Visa Reason Code 13.3: Not as Described or Defective Merchandise
The cardholder received the item but claims it was defective or significantly different from how you described it.
Your strongest argument
What the customer received matched the description they agreed to at checkout, and your refund/return terms were disclosed.
Evidence that wins a Visa 13.3 dispute
- Your product/service description exactly as shown at checkout
- Photos, specs, or QA records proving what shipped matched the listing
- Terms, return policy, and refund policy the customer accepted
- Communication history about any resolution offered
Ordered strongest first — lead your rebuttal with the items at the top.
Source: Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules; Visa Dispute Resolution (Visa Claims Resolution) documentation. The Visa rulebook defines this code and its dispute framework; the issuer decides every dispute and sets the exact deadline shown in your processor dashboard.
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How processors label this dispute
| Processor | What you'll see |
|---|---|
| Stripe | reason: product_unacceptable |
| PayPal | Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) |
Where to pull this evidence
Prove what shipped matched what the customer agreed to buy. Here's exactly where the relevant records live in each processor dashboard — gather them free before you build your pack.
Stripe
Dashboard → Payments → Disputes (or the email alert from Stripe).
- AVS & CVC check results: Open the original payment → Payment details → "Checks" (CVC, ZIP, address).
- Customer email, IP, and device: Payment → Customer section and the "Risk insights" / Radar panel.
- Receipt / order confirmation: Payment → "Send receipt" or your order-management system; export the PDF.
- Refund history & reference IDs: Payment → Timeline shows any refunds with their re_… reference IDs.
Shopify Payments
Shopify admin → Orders → the flagged order → "Chargeback" banner, or Settings → Payments → Manage disputes.
- Order & fulfillment details: Orders → the order → Fulfillment + Timeline (shows when items shipped).
- Tracking number & carrier: Orders → Fulfillment → tracking; confirm "Delivered" status with the carrier.
- Customer info & IP: Order → Customer section; Order → Additional details / fraud analysis for IP and AVS/CVV.
- Fraud analysis (AVS/CVV/risk): Order → "Fraud analysis" panel shows AVS, CVV, and Shopify’s risk indicators.
Square
Square Dashboard → Disputes (or Balance → Disputes), or the email from Square.
- Transaction & receipt: Transactions → the payment → receipt; "Resend receipt" for a copy.
- Card-present / chip details: Transaction detail shows entry method (chip, tap, keyed) — chip reads support card-present disputes.
- Customer details: Customer Directory → the customer; or the transaction’s customer section.
- Itemization & amount: Transaction → itemized breakdown to rebut "incorrect amount" claims.
PayPal
PayPal → Resolution Center → the open case (Dispute, Claim, or Chargeback).
- Transaction details & ID: Activity → the transaction → details; note the Transaction ID.
- Proof of delivery / tracking: Resolution Center → "Respond" → add tracking number + carrier (PayPal validates delivery).
- Proof of shipment / service: Resolution Center evidence upload: invoice, shipment receipt, or service-completion proof.
- Buyer communication: Resolution Center message thread + your own email records with the buyer.
Build a submission-ready Visa 13.3 response
ChargebackKit assembles your evidence into a formatted, labeled rebuttal pack with the exhibits and response letter card networks expect — pre-mapped to Not as Described disputes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Visa reason code 13.3?↓
How do I win a 13.3 chargeback?↓
Is the cardholder required to return the item first?↓
Where to go next
Build the pack for Not as Described disputes, or dig into the matching guide, template, and processor evidence requirements.
Build the pack for this dispute
Guides for this dispute
Templates for this dispute
Updated June 2026. This code’s meaning and evidence requirements are sourced from the Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules; Visa Dispute Resolution (Visa Claims Resolution) documentation and may change as Visa revises its rules; always check your processor dashboard for the exact deadline and label on your dispute. The issuer decides every dispute — there is no guaranteed outcome.