seen | "You said you would refund me" | Credit not processed |
One article aimed at dropshippers points out that losses from shipping problems can fall on the seller even where the seller has no control over them. That is the heart of the issue, and it explains why the controls above matter so much.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice, and it reflects Shopify pages and other sources I reviewed on 9 October 2026.
Who is liable for dropshipping chargebacks in the UK?
You are. On dropshipping chargebacks, a legal explainer for UK dropshippers says the law usually treats you as the retailer, that customers' contracts are with your business and that "your customer will look to you first". Another says you will be the person responsible for making things good with your customer. Your claim against the supplier is a separate relationship.
The rules that matter most for delivery come from the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Section 28 says that if no delivery time was agreed, you must deliver promptly and in any event within 30 days of the contract. If delivery is late, the buyer can end the contract in certain cases, and you must reimburse all payments without undue delay. Section 29 keeps the goods at your risk until the buyer has physical possession. Neither section cares whether you or a supplier handled the parcel.
Citizens Advice says that for a business sale, it is the seller's responsibility to make sure the item is delivered, and that if a courier is involved, the seller should chase them. The same logic applies to your supplier. If they fail, your customer still expects you to fix it.
| Question | Answer in practice |
|---|---|
| Who does the customer deal with? | You |
| Who does the bank dispute go against? | You, through your Shopify Payments account |
| Who carries the risk until the buyer has the goods? | You (section 29) |
| Can you claim from the supplier? | Possibly, under your own agreement. A separate matter |
| Will the supplier fight the chargeback for you? | Do not count on it. The dispute runs between the bank and you |
One supplier-platform article states flatly that suppliers cannot help you with chargebacks and you must handle them yourself. That is a vendor's view, but it matches the structure: the card dispute is between the cardholder's bank and the merchant that took the payment, and your supplier is not a party to it.
For the delivery side in more detail, see the guides on lost in transit liability and safe place delivery liability.
What do dropshipping chargebacks cost you?
Dropshipping chargebacks cost the disputed amount, the £10 UK fee and the money you already paid the supplier. Unlike a seller who holds stock, you often cannot recover the goods. A lost chargeback can turn a small profit into a loss, and one loss can wipe out the profit from several sales.
Illustration: one lost chargeback on a £35 order. The customer pays £35. You pay the supplier £14 for the item and £4 for postage, £18 in all. A normal sale earns £35 - £18 = £17. If the customer wins a chargeback, the bank takes £35 and a £10 fee. Your result is £35 - £18 - £35 - £10 = -£28. The swing from a normal sale is £17 + £28 = £45, which is about 2.6 orders' worth of profit (£45 ÷ £17). The figures are invented to show the arithmetic.
Illustration: a month of dropshipping chargebacks. Say you lose 6 chargebacks in a month on orders like the one above. Those orders would have earned 6 × £17 = £102. Instead they cost 6 × £28 = £168, a total swing of £102 + £168 = £270, which is 6 × £45. The figures are invented, so replace them with your own.
| Item | Per lost chargeback (£35 order) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Disputed amount | £35 | Withdrawn when the chargeback is filed |
| Chargeback fee | £10 | UK fee. Not returned on a loss |
| Supplier cost already paid | £18 | Often unrecoverable |
| Normal profit lost | £17 | What you should have earned |
| Total swing | £45 | Before your time |
The chargeback cost calculator lets you test your own margins. Remember too that Shopify says winning a dispute does not remove it from your chargeback rate, so even the disputes you win add to the number that decides how closely you are watched. The guide on what happens if you lose a chargeback explains the rate and its consequences.
How do delivery times drive dropshipping chargebacks?
Long delivery times create the gap between what the customer expects and what they get. If your page implies a few days and the supplier takes weeks, the customer feels cheated, and a bank may agree. Honest, specific delivery promises are the cheapest fix for dropshipping chargebacks.
Shopify's preventing-chargebacks guidance says to ship products as soon as possible after you collect payment, to give accurate delivery estimates or provide tracking information from the shipping company and to contact customers if shipping is delayed. Those three lines are a good policy for any dropshipper.
The legal backdrop is the 30 day default. If you do not agree a delivery time, section 28 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says you must deliver promptly and in any event within 30 days after the contract was made. If you state a period, that period matters. I am not a lawyer, so take advice on how a stated range interacts with the Act for your products.
Illustration: a delivery promise timeline. An order is placed on Monday 2 November 2026. A supplier quotes 15 to 25 working days. Counting from that Monday, 25 working days later is Monday 7 December 2026, ignoring bank holidays. A calendar 30 days from the order is Wednesday 2 December 2026. If your page says nothing about timing, the 30 day default applies and the longest supplier time would already be late. If your page honestly says "15 to 25 working days", the customer knows what to expect and you can plan messages around it. Dates are illustrative.
| What your page says | Risk |
|---|---|
| "Fast delivery" with no detail | High. Customer expects days |
| "Delivery 3 to 5 days" when the supplier takes weeks | Very high. A mismatch you caused |
| "Delivery 15 to 25 working days" matching the supplier | Low. Expectation matches reality |
| A date promised for a gift or event | Very high if missed. Dates can be essential |
Never promise a shorter time than your slowest supplier can meet. A customer who is told 10 days and gets a parcel at day 20 will contact their bank at day 12.
Which dispute reasons drive dropshipping chargebacks, and what proof answers them?
Product not received and product unacceptable cause most dropshipping chargebacks. Shopify lists the proof for each reason, and for dropshipping you need to add the supplier-side records that normal stores keep in a warehouse. Lead with the strongest direct proof, and label everything.
Shopify's guidance on chargeback reasons says, for product not received, to submit the fulfilment date and time, billing information, and shipping and tracking information, and it uploads a PDF of fulfilment events for you. For product unacceptable, it suggests descriptions or pictures showing the product matched its listing, shipping and tracking, and proof the customer did not try to return or cancel first.
| Dispute reason | Standard proof | Extra proof for a dropshipper |
|---|---|---|
| Product not received | Fulfilment date, tracking, billing, delivery proof | Supplier order confirmation, supplier dispatch notice with date |
| Product unacceptable | Listing text and pictures, tracking, no return attempt | Supplier product page or spec sheet matching your listing |
| Fraudulent | IP, billing, shipping and tracking | Address match, prior orders, delivery to the billing address |
| Unrecognised | Billing name, order confirmation | Proof the descriptor is your store name, plus the receipt |
| Credit not processed | Refund policy, refund emails, proof of refund | Dated refund log with confirmation number |
The extra column is where dropshippers often fall short. Supplier emails go to your inbox, then disappear into a thread. Save them against the order the day they arrive. The routine for doing that is in the guide to evidence to save at fulfilment.
For the delivered but disputed case, the guide on when tracking says delivered but the customer says no explains what proof carries weight with a bank.
How do you vet suppliers to prevent dropshipping chargebacks?
Order samples, ask for written terms, check how they handle tracking, loss and returns, and start with small orders. A supplier who cannot answer clear questions in writing is a risk you carry into every chargeback. The goal is a supplier whose records you can use as evidence.
A guide for dropshippers lists red flags such as communication only through messaging apps, missing invoices and low-quality certifications, and suggests choosing experienced suppliers that respond quickly. That is a vendor's advice, but it is common sense. A supplier you cannot reach in a dispute is worth little.
SUPPLIER CHECKLIST
- [ ] Sample ordered and received by me: [date], quality [rating]
- [ ] Product matches my listing photos and description
- [ ] Delivery time quoted in writing: [range]
- [ ] Tracking number provided for every order, within [period]
- [ ] Tracking works on a UK-facing site or carrier page
- [ ] What happens if a parcel is lost or damaged: [answer in writing]
- [ ] Who pays for returns and replacements: [answer in writing]
- [ ] Packing slip shows my store name, not theirs
- [ ] Invoices and order confirmations sent by email, not only a chat app
- [ ] A named contact who answers within [period]
- [ ] Written agreement signed or accepted: [date]
| Supplier behaviour | Risk level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Quick, clear answers in writing | Low | Proceed, start small |
| Vague about delivery times | Medium | Ask for a range in writing before listing |
| No tracking numbers or late ones | High | Do not list their products |
| Chat app only, no invoices | High | Ask for email records, or find another supplier |
| Refuses to discuss lost parcels | High | Expect to carry all the loss |
Put every answer into a supplier agreement, not a chat thread, so you can rely on it when dropshipping chargebacks arrive.
How do you add a tracking number to a dropshipped order?
Add the supplier's tracking number to the Shopify order as soon as you have it, so the customer receives it and Shopify can include it in a response. Check that the number works on a carrier page the customer can open. A tracking number is the spine of any defence against dropshipping chargebacks.
Shopify's guidance is to keep customers updated throughout the shipping process and to use online tracking and delivery confirmation when you can. For dropshipping, the hard part is that the tracking number often arrives late, belongs to an overseas carrier or only updates once the parcel reaches the UK.
| Tracking problem | Why it hurts | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier sends the number days late | The customer thinks nothing has shipped | Ask for tracking within a stated time, in the agreement |
| Number does not work on a UK page | The customer cannot check it | Test every new supplier's tracking before listing |
| Tracking stalls abroad | It looks lost | Message the customer with the latest scan and a plan |
| One number covers many parcels | Delivery is hard to prove | Ask for a unique number per order |
| No delivery scan at all | Nothing to show a bank | Treat the order as at risk, offer a fix early |
A screenshot of the tracking page, captured when the parcel shows as delivered and again if the customer complains, is much stronger than your memory of what it said. Tracking pages can change or drop old records. If you need help with the delivered but disputed case, see the guide on when tracking says delivered but the customer says no.
How can you reduce fraud before you order from the supplier?
Check risky orders before you pass them to the supplier. Once a supplier ships, the goods are gone, and a fraud chargeback costs you the amount, the fee and the supplier cost. Shopify advises investigating suspicious orders before fulfilling and, for UK addresses, considering shipping only orders that pass an address check.
Shopify's preventing-chargebacks page says to ship only orders that pass an AVS check for shipments to the US, UK or Canada, and to contact the customer before shipping if the check fails. It also points to its fraud analysis for flagging risky orders. For dropshippers, the sensible order of work is: payment, risk check, then supplier order.
| Signal | Why it matters | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| Address check fails | The billing and shipping details do not line up | Contact the customer before ordering from the supplier |
| Shopify fraud analysis flags the order | Higher chance of a stolen card | Hold the supplier order and review |
| Shipping address far from billing, high value | Common in fraud | Ask the customer to confirm |
| Rush request on an expensive item | Fraudsters want speed | Slow down and verify |
| Many orders from one device or address | Pattern of abuse | Pause and investigate |
Do not hold every order. That delays honest customers and creates its own complaints. Hold the ones that look wrong, and keep the review short. The guide on whether to refund a customer who opened a dispute covers what to do if a fraud dispute arrives anyway.
What should a supplier agreement say about dropshipping chargebacks?
At least who handles replacements, refunds and return costs, what happens to goods lost or damaged in transit, delivery timeframes and when risk passes. Legal explainers for UK dropshippers recommend a written agreement, and suggest an indemnity where the supplier is at fault. Take legal advice on the wording.
Two explainers I reviewed agree on the main points. One says that, since you remain legally responsible to the customer, you should look for an indemnity from the supplier and a clear allocation of replacements, refunds and return shipping costs. The other says that without a written agreement you are relying largely on goodwill, which is not always a safe assumption, and that overseas suppliers can make enforcement difficult and time-consuming.
| Topic | Question to settle in writing |
|---|---|
| Delivery | Quoted time range, shipping methods, packaging |
| Tracking | Provided for every order, in what time, from which carrier |
| Loss or damage in transit | Who replaces or refunds, and how fast |
| Wrong or defective goods | Replacement, credit or refund, and who pays shipping |
| Returns | Where returned goods go, and who pays |
| Chargebacks | Whether the supplier shares any loss caused by its error |
| Records | Will it supply dispatch proof, photos and weights on request |
| Warranties | Goods are genuine and non-infringing |
This is not legal advice. A solicitor can tell you whether a clause is enforceable, especially with an overseas supplier. What you can do yourself is ask for these answers in writing before you list a product, and keep the replies with your supplier records.
How do you write honest delivery promises to cut dropshipping chargebacks?
State a range based on what the supplier actually delivers, show it on the product page, at checkout and in the confirmation email, and send tracking as soon as you have it. Add a line about what happens if the order is late. Clear promises are your best defence against a product not received claim.
PRODUCT PAGE
Delivery: [x] to [y] working days after your order is dispatched.
Orders are shipped directly from our supplier. You will receive tracking
by email within [period].
CHECKOUT AND CONFIRMATION EMAIL
Your order will arrive in [x] to [y] working days. If it has not arrived
by [date], contact us at [email] and we will sort it out.
DELAY MESSAGE (send when tracking stalls)
Your order [#] is taking longer than expected. The latest tracking update is
[update, date]. We have asked our supplier to check. You can choose a
replacement or a refund. Reply with your choice and we will act today.
The delay message is the most important. Shopify advises contacting customers when shipping is delayed. A proactive message turns a potential dropshipping chargeback into a customer who feels looked after.
If you also rely on "safe place" delivery, remember who carries the risk. The guide on safe place delivery liability explains why a general permission rarely helps you.
How do you keep evidence to defend dropshipping chargebacks when a supplier ships?
Save the supplier's order confirmation and dispatch notice, pull the tracking into your order record, screenshot the product listing as it stood on the sale date and keep every customer message together. Do this when each order ships, not after a dispute. It takes a couple of minutes per order.
A short routine works well:
- When you place the supplier order, save the confirmation against the Shopify order.
- When the supplier ships, save the dispatch email and add the tracking number to the Shopify order, so the customer gets it and Shopify can include it.
- On delivery or after seven days of no movement, take a screenshot of the tracking page.
- If the customer writes, keep the thread and add a note with the date.
- Monthly, screenshot your product pages and policy pages, so you have a dated record.
DROPSHIP ORDER NOTE (paste into the order)
Shopify order: [#] Supplier order: [#]
Supplier ordered: [date] Dispatch notice: [date] Carrier: [name]
Tracking: [number] Quoted delivery: [range]
Listing screenshot saved: [date]
Customer contact: [none / dates]
Shopify says to keep customers updated throughout the shipping process and to use online tracking and delivery confirmation when you can. Putting tracking on the order does both jobs at once.
How do you answer a dropshipping chargeback for product not received?
Start with a short summary, then the strongest proof first: delivery proof if you have it, otherwise the tracking record and address match. Add the supplier dispatch notice, your delivery promise, customer messages and policies. Label every file, and be honest about what you cannot show.
SUMMARY
Order [#] was placed on [date] for £[amount]. Our supplier dispatched it on
[date] with [carrier], tracking number [number]. The carrier recorded
delivery on [date] at [time] to [address / postcode].
EVIDENCE 1: PROOF OF DELIVERY
[Signature / photo / tracking record showing delivered to the order address],
captured [date]. Attached.
EVIDENCE 2: SUPPLIER DISPATCH
Supplier dispatch notice dated [date] with the tracking number. Attached.
EVIDENCE 3: DELIVERY PROMISE
Screenshot of our product page and checkout showing the quoted delivery time
of [range], captured [date]. The parcel arrived within that range.
EVIDENCE 4: CUSTOMER CONTACT
[The customer contacted us on [date]. We replied on [date] and offered a
replacement or refund.] [OR: We received no contact before the dispute.]
EVIDENCE 5: ORDER HISTORY
The customer placed [number] earlier orders that were not disputed.
REQUEST
On the evidence above, we ask that the dispute be decided in the merchant's favour.
If the parcel shows as late or undelivered, dropshipping chargebacks are hard to win, and the guide on when to refund a customer who opened a dispute explains your options. Shopify says banks can rule for the customer even when you provide delivery confirmation, so treat every case as a judgement call.
Should you refund early or fight dropshipping chargebacks?
To limit dropshipping chargebacks, refund early when a parcel is clearly late or lost and you cannot prove delivery. Fight when you hold direct proof and the amount justifies your time. A refund before a dispute avoids the £10 fee and the rate impact, and a refund during an inquiry ends it. You cannot refund an open chargeback.
Illustration: refund or fight on a £35 order. A refund costs £35, and you have already paid the supplier £18. A lost chargeback costs £35 + £10 = £45 more. If your time is worth £10, fighting costs £10 if you win and £55 if you lose. Fighting beats refunding when the chance of winning exceeds (£55 - £35) ÷ (£55 - £10) = £20 ÷ £45, about 44%. So with weak proof, a refund is cheaper on average; with strong proof, fighting can pay. The figures are invented. The should I fight this calculator lets you test your own numbers.
| Situation | Suggested move |
|---|---|
| Parcel clearly lost, no delivery proof | Refund or replace now |
| Late but moving, customer still angry | Update the customer and offer a choice |
| Delivered with proof, customer denies | Prepare to fight |
| Item differs from your listing | Refund, then fix the listing or the supplier |
| Fraud with weak links to the buyer | Weigh the odds, fight if you hold strong data |
How do you protect your payouts and account from dropshipping chargebacks?
Keep dropshipping chargebacks low, because Shopify says a high rate can affect your store status and lead to a reserve, and it publishes no fixed threshold. Watch the number monthly, and treat any rising trend as a supplier or listing problem to fix, not just a run of bad luck.
The rate is monthly chargebacks divided by chargeback-eligible transactions. Illustration: with 1,000 eligible transactions and 8 chargebacks, the rate is 0.8%. Winning 3 of them leaves it at 0.8%, because wins do not remove chargebacks from the count. The figures are invented.
If disputes start to affect your money, the guides on Shopify payout held for a chargeback and a Shopify Payments reserve explain what can happen, and the guide on Shopify Payments disabled gives a seven day plan if the worst occurs. I did not verify whether Shopify Payments applies extra rules to dropshipping stores, so check Shopify's current terms for your business model.
What's different for UK merchants?
This section is general information, not legal advice. For UK dropshippers, the main differences are the Consumer Rights Act rules on delivery and risk, the £10 chargeback fee, how UK cardholders claim and the extra questions around overseas suppliers. How bank holidays affect your due date is not covered in the Shopify pages I reviewed.
On law, sections 28 and 29 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 apply to you as the seller, however the goods reach the customer. A legal explainer for UK dropshippers also says distance selling rules normally give consumers 14 days to change their mind, and that the seller must still refund even if return shipping costs more than the goods are worth. I have not checked every exception, so confirm the rules for your products.
On tax and customs, one explainer says online sellers must collect VAT as the seller of goods, and that the position with overseas suppliers or customers can become complicated. I have not covered VAT or import duty here. Speak to an accountant before you rely on a supplier abroad.
On cost, the UK chargeback fee is £10, and Shopify says it is returned if you win. The Shopify chargeback fee guide for the UK explains it.
On claims, MoneyHelper says buyers typically have 120 days to make a chargeback claim, and that credit card buyers can claim under Section 75 for purchases from £100 to £30,000. Debit card buyers use chargeback only. With long delivery times, dropshipping chargebacks for "never arrived" can arrive just as a late parcel is finally delivered, so keep your delivery records.
What are the most common dropshipping chargeback mistakes?
These habits are behind most avoidable dropshipping chargebacks.
- Promising delivery times the supplier cannot meet.
- Choosing suppliers on price alone, with no written supplier agreement.
- Not saving supplier confirmations, tracking and dispatch notices.
- Waiting until the customer complains before checking a late parcel.
- Telling the customer to "contact the supplier", when the contract is with you.
- Listing products you have never seen or tested.
- Using a billing name customers do not recognise.
- Missing the due date. After it passes, the result is final.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for dropshipping chargebacks?
The seller pays dropshipping chargebacks. A chargeback is filed against the merchant that took the payment, so the disputed amount and the £10 UK fee leave your balance, even if the supplier caused the problem. You may have a claim against the supplier under your own agreement, but that is a separate matter and may be hard to enforce.
Are dropshipping chargebacks more common?
Dropshipping has features that make disputes more likely: longer delivery times, patchy tracking, goods you cannot inspect and customers who may not realise a third party ships. I could not find a reliable independent statistic, so I will not quote one. Control delivery promises, suppliers and records to lower your own rate.
Can I pass dropshipping chargebacks to my supplier?
Not through the card process. The dispute runs between the customer's bank and your store. Whether you can recover money from a supplier depends on your supplier agreement, and legal explainers recommend a written one with an indemnity where the supplier is at fault. Overseas enforcement can be difficult and slow.
What proof do I need for a dropshipping chargeback?
For product not received, Shopify suggests the fulfilment date and time, billing information, and shipping and tracking information. Add the supplier dispatch notice, proof of delivery, your delivery promise and customer messages. For product unacceptable, add listing text and pictures. Lead with the strongest proof and label every file.
How long can a dropshipping delivery take legally?
If no delivery time was agreed, section 28 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says you must deliver promptly and in any event within 30 days. If you state a period, that period matters. Take advice on how a stated range works for your products, and never promise less than your supplier can deliver.
Should I refund a late dropshipping order?
If the parcel is clearly lost or very late and you cannot prove delivery, yes, early. A refund before a dispute avoids the £10 fee and the chargeback rate impact. Once a chargeback is open you cannot refund. During an inquiry, a full refund ends it, but a partial refund does not.
Does winning a dropshipping chargeback help my chargeback rate?
No. Shopify says winning a dispute does not remove it from the rate. The rate is monthly chargebacks divided by chargeback-eligible transactions. That is why preventing the dispute is worth more than winning it, and why honest delivery promises matter.
Does Shopify Payments allow dropshipping?
I did not verify Shopify's current rules for dropshipping on Shopify Payments, so I will not state them. Check Shopify's current payment terms and acceptable use policies for your business model, and ask Support if you are unsure. Your delivery promises and records matter whatever the answer.
How long do customers have to file a dispute?
MoneyHelper says buyers typically have 120 days to make a chargeback claim. Credit card buyers may also use Section 75 for purchases from £100 to £30,000. With slow suppliers, a dispute can land months after the order, so keep supplier confirmations, tracking and customer messages for at least that long.
What should I do first when a dropshipping chargeback arrives?
Copy the due date, which is normally 7 to 21 days after the chargeback is filed, and read the dispute reason. Gather the supplier records, tracking and customer messages for that order. Do not refund an open chargeback. The guide to the Shopify chargeback email walks through the first 24 hours.
Start free trial with ChargeFix
ChargeFix is a Shopify app for Shopify Payments disputes: it gathers the proof from your store, drafts the response from verified facts, on flat monthly pricing with no cut of what you win. You review and file it, or let Auto mode handle them. If dropshipping chargebacks are eating your margin, start free trial and have the evidence ready before the due date.
Sources
- Preventing chargebacks, Shopify Help Center
- Chargeback reasons, Shopify Help Center
- Responding to chargebacks and inquiries, Shopify Help Center
- Resolving a chargeback or inquiry, Shopify Help Center
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 28, legislation.gov.uk
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 29, legislation.gov.uk
- If something you ordered hasn't arrived, Citizens Advice
- Dropshipping legal considerations, LegalVision
- The legal pros and cons of dropshipping, Crunch
- Dropshipping chargebacks, EPROLO
- Everything you need to know about dropshipping chargebacks, Tradelle
- How to sort a problem with a payment, MoneyHelper
01Dispute scenarios
02Dispute prevention
03Dispute outcomes
04Chargebacks
05Dispute prevention
06Evidence