Can Alipay customers file chargebacks?

No. Stripe says Alipay doesn't support the standard dispute process, so customers can't file a chargeback. They can ask you for a refund, full or partial, within 90 days.

Can I take subscriptions with Alipay?

Only with access to Alipay's recurring payments private preview, which is invite-only and needs individual approval from Alipay.

Does my website need anything special for Alipay?

Yes. Stripe says it must be publicly reachable without a login, clearly show what you sell, prices and delivery terms, and disclose drop-shipping.

Digital wallets · Payment methods

Alipay for online stores: how to accept payments from Chinese shoppers

Checked October 31, 2026

Alipay is a Chinese digital wallet that Stripe says has more than a billion active users. The shopper signs in to Alipay or scans a QR code with the Alipay app and approves the payment within five minutes, seeing the price in Chinese yuan. Stripe offers it to businesses in 39 countries for customers in China. Customers cannot file chargebacks, refunds are allowed for 90 days, and recurring payments are invite-only.

Type: Digital wallet, single-use
Customer location: China
Business locations (Stripe): 39 countries, including the US, Canada, UK, most of Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore
Currencies: AUD, CAD, CHF, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, MYR, NZD, SGD, USD; shoppers see CNY
Limits: 0.50 USD to 999,999.99 USD
Refunds: Within 90 days, full or partial; complete in about 5 minutes
Disputes: No chargebacks
Recurring payments: Invite-only private preview, needs Alipay's approval

What PlatformDTC does

PlatformDTC checkout does not offer Alipay today. Shoppers from China can pay by card, including UnionPay unless the store has refused that brand, with Apple Pay, or with PayPal when the store prices in one of PayPal's currencies.

How a shopper pays with Alipay

On a phone, the shopper continues in the Alipay app or mobile site. On a computer, they sign in to Alipay or scan the QR code on screen with the Alipay app. They review the amount and exchange rate, approve within five minutes, and return to the store.

What it means for your store

Because shoppers approve every payment in the Alipay app, Alipay has no standard dispute process: customers can't file a chargeback and money is never pulled from your balance for a dispute. A customer who complains to Alipay may be sent back to you for a refund.

Website rules: your site must be public without a login, show products, prices and delivery terms clearly, and say so if you drop-ship.
Prohibited categories include gambling, timeshares, rental real estate agents, fundraising, political and religious organisations.
Stripe Billing and Checkout subscriptions don't support Alipay without the recurring preview.

Frequently asked questions

Can Alipay customers file chargebacks?: No. Stripe says Alipay doesn't support the standard dispute process, so customers can't file a chargeback. They can ask you for a refund, full or partial, within 90 days.
Can I take subscriptions with Alipay?: Only with access to Alipay's recurring payments private preview, which is invite-only and needs individual approval from Alipay.
Does my website need anything special for Alipay?: Yes. Stripe says it must be publicly reachable without a login, clearly show what you sell, prices and delivery terms, and disclose drop-shipping.

Sources

Alipay payments — Stripe
Currency codes — PayPal