What Mastercard 4855 means
The cardholder paid but did not receive the goods or services. Under 4853, where no delivery date was specified, the issuer generally waits 30 days from the transaction before charging back, unless the merchant has stopped trading.
Common causes
- Lost or stolen parcels
- Long shipping delays without updates
- Preorders that never shipped
- Friendly fraud claims of non-delivery
Evidence that answers it
- Carrier delivery scan to the checkout shipping address, with signature for high values
- Proof the latest promised delivery date has not passed
- Customer messages acknowledging delivery or later use
- Access logs for digital goods or services
How to prevent it
- Tracked shipping on every order and signature above a value threshold
- Delay notices with an option to cancel
- Delivery notifications with the tracking link
Time limits and caveats
Legacy code consolidated into 4853. The 4853 time frame for goods not provided runs up to 120 days from the latest anticipated delivery date.
How Verdikx helps with 4855
Verdikx maps 4855 to its not-received playbook and builds delivery proof from Shopify fulfillment and tracking, plus AfterShip checkpoints (beta) where connected; direct UPS, FedEx and USPS adapters are coming soon. Helpdesk conversations (beta) can show the customer discussed the delivered item.
Frequently asked questions
What does Mastercard reason code 4855 mean?
Mastercard 4855 Goods or Services Not Provided is a legacy code; the claim is now the 'Goods or Services Not Provided' sub-reason of 4853. It means the cardholder says the order never arrived or the service never happened. It is often winnable with carrier proof of delivery to the address given at checkout.
Is Mastercard 4855 worth fighting?
Our reference rates 4855 (Goods or Services Not Provided (legacy)) often winnable with the right evidence. The evidence that answers it starts with proof the latest promised delivery date has not passed. The cardholder's bank decides the outcome.
How long does a cardholder have to file a Mastercard 4855 chargeback?
Usually 120 days from the later of the transaction and the (expected) delivery date, under the network's issuer time limits. Your processor gives you far less time to respond, so work from the due date on the case.
Answer your next 4855 with the right evidence.
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Sources
- Mastercard Chargeback Guide, Merchant Edition (13 May 2025) (checked October 5, 2026)
- Rapyd Acquiring Dispute Operation Guide: Mastercard (legacy code consolidation) (checked October 5, 2026)
Last reviewed by Verdikx Research.