4808 – Expired Chargeback Protection Period

DESCRIPTION

Why did I receive a chargeback classified as ‘expired chargeback protection period’?

You received this chargeback because you settled the transaction after the deadline and the cardholder’s account is no longer in good standing.

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CLASSIFICATION

How does Mastercard classify this dispute?

Mastercard nests several subcategories under general, overarching reason codes. This ‘expired chargeback protection period’ subcategory is part of reason code 4808 — authorisation-related chargebacks.

Authorisation-related disputes usually happen when an issuer claims a transaction was not properly authorized.

Mastercard has two transaction processing workflows: dual message and single message. 4808 is a dual message reason code.

ISSUER TIME LIMIT

How long can the issuer wait to file an ‘expired chargeback protection period’ chargeback?

In most regions and situations, issuers must file an ‘expired chargeback protection period’ chargeback within 90 days of the transaction processing date.

For ATM and Maestro transactions when both the issuer and acquirer are located in Europe, the time limit is 120 days from the transaction processing date.

For mainland China domestic transactions, the issuer must act between 5 and 90 days of the transaction settlement date.

SECOND PRESENTMENT

Can I fight an ‘expired chargeback protection period’ chargeback?

Yes. According to Mastercard’s rules, there are several situations that would warrant a second presentment (sometimes referred to as representment or a chargeback response).

However, you should exercise this right with extreme caution.

If you challenge a chargeback without a strong case backed by undisputable evidence, then the issuer can file arbitration — which triggers expensive fees. It is best to only fight 4808 chargebacks if you are confident you’ll win.

Here are the official situations that warrant a second presentment.

You can fight the chargeback if you have already refunded the transaction.

You can also fight the chargeback if it is invalid. There are a couple of reasons why a chargeback might be invalid.

• The chargeback does not meet Mastercard’s filing requirements. The transaction was properly identified as acquirer-financed or merchant-financed installment payments. Or, the transaction was properly identified as transit-related.
• The chargeback was processed after the time limit.
• A single transaction had more than one chargeback.
• The primary account number (PAN) and acquirer reference number (ARN) used in the chargeback do not match what was sent in the original transaction record.

Lastly, you can fight a chargeback if the chargeback protection period has not expired. If any one of these three things is true, you can submit a second presentment.

• You processed the transaction within 30 days of the pre-authorisation approval date.
• You processed the transaction within 7 days of the authorisation approval date.
• The issuer still considers the cardholder’s account to be in good standing at the time of the chargeback.

NOTE: There are slight timing differences for transactions processed in India and Costa Rica. And until Maestro cards are fully retired in 2027, pre-auth transactions on Maestro cards need to be settled within 7 days of approval.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

What supporting documents are needed for an ‘expired chargeback protection period’ chargeback?

If an issuer incorrectly files an authorisation-related chargeback and it can be disputed, your acquirer’s chargeback platform should automatically catch the error and respond on your behalf.

If your acquirer doesn’t automatically respond and you receive a chargeback notice, you can fight the chargeback yourself. Here’s how.

Every chargeback response you create needs to have a rebuttal letter that explains why you think the case should be overturned.

For some reason codes, supporting documents must be submitted with the rebuttal letter. But for expired chargeback protection period’ chargebacks, supporting documents aren’t required.

You can simply share relevant data elements in your rebuttal letter. You could even go one step further and provide your acquirer with the second presentment message code. This level of efficiency would probably be greatly appreciated!

The information you share depends on the reason for fighting the chargeback.

If you are fighting a chargeback because the protection period has not expired, you’ll want to include this information.

• The pre-authorisation date of the disputed transaction
• The authorisation date of the disputed transaction
• A note if the transaction was part of an installment billing plan
• A note if the transaction was transit-related
• A note about the cardholder’s account status — not closed or not statused.

The message code for this reasoning is 2713 (Invalid Chargeback).

If you are disputing a chargeback because a refund has already been issued, you’ll need to provide the date and acquirer reference data (ARD) for the refund. The message code is 2011 (Credit Previously Issued).

If you are disputing a chargeback because the issuer didn’t comply with Mastercard’s rules, explain why the chargeback was invalid in your rebuttal letter. The message code is 2713 (Invalid Chargeback).

If you are disputing a chargeback because it was filed outside the given time limit, share the transaction processing date and the chargeback processing date. The message code is 2702 (Past Chargeback Time Limit).

If you are disputing a chargeback because the issuer had previously issued a chargeback for the same transaction, provide the processing date and the reference number for the first chargeback. The message code is 2701 (Duplicate Chargeback).

NOTE: This information applies to chargebacks processed with the dual message system (which nearly all card-not-present transactions use). Chargebacks for single message transactions use a slightly different process. Mainland China has different rules too.

ACQUIRER TIME LIMIT

How quickly do I need to file a chargeback response?

In most situations, a second presentment must be submitted to the issuer within 45 calendar days of the chargeback processing date.

However, there are a few timeline exceptions. The following countries have alternate time limits in certain situations — either 10, 20, or 30 days instead of 45.

• Costa Rica
• Kazakhstan
• Mainland China
• Nigeria
• Poland
• Tanzania

NOTE: These time limits are for the acquirer — not you, the merchant. Merchant time limits are usually much shorter. Review your chargeback notice or check with your acquirer to find out how long you have to respond.

ADVANCING THE CASE

Are pre-arbitration and arbitration an option for an ‘expired chargeback protection period’ chargeback?

Yes, in most situations and regions, an issuer can advance the dispute after completing the chargeback and second-presentment stages of the dispute lifecycle.

For this subcategory of reason code 4808, Mastercard does not require pre-arbitration in most regions — it’s optional. In fact, “Mastercard strongly recommends skipping the optional pre-arbitration case step and proceeding to filing an arbitration case.” The only exceptions are Costa Rica and Tanzania.

If an issuer files pre-arbitration, you — the merchant — have an opportunity to respond or accept liability. If the issuer files arbitration, you could be responsible for paying the expensive filing fees.

Check our Mastercard pre-arbitration and arbitration guide to learn more.

PREVENT

How can I avoid chargebacks like this in the future?

Here are steps you can take to avoid this type of chargeback in the future.

• Always send an authorisation request before processing a transaction.
• Avoid partial refunds or reversals when possible. Only resolving part of the issue means the remaining transaction amount can still be disputed.
• If the transaction has a pre-authorisation, settle the transaction within 30 days of the latest authorisation approval date.
• If the transaction doesn’t have a pre-authorisation, settle the transaction within 7 days of the authorisation approval date.
• Promptly issue refunds for qualified requests. And let cardholders know when they can expect their account to be credited.

Want more information about preventing authorisation-related chargebacks? Visit our detailed guide on authorisation.

NOTE

Mastercard chargeback rules are complex. The guide is over 1,500 pages long — compared to 67 pages for Visa — and contains detailed rules for both issuers and acquirers.

In an attempt to simplify the complex, we are only sharing information that is most relevant to merchants. If you are an acquirer and in need of more details, reach out to our team. We’d be happy to walk through the specifics with you.