← All refund guides
DHgate logo

DHgate Refund Policy

Last verified: 2026-03-24

Official DHgate PolicyVerified

www.dhresource.com/user/crm/buyer/faq/en-support.html

Summary

DHgate offers refunds within Buyer Protection window of up to 90 days from shipment; dispute windows vary by shipping method (5–90 days after shipment for express, 10–90 days for standard post). Processing time: 24–36 hours for DHgate customer service response; 10 days for supplier to respond to disputes; credit card refunds may take 1–2 billing cycles (28–31 days) to appear on statement. Refund methods include credit/debit card and paypal: refunded to paypal account, same-day if paying from balance; up to 5 business days for linked card. Item never delivered after the guaranteed delivery window has passed (non-receipt claim)..

Refund Window

Buyer Protection window of up to 90 days from shipment; dispute windows vary by shipping method (5–90 days after shipment for express, 10–90 days for standard post)

Processing Time

24–36 hours for DHgate customer service response; 10 days for supplier to respond to disputes; credit card refunds may take 1–2 billing cycles (28–31 days) to appear on statement

Refund Method

Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard): refunded to original card, typically 7–20 business days depending on card issuer

Video Guides

Search on YouTube

How to Get a Refund — Step by Step

  1. 1Log in to your DHgate account and navigate to 'My DHgate' to view your orders.
  2. 2Find the order with the issue and click 'Open Dispute' under the Status Column.
  3. 3Select the reason for your dispute: non-receipt, item not as described, damaged, quality issue, or counterfeit.
  4. 4Upload detailed evidence: photos of the item, comparison with listing, unboxing video, photos of damaged packaging.
  5. 5Submit your refund proposal (full refund or partial refund amount) with a clear explanation.
  6. 6Wait for the seller to respond — they have up to 10 days to reply or counter-offer.
  7. 7If no agreement is reached, click 'Escalate Dispute' to involve the DHgate mediation team.
  8. 8DHgate's team reviews all evidence and makes a final decision — refund is processed if the ruling is in your favor.

When You Can Get a Refund

  • Item never delivered after the guaranteed delivery window has passed (non-receipt claim).
  • Item is significantly different from the listing description (wrong item, wrong specifications, counterfeit goods).
  • Item arrived damaged — must be reported within 72 hours of receipt.
  • Personal use items (underwear, wedding dresses, etc.) — disputes must be opened within 7 days of receipt.
  • Do NOT click 'Confirm Receipt' until you have fully inspected the item — confirming receipt significantly reduces DHgate's ability to intervene.
  • Disputes must be opened within the Buyer Protection window, which varies by shipping method.
  • Always communicate with sellers on the DHgate platform to maintain buyer protection — off-platform communication is not protected.

All Refund Methods

  • Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard): refunded to original card, typically 7–20 business days depending on card issuer
  • PayPal: refunded to PayPal account, same-day if paying from balance; up to 5 business days for linked card
  • DHgate account credit: processed within 24–48 hours
  • Bank transfer/Skrill/Masterpass: refunded to original account, processing time varies

Partial Refunds

  • Partial refunds are common when the item has minor differences from the listing but is still usable.
  • DHgate mediators may propose partial refunds as a compromise if evidence is not conclusive.
  • Shipping costs are typically non-refundable in partial refund scenarios.
  • For counterfeit item disputes, a full refund is more likely if you provide official brand inspection evidence.
  • Return shipping costs for international returns are the buyer's responsibility in most partial refund cases.

Dispute Process

  • Stage 1: Direct negotiation between buyer and seller for up to 10 days.
  • Stage 2: Escalate to DHgate mediation team if no agreement is reached — DHgate reviews evidence from both sides.
  • After 30 days, unresolved complaints are closed and payment is released to the seller — act promptly.
  • For counterfeit items: submit clear comparison photos and, if possible, an official brand inspection statement.
  • For damaged items: provide photos of outer packaging showing damage, plus an unboxing video with timestamps.
  • If DHgate mediation fails, contact your payment provider (credit card company or PayPal) to file a chargeback.

Additional Notes

  • DHgate is a wholesale marketplace based in China — shipping times are typically 15–45 days for standard shipping and 5–15 days for express.
  • Unboxing videos are strongly recommended for all orders, especially high-value items — they provide the strongest evidence in disputes.
  • DHgate does not offer automatic refunds for 'item not as described' — photographic/video evidence meeting strict upload criteria is required.
  • Side-by-side comparison photos with the original listing are essential for 'not as described' claims.
  • DHgate customer service typically responds within 24–36 hours.
  • Your credit card company may be your strongest advocate when dealing with unresponsive sellers — credit card chargebacks have independent review processes.
  • Payment methods accepted: Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, Masterpass, and bank transfer.

What Redditors Are Saying

Search on Reddit