What Visa 13.4 means
The merchandise received has been identified as counterfeit by an authorized party. The dispute applies even if the goods were not yet received, when the cardholder was told the order was counterfeit.
Common causes
- Sourcing branded goods from unauthorized resellers or gray-market suppliers
- Marketplace or dropship suppliers substituting fakes
- Customs seizures of counterfeit shipments
Evidence that answers it
- Purchase invoices from authorized distributors or the brand
- Certificates of authenticity and serial numbers matching the shipped item
- Authorized reseller agreements
- Evidence that refutes the third party's determination
How to prevent it
- Buy branded goods only from authorized distributors and keep the invoices
- Record serial numbers before shipping high-value branded items
- Audit dropship suppliers regularly
Time limits and caveats
Collaboration workflow. Issuer time limit: 120 calendar days from the processing date or the date the cardholder received the merchandise, never beyond 540 days. Return policies do not apply to this condition.
How Verdikx helps with 13.4
Verdikx maps 13.4 to its not-as-described playbook with the counterfeit note: proof of authenticity from your supplier is the deciding evidence, so the checklist asks you to attach invoices and certificates. The AI draft states the provenance facts plainly for your review.
Frequently asked questions
What does Visa reason code 13.4 mean?
Visa 13.4 means the goods were identified as counterfeit by the brand owner, customs, law enforcement, another government agency or a neutral expert. The cardholder does not have to return them. It is rarely winnable: you need invoices and supplier documentation proving the items are genuine.
Is Visa 13.4 worth fighting?
Our reference rates 13.4 (Counterfeit Merchandise) rarely winnable, so check the facts before spending time on a response. The evidence that answers it starts with purchase invoices from authorized distributors or the brand. The cardholder's bank decides the outcome.
How long does a cardholder have to file a Visa 13.4 chargeback?
Usually 120 days from the later of the transaction and the (expected) delivery date, never more than 540 days after the transaction, 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 13.4 with the right evidence.
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Sources
- Visa Core Rules and Visa Product and Service Rules (18 April 2026), Chapter 11 Dispute Resolution (checked October 5, 2026)
- Visa: Dispute Management Guidelines for Visa Merchants (June 2024) (checked October 5, 2026)
- Stripe Docs: Dispute reason codes (checked October 5, 2026)
Last reviewed by Verdikx Research.