The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation conducted a legal assessment of the rules governing the use of the Wildberries online trading platform and examined the legality of the marketplace’s decision to charge a fee for returning a purchased item. This information was disclosed by the audit department in its press service. The review focused on how the platform manages relationships among the marketplace, sellers, and buyers, aiming to ensure compliance with consumer protection and market regulation standards.
According to the official statement, roughly twenty provisions that regulate interactions between the marketplace, merchants, and customers have undergone changes. The updated framework introduces several clarifications and procedural adjustments intended to align the platform’s practices with contemporary legal expectations in e-commerce.
Under the new rules, delivery timelines can be extended by mutual agreement between the seller and the buyer. Consumers retain an unequivocal right to refuse delivery of ordered goods, including technically complex devices, without penalties, within the stipulated terms. The period allocated for reviewing a compensation claim related to a replacement product has been shortened, and the option to cancel orders through a user’s personal account has been added. These changes reflect a shift toward greater flexibility for buyers while preserving merchant interests.
Additionally, the return-cost policy for goods of adequate quality remains conditional. Reimbursement of delivery expenses to restore a product to marketable condition will be considered only when the buyer’s share of the order payment is relatively low or when the shipment travels a considerable distance from the warehouse to the customer. This nuance aims to balance consumer protection with the operational realities of logistics networks.
On October 9, Wildberries introduced a new commission for purchases paid with Visa and MasterCard, amounting to an extra 3 percent of the product price. The development drew sharp commentary from public figures; for example, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy Mikhail Delyagin labeled the change as robbery. Following the incident, representatives of Wildberries were summoned to the prosecutor’s office for clarification and discussion. These developments have been publicly analyzed elsewhere by media outlets and legal observers. (Source: Newspapers.Ru)
In related guidance, consumer advocates have periodically advised buyers on how to recognize and avoid scammers when using online marketplaces. The evolving policy landscape underscores the importance of understanding returns, refunds, and charge policies, as well as how these rules interact with payment methods and delivery logistics. The overarching goal remains to protect shoppers while ensuring fair competition among market participants and clarity in the platform’s procedures. (Source: Newspapers.Ru)
Overall, the Russian market’s regulatory scrutiny of the Wildberries platform reflects a broader trend toward formalizing e-commerce rules. It highlights ongoing tensions between consumer rights, merchant flexibility, and the cost structures embedded in digital marketplaces. Stakeholders across the sector are watching closely to see how these adjustments will affect buyer confidence, merchant operations, and the regulatory environment in the months ahead.