Starting October 1, 2026, the rules governing refunds for purchases made through online marketplaces will become standardized. Marketplaces will no longer be able to set their own deadlines for refunding money for returned goods. Once a customer submits a refund request, the funds must be returned through the platform within no more than 10 days.
According to TASS, marketplaces previously had the right to determine their own refund periods, meaning that customers could face different conditions depending on the platform they used.
The marketplace itself is not financially responsible for transferring the refund. When an order was paid for through the platform, the marketplace only provides the technical means to process the return. The seller makes the final decision on whether the money should be refunded and is responsible for transferring the funds to the customer.
The basic rules for returning goods of proper quality remain largely unchanged. Before receiving an order, a customer may refuse it at any time. After delivery, a return is generally possible within seven days. When the product is of proper quality and the return is not caused by a defect, the customer is responsible for the cost of shipping the item back.
Kirill Karpov, Associate Professor at the Department of Financial Law at the O. E. Kutafin University, noted that marketplace apps and websites should introduce new interface options related to the return of defective goods and the updated refund procedures.
He also advised customers to open packages carefully and avoid damaging tags, barcodes, or other product identification elements, as their condition may affect the return process.
The main purpose of the changes is to standardize refund deadlines and strengthen consumer protection. Previously, different marketplaces applied different timeframes, which created unequal conditions and could delay the return of funds. Under the new rules, all platforms must comply with a uniform maximum period of 10 days from the date the refund request is submitted, making the procedure more transparent and predictable.
According to TASS, marketplaces previously had the right to determine their own refund periods, meaning that customers could face different conditions depending on the platform they used.
The marketplace itself is not financially responsible for transferring the refund. When an order was paid for through the platform, the marketplace only provides the technical means to process the return. The seller makes the final decision on whether the money should be refunded and is responsible for transferring the funds to the customer.
The basic rules for returning goods of proper quality remain largely unchanged. Before receiving an order, a customer may refuse it at any time. After delivery, a return is generally possible within seven days. When the product is of proper quality and the return is not caused by a defect, the customer is responsible for the cost of shipping the item back.
Kirill Karpov, Associate Professor at the Department of Financial Law at the O. E. Kutafin University, noted that marketplace apps and websites should introduce new interface options related to the return of defective goods and the updated refund procedures.
He also advised customers to open packages carefully and avoid damaging tags, barcodes, or other product identification elements, as their condition may affect the return process.
The main purpose of the changes is to standardize refund deadlines and strengthen consumer protection. Previously, different marketplaces applied different timeframes, which created unequal conditions and could delay the return of funds. Under the new rules, all platforms must comply with a uniform maximum period of 10 days from the date the refund request is submitted, making the procedure more transparent and predictable.
