What Visa 13.8 means
Funds sent to a card through an Original Credit Transaction were not accepted, either because the cardholder declined them or because the issuer cannot accept OCTs on that card under local law.
Common causes
- Payouts sent to card types that cannot receive OCTs
- Payouts to the wrong cardholder
- Cardholders refusing an unexpected credit
Evidence that answers it
- Proof the original credit transaction was reversed
- A cardholder letter or email withdrawing the dispute
How to prevent it
- Check card eligibility for OCT payouts before sending
- Confirm payout details with the recipient
Time limits and caveats
Collaboration workflow. Issuer time limit: 120 calendar days from the OCT processing date. Most e-commerce merchants never see 13.8; it matters for marketplaces, gaming and payout businesses.
How Verdikx helps with 13.8
Verdikx recognizes 13.8 and maps it to its processing-error playbook, which relies on processor records rather than product or delivery evidence. For a payout dispute, the reversal record from your processor is the only remedy; otherwise accept.
Frequently asked questions
What does Visa reason code 13.8 mean?
Visa 13.8 applies to Original Credit Transactions (OCTs), payouts pushed to a card, when the cardholder refuses the credit or local law does not allow OCTs on that card type. It does not involve a sale. Accept it unless you can show the OCT was already reversed.
Is Visa 13.8 worth fighting?
Our reference rates 13.8 (Original Credit Transaction Not Accepted) usually one to accept: a response rarely changes the outcome. The evidence that answers it starts with proof the original credit transaction was reversed. The cardholder's bank decides the outcome.
How long does a cardholder have to file a Visa 13.8 chargeback?
Usually 120 days from the transaction 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 13.8 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)
Last reviewed by Verdikx Research.