Mastercard 4808 - Authorization-Related Chargeback

TL;DR

• Authorization was required and you didn't obtain it properly. That's the code
• It also catches deferred auth presented more than 7 calendar days after approval, refunds presented more than 5 days after the transaction, and CAT 3 device errors
• Chargeback window is 90 calendar days from settlement, 120 for ATM and Maestro in Europe
• You second present by proving a valid auth exists, that one auth covered a split shipment, or that you already refunded

Used when authorization was required but not properly obtained, or when authorization requirements were not met.

When This Code Applies

• Authorization was required but not obtained
• Deferred authorization (offline chip-approved) presented more than 7 calendar days after the authorization approval date
• Refund transaction presented more than 5 calendar days after transaction date
• Account not in good standing and authorization protection period expired
• Card-not-present authorization declined by issuer but approved through Stand-In or X-Code
• Transaction improperly occurred at CAT 3 device
• Transit First Ride Risk (FRR) claims

Transactions Ineligible for This Chargeback

• Properly identified Emergency Cash Advance transactions
• Properly identified contactless transit aggregated transactions meeting all conditions
• Taiwan domestic in-flight transactions (per AN 2491)

Time Frames

Region	Chargeback Window
Standard	90 calendar days from settlement date
Mainland China	5-90 calendar days from settlement date
ATM/Maestro (Europe)	120 calendar days from Central Site Business Date

Authorization Protection Periods

Authorization Type	Protection Period
Preauthorizations	30 calendar days
Final authorizations (India domestic)	4 calendar days (effective 3 April 2024)
Final authorizations (all other)	7 calendar days
Deferred authorizations	7 calendar days
Undefined authorizations	7 calendar days
Refund transactions	5 calendar days (effective 12 April 2024)

Source: Mastercard Transaction Processing Rules, 9 December 2025, sections 2.5.1 through 2.9. The clock starts on the authorization approval date, not the transaction date. Mastercard splits by authorization type, not by card-present versus card-not-present.

Once the period lapses, you don't have a late authorization. You have none. Section 2.8 says the approved amount of an authorization with an expired protection period "is deemed to be zero." That's why capturing on day 8 lands here and not somewhere softer.

You can extend the period on a preauthorization by submitting an additional preauthorization request for the same transaction, including a zero-amount one (section 2.9). That trick works on Mastercard and does nothing on Visa.

Gratuity Tolerances

Transaction Type	Tolerance
Chip and PIN	0%
Contactless	0%
QR transactions	0%
Final authorization coded	0%
Mainland China domestic	0%
US domestic card-not-present (MCC 5812, 5814)	30%
US domestic card-present	30%
All other card-present	20%

Currency Conversion Tolerance

A 10% tolerance exists for currency conversion differences between authorization and clearing dates.

Representment Options

The acquirer may second present when:

1. Authorization was properly obtained - Valid authorization exists for the transaction
2. One authorization covered multiple clearing records - Split shipment or partial fulfillment scenario
3. A refund was previously issued - Transaction was already credited
4. The chargeback was invalid - Doesn't meet reason code requirements

Required Documentation

For Chargeback	For Representment
None required	Proof of valid authorization

Second Presentment Time Frames

Region	Window
Standard	45 calendar days from chargeback settlement
Costa Rica domestic	10 calendar days
Kazakhstan domestic	30 calendar days
Nigeria domestic	2 business days
Tanzania domestic	20 calendar days

Message Text Requirements

When second presenting, include in DE 72:

• AUTH MMDDYY/NNNNNN (authorization date and approval code)

Prevention Tips

Best Practices

1. Always obtain authorization before processing - Never process without a valid auth
2. Clear transactions within protection periods - Don't let authorizations expire
3. Use proper authorization codes - Distinguish between preauth and final auth
4. Monitor for Stand-In approvals - These bypass issuer and may be declined later
5. Track authorization expiration - Set alerts before protection periods end

Common Mistakes

• Processing after authorization expiration
• Not obtaining auth for add-on charges
• Incorrect authorization amount vs. clearing amount
• Delayed clearing beyond protection window

Win Rate Expectations

Scenario	Expected Win Rate
Valid authorization exists	70-85%
Authorization expired but valid	30-50%
No authorization obtained	Under 10%

Related Codes

• 4807 - Warning Bulletin
• 4812 - Account Number Not on File

Next Steps

Got this chargeback?

1. Pull authorization logs → Do you have a valid auth code?
2. Check auth-to-capture timing → Did you exceed the protection period?
3. Gather evidence → Representment Workflow
4. Respond within 45 days (Mastercard)

Prevent future 4808 chargebacks:

1. Capture within the protection period (7 calendar days for a final auth, 30 for a flagged preauth)
2. Re-authorize if capturing later than protection period
3. Send an additional preauthorization to extend the clock, or proper incremental auth for changed amounts
4. Review authorization basics

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See Also

• Authorization Best Practices
• Time Frames Reference